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:
Sep. 28, 2010
Filed:
Oct. 30, 2008
Michele Bartolini, I-20077 - Melegnano (MI), IT;
Pier Paolo Stoppino, I-20124-Milano, IT;
Paolo Pulici, I-20025-Legnano (MI), IT;
Gian Pietro Vanalli, I-24030-Almenno San Bartolomeo (BG), IT;
Michele Bartolini, I-20077 - Melegnano (MI), IT;
Pier Paolo Stoppino, I-20124-Milano, IT;
Paolo Pulici, I-20025-Legnano (MI), IT;
Gian Pietro Vanalli, I-24030-Almenno San Bartolomeo (BG), IT;
Other;
Abstract
An output buffer includes at least a first and a second stage, wherein each stage is formed by respective first transistors and second transistors coupled in series with each other between a first and a second voltage reference. The coupled first and second transistors have a common conduction terminal connected to an output terminal of the output buffer. An input terminal of the buffer is connected to control terminals of the transistors of the first stage through a first open loop driving circuit. A second feedback driving circuit is connected between the input terminal and the control terminals of the transistors of the second stage. The second feedback driving circuit includes a current detector operating to detect a maximum in the value of the current drawn by and supplied to the output buffer. A comparison block, having a threshold value, detects current in excess of the threshold value and processes information coming from the current detector to regulate an output impedance value of the output buffer. The current detector includes a duplicated structure which replicates a portion of the buffer circuit without altering the performances of the buffer itself.