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:
Jan. 16, 2001
Filed:
Jun. 21, 1999
Ah-Lyan Yee, Plano, TX (US);
Martin J. Izzard, Dallas, TX (US);
E. Ajith Amerasekepa, Plano, TX (US);
Texas Instruments Incorporated, Dallas, TX (US);
Abstract
An output driver device (,) includes a first output transistor (,) and a second output transistor (,) coupled to a bias transistor (,). The bias transistor (,) is coupled to a ground potential. The first output transistor (,) is coupled to a first output pad (,) and the second output transistor (,) is coupled to a second output pad (,). The output driver device (,) has a direct non-metal path to ground potential from either the first output pad (,) or the second output pad (,). In this manner, an electrostatic discharge device on either the first output pad (,) or the second output pad (,) can be absorbed through the first output transistor (,) or the second output transistor (,), respectively, and through the bias transistor (,) without damaging the output driver device (,).