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. 30, 2011
Filed:
May. 18, 2009
Ronald A. Kapusta, Jr., Waltham, MA (US);
Katsu Nakamura, Andover, MA (US);
Eitake Ibaragi, Saitma, JP;
Ronald A. Kapusta, Jr., Waltham, MA (US);
Katsu Nakamura, Andover, MA (US);
Eitake Ibaragi, Saitma, JP;
Analog Devices, Inc., Norwood, MA (US);
Abstract
The invention is directed to an interface circuit for bridging voltage domains. The interface circuit receives an input signal, having a larger voltage domain, and safely provides the signal to an electronic device which has a smaller voltage domain. The interface circuit may include a transistor configured as a source follow so that an output of the transistor follows the input of the transistor. A blocking voltage may be provided at the input of the transistor to provide a voltage bias, blocking a range of input voltages to the transistor. The transistor may also have a blocking voltage at a drain terminal of the transistor, to block any output voltage above the blocking voltage.