Input buffer
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An input buffer comprising:
- a common gate amplifier having input terminals coupled to receive an incoming common mode voltage, wherein the common gate amplifier is configured to receive the incoming common mode voltage that extends beyond a supply voltage of the input buffer; and
a bias circuit coupled to provide a bias voltage to gate terminals of the common gate amplifier, wherein the bias circuit is configured to provide the bias voltage at a level higher than the supply voltage of the input buffer, the bias circuit having a diode-connected current mirror transistor and a bypass capacitor coupled in parallel therewith and coupled between a resistor pair and the gate terminals of the common gate amplifier.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In one embodiment, the present invention includes an input buffer with a common gate amplifier having input terminals coupled to receive an incoming common mode voltage. The common gate amplifier may be configured to receive the incoming common mode voltage over a wide range of levels extending from a low end lower than a supply voltage of the input buffer to a high end exceeding the supply voltage.
14 Citations
21 Claims
-
1. An input buffer comprising:
-
a common gate amplifier having input terminals coupled to receive an incoming common mode voltage, wherein the common gate amplifier is configured to receive the incoming common mode voltage that extends beyond a supply voltage of the input buffer; and a bias circuit coupled to provide a bias voltage to gate terminals of the common gate amplifier, wherein the bias circuit is configured to provide the bias voltage at a level higher than the supply voltage of the input buffer, the bias circuit having a diode-connected current mirror transistor and a bypass capacitor coupled in parallel therewith and coupled between a resistor pair and the gate terminals of the common gate amplifier. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A method comprising:
-
receiving an input common mode voltage at input terminals of a common gate amplifier of a first gain stage of an input buffer; directly amplifying and level shifting the input common mode voltage in the first gain stage of the input buffer from a first voltage that extends beyond a supply voltage of the input buffer to a second voltage no larger than the supply voltage; providing an output of the common gate amplifier to a second gain stage at the second voltage; providing an output of the second gain stage to a feedback circuit; controlling a first transistor of the input buffer with a first voltage generated by the feedback circuit; and controlling a second transistor of the input buffer with a second voltage generated by the feedback circuit, wherein the feedback circuit is gated by a feedback signal from the input buffer. - View Dependent Claims (13)
-
-
14. A system comprising:
-
a driver to transmit differential signals; and a buffer coupled to the driver, the buffer having a first gain stage coupled to receive the differential signals, wherein the first gain stage is configured to receive the differential signals at a voltage level that exceeds a supply voltage of the buffer, the buffer including a bias circuit to provide a bias voltage to gate terminals of the first gain stage, wherein the bias circuit is coupled to receive the differential signals and generate the bias voltage therefrom, the bias circuit having a diode-connected current mirror transistor and a bypass capacitor coupled in parallel therewith and coupled between a resistor pair and the gate terminals of the first gain stage, and a controllable current source coupled to the gate terminals of the first gain stage, the buffer further including a pair of diode stacks each having a first plurality of diodes coupled between the supply voltage of the buffer and an input terminal of the first gain stage and a second diode coupled between the input terminal and a ground voltage, and a voltage limiter coupled to output terminals of the first gain stage to limit an output voltage of the first gain stage to a predetermined level. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. An apparatus comprising:
-
means for receiving an input common mode voltage in an input buffer; gain stage means for directly amplifying and level shifting the input common mode voltage from a first voltage that extends beyond a supply voltage of the input buffer to a second voltage no larger than the supply voltage; and feedback means coupled to the gain stage means and between a bias voltage node of the gain stage means and a current source, the feedback means for receiving an output of a second gain stage means and independently controlling a first gate terminal and a second gate terminal of the gain stage means based on the output. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
-
Specification