Method and apparatus for signal level conversion with clamped capacitive bootstrap
US4835420A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 17, 1987 |
| Grant date | May 30, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 17, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K19/01812
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for converting input signals at one predetermined logic level to output signals at corresponding different logic levels includes differential amplification of input signals with a first output of a differential amplifier connected for establishing a voltage level between voltage limits V.sub.cc and V.sub.ee at the output of an output driver in response to variations in amplifier output. A pull-down transistor has a collector connected to the output driver output, an emitter connected to the V.sub.ee voltage source, and a base capacitively coupled to the second amplifier output. In further aspects of the invention, a voltage clamp embracing a transistor with a base connected to receive a predetermined control voltage has an emitter connected to the pull-down transistor base and a collector connected to the V.sub.cc voltage source.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.