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:
Sep. 12, 2000
Filed:
Jun. 30, 1997
Richard C Li, Cupertino, CA (US);
Hy V Nguyen, San Jose, CA (US);
Xilinx, Inc., San Jose, CA (US);
Abstract
An output driver circuit including a first path from an output pad to ground through a first switch, and a second path from the output pad to ground through series-connected second and third switches. The first switch is directly connected to a pull-down signal source, and one of the second and third switches is connected to the pull-down signal source through a one-shot circuit. In a pull-up state, the first and second switches are opened, and the one-shot circuit generates a stabilized output signal which closes the third switch. When the output driver circuit switches to a pull-down state, the first switch is closed, thereby connecting the output pad to ground via the first path. The signal change also closes the second switch. In addition, due to a propagation delay of the second signal through the one-shot circuit, the third switch initially remains closed, thereby also connecting the output pad to ground via the second path. The one-shot circuit then opens the third switch before the output pad fully discharges. Subsequently, the one-shot circuit returns to its stabilized state and closes the third switch, thereby connecting the substantially fully discharged output pad to ground through both the first and second paths.