The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 24, 1990
Filed:
Feb. 02, 1989
William K Waller, Boise, ID (US);
Thomas M Luich, Campbell, CA (US);
National Semiconductor Corporation, Santa Clara, CA (US);
Abstract
An ECL input buffer is particularly well-suited for use with logic arrays where a large amount of current must be sunk by the row line, for example, when vertical fuse devices are used in an AND array. The input buffer provides means for pulling down the row line such that the entire amount of current sunk by the input buffer from the row line need not pass through a current source, thereby minimizing current consumption of the input buffer. A pull down current source is used which causes a pull down transistor to turn on, thereby pulling down the row line while requiring only the base current of the pull down transistor to be consumed by the current source. A pull up device is utilized and means are included for insuring that the pull up and pull down devices are not both turned on simultaneously, thereby preventing a current spike through the pull up and pull down means.