Patent · US Active

Reversible input/output delay line for bidirectional input/output blocks

US7589557B1 · kind B1 · utility

28Cited by
4References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 18, 2006
Grant dateSep 15, 2009
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 28, 2026

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH03K19/01759
  • WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An input/output (I/O) structure includes a delay element usable for the input path, the output path, or both input and output paths in a user design. In a first mode, the delay element is included in the input path. In a second mode, the delay element is included in the output path. In a third mode, the I/O structure includes the delay in both outgoing signal paths and incoming signal paths, e.g., by utilizing an output tristate signal to control the direction of the delay line. When the output buffer is driving, the delay is inserted in the output path. When the output buffer is tristated, the delay is inserted in the input path. Thus, a single delay element is dynamically shared by both input and output signals that use the same I/O pad. In an optional fourth mode, the delay element is bypassed by both input and output signals.

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