Analog Devices,inc.

Stephan Goldstein

Bruce A Hecht

Javier Alejandro Salcedo

Robert A Duris

An interface circuit for controlling a cross-domain signal link between a first circuit domain and a second circuit domain in a circuit may include first and second controllers, each of the first and second controllers including a first input coupled to a first voltage source of the first circuit domain and a second input coupled to a second voltage source of the second circuit domain. The interface circuit may further include a first switch controlled by an output of the first controller, the first switch including a first end coupled to the cross-domain signal link and a second end coupled to a first defined voltage state, and a second switch controlled by an output of the second controller, the second switch including a first end coupled to the cross-domain signal link and a second end coupled to a second defined voltage state, in which during a power-up of the circuit, if one of the first and second voltage sources is unavailable, at least one of the first and second controllers generates a control signal to engage at least one of the first and second switches and pull the cross-domain signal link to one of the first and second defined voltage states, while providing cross-domain protection against field-induced charge device model (FICDM) stress conditions at small drivers and receiver inputs connected to the signal interface link.

Apparatus for interfacing circuit domains

An integrated circuit includes a micromachined transducer and a charge pump. More particularly, on one silicon substrate, a control circuit delivers high voltage from the charge pump to operate the transducer. An electronic apparatus, such as a cell phone or automatic test equipment may include such an integrated circuit.

Micromachined transducer integrated with a charge pump

An apparatus for conditioning an output waveform delivered from a testing device produces an output voltage that is the sum of a control voltage and an input voltage. To that end, the apparatus includes an input for receiving the input voltage, and an output capable of producing the output voltage. The output is coupled with the testing device. The apparatus further includes a voltage element coupled between the input and the output, and a switching element to alternatively charge and discharge the voltage element. The switching element controls the voltage element to change the control voltage between a first voltage and a second voltage. Consequently, the output voltage is the sum of the control voltage and the input voltage.

Circuit for conditioning output waveform

A clamp for use with a circuit (having an output for delivering an output voltage) forms a voltage boundary for the output voltage based upon a clamp voltage. To that end, the clamp includes a clamp input for receiving the clamp voltage, a clamp transistor in communication with the clamp input, and a control transistor in communication with the output. The clamp also includes a driving source for driving at least one of the clamp and control transistors based upon the voltage at the clamp input and the voltage at the output. The output is clamped at a voltage within the voltage boundary of the clamp voltage after the clamp transistor begins being driven by the driving source.

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North Reading, MA, United States of America

Stephan Goldstein