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:
Jun. 13, 2000
Filed:
Mar. 27, 1998
Jae-Yoon Sim, Kwangjukwangyeok, KR;
Hong-Joon Park, Pohang, KR;
Soo-In Cho, Seoul, KR;
Jung-Bae Lee, Gunpo, KR;
Samsung Electronics, Co., Ltd., Suwon, KR;
Abstract
A bidirectional input/output buffer operates in a current mode to increase the data transfer rate between devices connected by a bidirectional transmission line. The buffer includes an output current source for generating an output current responsive to a data output signal. The output current is combined with an output current indicative of a data input signal received from another device over a transmission line, thereby forming a mixed current signal. The data input signal is restored from the mixed signal by a restoring circuit that compares the mixed signal to a reference current that depends on the value of the data output signal. The restoring circuit includes a current mirror and a reference current source that generates a reference current in response to the data output signal. To provide additional performance, an embodiment of a bidirectional input/output buffer utilizes a switchless structure having two comparators that compare the mixed signal to two different reference signals, thereby generating two comparison signals. A selector circuit selects one of the two comparison signals as the restored data input signal responsive to the data output signal.