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:
Mar. 21, 2000
Filed:
Aug. 25, 1997
Hector Sanchez, Cedar Park, TX (US);
Jose M Alvarez, Leander, TX (US);
Joshua Siegel, Austin, TX (US);
Carmine Nicoletta, Austin, TX (US);
Motorola, Inc., Schaumburg, IL (US);
Abstract
An output buffer translates digital input signals which toggle between ground and V.sub.DDL to signals which toggle between ground and V.sub.DDH. The technology dielectric breakdown voltage limit is less than the magnitude of V.sub.DDH, such that use of a traditional output stage would subject transistors' dielectrics to voltages which exceed their dielectric breakdown limit, and would thus be damaged. Predrive circuits (40, 50) control output stage (70) transistors' (72, 78) gates, and voltage dropping circuits control output stage (70) transistors (74, 76). These control signals are generated specifically to maximize output stage transistor drive strengths, thereby minimizing output stage size. Output buffer functions when V.sub.DDL =V.sub.DDH, and its performance is V.sub.DDL independent. Temperature compensation is incorporated into the output buffer by deliberately offsetting temperature effects on output stage transistor drive strengths. Desired performance and temperature compensation are accomplished without subjecting any dielectrics to voltages which exceed the technology dielectric breakdown limit.