Patent · US Active

Input-output device protection

US8395433B2 · kind B2 · utility

9Cited by
3References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 20, 2010
Grant dateMar 12, 2013
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 7, 2031

Classification

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

Abstract

A cascoded input-output device is provided configured to receive at an input node a lower voltage input signal and to generate at an output node a higher voltage output signal. The input-output device is split into two voltage domains to enable output signals in a larger range to be generated, while the components of the input-output device individually operate in a smaller range. By applying a selected bias voltage to a protected node of the cascoded input-output device, first changing that selected bias voltage in response to a transition of the input signal and then switching that selected bias voltage back when the output signal reaches a predetermined level, that node is protected, either avoiding stress-inducing voltage swings or providing a switching speed increasing charge boost.

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