Patent · US Expired

SSTL pull-up pre-driver design using regulated power supply

US6873503B2 · kind B2 · utility

8Cited by
9References
10Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 19, 2002
Grant dateMar 29, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 25, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH03K19/00315
  • WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A SSTL memory interface pre-driver stage that uses a voltage regulator to generate a ‘virtual’ ground reference voltage is provided. The ‘virtual’ ground voltage reference, being greater than a zero volt ground voltage, allows low voltage transistors to be used, thereby improving interface performance and decreasing system power consumption. The pre-driver stage uses a biasing circuit to bias the voltage regulator, formed by a transistor arranged in a source follower configuration, to generate the ‘virtual’ ground reference voltage off which a voltage translator stage of the pre-driver stage operates to generate an output of the pre-driver stage.

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