Output drive circuit tolerant of higher voltage signals
US6018257A · kind A · utility
27Cited by
2References
9Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 23, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jan 25, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 23, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K19/00315
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An output drive circuit enables both 5V and 3V devices to be connected to the same bus, without exposing the 3V devices to damage from the 5V signals on the bus. The 3V devices utilize 3V output drives that are tolerant of the 5V signals on the bus. The tolerance is achieved by a circuit design which adjusts internal voltages depending upon the external voltage on the bus. The internal voltage adjustments prevent transistor voltage limits from being exceeded and hence prevent damage from occurring.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.