摘要:
A buffer circuit is configured to generate an output signal which is a function of an input signal received by the buffer circuit, the buffer circuit being selectively operative in one of at least two modes in response to a control signal. In a first mode, the buffer circuit is configured to provide a low output impedance, characteristic of a digital buffer. In a second mode, the buffer circuit is configured to limit an output current of the buffer circuit. The control signal is indicative of a level of the output signal of the buffer circuit.
摘要:
An IC having improved reliability includes at least first and second circuit blocks and at least first and second power domains, the first circuit block being connected to the first power domain and the second circuit block being connected to the second power domain. The IC further includes at least one control circuit configured to generate at least first and second control signals. The first control signal is operative to selectively connect the first power domain to a first voltage supply, and the second control signal is operative to selectively connect the second power domain to a second voltage supply. The IC includes at least first and second clamp circuits, the first clamp circuit being connected to the first power domain, the second clamp circuit being connected to the second power domain. Each of the clamp circuits is operative to prevent a voltage on a corresponding power domain from rising above a prescribed voltage level for the corresponding power domain.
摘要:
A buffer circuit operative at multiple power supply voltage levels includes first and second buffers, the first buffer being configured for operation with a first voltage source and the second buffer being operative with a second voltage source. The buffer circuit further includes a controllable isolation circuit. An output of the first buffer connects to an external pad of the buffer circuit, and an output of the second buffer connects to the pad via the isolation circuit. The buffer circuit is selectively operative in at least a first mode or a second mode in response to at least a first control signal. The isolation circuit is operative in the first mode to substantially isolate the second buffer from the external pad and is operative in the second mode to connect the output of the second buffer to the external pad.
摘要:
A circuit for selectively bypassing a capacitive element includes at least one NMOS device selectively connectable across the capacitive element to be bypassed, and at least first and second PMOS devices. The PMOS devices are selectively connectable together in series across the capacitive element to be bypassed. The NMOS device provides a first bypass path and the first and second PMOS devices collectively provide a second bypass path.
摘要:
A compensated buffer circuit operative in one of at least a first mode and a second mode includes a plurality of output blocks and a plurality of predrivers, each of the predrivers having an output connected to an input of a corresponding one of the output blocks. Respective outputs of the output blocks are connected together and form an output of the buffer circuit. The output blocks are arranged in a sequence and are binary weighted such that a drive strength of a given one of the output blocks is about twice as large as a drive strength of an output block immediately preceding the given output block. Each of the predrivers selectively enables the corresponding output block connected thereto as a function of a control signal supplied to the predriver for compensating the buffer circuit for PVT variations to which the buffer circuit may be subjected. The respective control signals supplied to the predrivers collectively represent a binary code word, the binary code word in the second mode being equivalent to an arithmetic shift of the binary code word in the first mode.
摘要:
An IC having improved reliability includes at least first and second circuit blocks and at least first and second power domains, the first circuit block being connected to the first power domain and the second circuit block being connected to the second power domain. The IC further includes at least one control circuit configured to generate at least first and second control signals. The first control signal is operative to selectively connect the first power domain to a first voltage supply, and the second control signal is operative to selectively connect the second power domain to a second voltage supply. The IC includes at least first and second clamp circuits, the first clamp circuit being connected to the first power domain, the second clamp circuit being connected to the second power domain. Each of the clamp circuits is operative to prevent a voltage on a corresponding power domain from rising above a prescribed voltage level for the corresponding power domain.
摘要:
A circuit for defining a voltage potential of a floating well in which is formed at least one metal-oxide-semiconductor device includes a sense circuit operative to detect a voltage at a node to which the floating well is connected and to generate a control signal indicative of whether the voltage at the node is substantially within a voltage range. A lower value of the voltage range is substantially equal to a threshold voltage below a first supply voltage of the circuit. An upper value of the voltage range is substantially equal to a threshold voltage above the first supply voltage. The circuit for defining the voltage potential of the floating well further includes a voltage generator circuit operative to receive the control signal and to generate a bias signal for setting a voltage potential of the well in response to the control signal, the bias signal being controlled throughout the voltage range.
摘要:
A buffer design for an integrated circuit that has adjustable slew rate control, yet requires significantly less space to fabricate than does a conventional buffer with slew rate control. A new slew rate control circuit design is added to a Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor CMOS buffer to implement slew rate control in the buffer (e.g., selection between a high slew rate and a low slew rate). The new slew rate control circuit requires significantly less space to fabricate, and when applied to each buffer in an given integrated circuit, e.g., input/output buffers that may be placed along the periphery of the integrated circuit, the savings can be extraordinary.
摘要:
An ESD protection circuit includes a first voltage clamp, connected between a first voltage supply node and a second voltage supply node of the circuit, and a second voltage clamp, connected between the second voltage supply node and a voltage return of the circuit. The first voltage supply node is adapted to receive a first voltage which is greater than a prescribed gate oxide reliability potential of the circuit. The second voltage supply node is operative to receive a second voltage which is less than the first voltage. The first voltage clamp is operative to clamp the first voltage on the first voltage supply node to a first value during an ESD event between the first and second voltage supply nodes, and the second voltage clamp is operative to clamp the second voltage on the second voltage supply node to a second value during an ESD event between the second voltage supply node and the voltage return.
摘要:
A circuit having an enhanced input signal range includes a differential amplifier operative to receive at least first and second signals and to generate a difference signal at an output thereof which is a function of the difference between the first and second signals. The differential amplifier includes an input stage having at least first and second transistors having a first threshold voltage associated therewith and being operative to receive the first and second signals, respectively, and a load including at least third and fourth transistors having a second threshold voltage associated therewith, the first threshold voltage being greater than the second threshold voltage. The circuit further includes an output stage coupled to the differential amplifier and operative to receive the difference signal and to generate an output signal of the circuit that is indicative of the difference signal and is referenced to the supply voltage of the circuit.