Patent · US Expired

Level conversion circuit

US4782251A · kind A · utility

16Cited by
3References
4Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 6, 1987
Grant dateNov 1, 1988
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 6, 2007

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH03K19/017527
  • WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Level conversion circuit for converting CMOS logic level signals to ECL logic level signals. The level conversion circuit includes: a level shift circuit which receives as input a CMOS logic level signal and a CMOS logic level signal of opposite logic level to the first-mentioned CMOS logic level signal, and which supplies a base potential that effects operation of a bipolar transistor in the unsaturated region and a base potential at which the bipolar transistor becomes non-conducting; a differential amplifier circuit inserted between a high-potential voltage source and a low-potential voltage source and that selects the path of current flowing from the high-potential voltage source to the low-potential voltage source by controlling bipolar transistors whose emitter terminals are mutually connected and whose conduction is controlled by said base potentials; and a bipolar transistor that is conduction controlled by one of the collector potentials of said bipolar transistors and that outputs an ECL logic level signal from its emitter terminal.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.