Patent · US Expired

Input/output driver circuit for isolating with minimal power consumption a peripheral component from a core section

US5561384A · kind A · utility

48Cited by
1References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 8, 1995
Grant dateOct 1, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 8, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH03K19/0016
  • WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Within an integrated circuit, an input/output driver circuit is provided. The input/output driver circuit is configured to provide electrical isolation and power savings when the integrated circuit is configured into a computer system such as a personal information device. By providing a mechanism permitting removal of power from the driver circuit, the integrated circuit inhibits current flow from the integrated circuit into a powered-down peripheral device. A force term is activated, when electrical isolation is desired, to inhibit current flow into or from the integrated circuit via an input/output pad voltage level. A power savings is enabled by allowing the power down of peripheral devices coupled to the integrated circuit without the need for external buffer circuits.

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