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. 09, 2007
Filed:
Sep. 12, 2003
Josephus A. E. P. Van Engelen, Aliso Viejo, CA (US);
Yee Ling Cheung, Irvine, CA (US);
Mark J Chambers, Mission Viejo, CA (US);
Darwin Cheung, Irvine, CA (US);
Josephus A. E. P. van Engelen, Aliso Viejo, CA (US);
Yee Ling Cheung, Irvine, CA (US);
Mark J Chambers, Mission Viejo, CA (US);
Darwin Cheung, Irvine, CA (US);
Broadcom Corporation, Irvine, CA (US);
Abstract
A signal driving system generates an output swinging between a first power supply (e.g., about 1.2 Volts), powering first and second drivers, and a second power supply (e.g., about 3.3 Volts), powering a first current mirror. The second power supply is generated external to the signal driving system and is used to allow for a desired common-mode differential output signal range. However, the second power supply produces voltage at a level above a rating of the devices in the signal driving system. Therefore, protection devices are used to protect the elements of the signal driving system from the second power supply. Accordingly, through use of the signal driving system of the present invention, a high voltage current mode driver can operate in a low voltage process without damaging the devices in the signal driving system.