Low-power multi-level pulse amplitude modulation driver and semiconductor device having the driver

Abstract

A low-power multi-level pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) driver, and a semiconductor device having the same, in which the multi (M)-level PAM driver includes a load unit, first and second current sources, a pair of first input transistors, a pair of second input transistors, and a current source controller, where M is an integer greater than 3. The load unit is electrically connected to an output terminal, and the first and second current sources respectively supply a first amount of current and a second amount of current to the load unit. The pair of first input transistors electrically connects the first current source and the load unit in response to a first bit signal, and the pair of the second input transistors electrically connects the second current source and the load unit in response to a second bit signal. The current source controller activates or deactivates one of the first and second current sources in response to the first and second bit signals. Accordingly, current sources for a multi-level PAM driver are selectively activated or deactivated, thereby minimizing power consumption in the multi-level PAM driver.