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:
Aug. 28, 2001
Filed:
Mar. 30, 1998
Applicant:
Inventors:
Joseph D. Wert, Arlington, TX (US);
Dan E. Daugherty, Burleson, TX (US);
Richard L. Duncan, Bedford, TX (US);
Assignee:
National Semiconductor Corp., Santa Clara, CA (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
H03K 1/90175 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
H03K 1/90175 ;
Abstract
An output buffer circuit includes multiple programmable boost drive stages which allow selection of one of several drive strengths to accommodate a range of output load conditions, thereby achieving low noise and low power dissipation. In one embodiment, one or more of the boost circuits turn on after the primary driver circuit is turned on, and turn off before the primary circuit is turned off, thereby achieving soft turn-on and turn-off.