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.

Date of Patent:
Jul. 11, 2017

Filed:

Nov. 18, 2016
Applicant:

Cadence Design Systems, Inc., San Jose, CA (US);

Inventors:

Jean-Francois Delage, Montreal, CA;

Philippe Salib, Laval, CA;

Guillaume Fortin, Montreal, CA;

Assignee:

Cadence Design Systems, Inc., San Jose, CA (US);

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
H03K 17/16 (2006.01); H03K 19/003 (2006.01); H03K 19/00 (2006.01); H03K 19/0175 (2006.01); H03K 17/687 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
H03K 19/0016 (2013.01); H03K 17/6872 (2013.01); H03K 19/0005 (2013.01); H03K 19/017509 (2013.01);
Abstract

A system, method, and circuits for power efficient margining in a differential output driver that includes segments connected to outputs of the driver. Each segment can be configured independently to different states by activating corresponding transistor combinations. In a transmitting state, the transistors transmit data by establishing current paths between the driver outputs and a positive supply rail or a ground rail. In a margining state, the transistors are statically configured to form current paths that differ from those of the transmitting state, such that the segment contributes substantially a same differential impedance between the driver outputs as would be contributed by the segment when in the transmitting state, while contributing a different common mode impedance than in the transmitting state. The current paths of the margining state extend through transistors that transmit data in the transmitting state.


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