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:
May. 13, 2008
Filed:
Jun. 28, 2006
Atsushi Ohshima, Tokyo, JP;
Toshihiro Nomura, Yokohama, JP;
Howard Maassen, San Jose, CA (US);
Credence Systems Corporation, Milpitas, CA (US);
Abstract
A driver block for a differential pin driver that supports out-of-band signaling. The driver block includes a main enable switch that is controlled by a high speed driver inhibit (DINH) signal. The main enable switch controls coupling between a main current source and a differential pin driver output stage. The main enable switch is coupled in series with an output select switch that selects between a positive output and a negative output. The driver block also includes a positive enable switch for controlling coupling between the positive output and a positive level shifter that shifts voltages of the positive output. The driver block also includes a negative enable switch for controlling coupling between the negative output and a negative level shifter that shifts voltages of the negative output.