Break-before-make predriver and level-shifter
US7843234B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 14, 2004 |
| Grant date | Nov 30, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 14, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K17/08122
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A break-before-make predriver for disabling a PFET of an output driver before enabling an NFET, and vice versa. The predriver includes an input inverter, two cross-coupled inverters, and output buffers. The predriver provides enhanced break-before-make action through sizing the NFETs larger than the PFETs in the predriver's cross-coupled inverters. The input inverter, the cross-coupled inverters and the first and second output buffers are sized with respect to each other such that substantially equal break before make action is provided on both rising and falling edges. The predriver also includes level-shifting capabilities through a different voltage supply at the PFETs of the cross-coupled inverter. The predriver also includes two data output nodes for connection to the two inputs of an output driver. The predriver provides for tristate action by disabling the signal from the predriver output nodes.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.