I/O buffer with twice the supply voltage tolerance using normal supply voltage devices
First Claim
1. An I/O buffer with twice the supply voltage tolerance using normal supply voltage devices comprising:
- a driver, for receiving a mode control signal and a data output signal and generating a first driving signal and a second driving signal;
a first level converter, for receiving the first driving signal to convert a first voltage range of the first driving signal into a second voltage range and output a level translating signal;
a gate-controlled circuit, for receiving the mode control signal and an I/O terminal signal and generating a first gate-controlled signal and a second gate-controlled signal; and
a dynamic source output stage circuit having a first output circuit, a second output circuit and an I/O terminal, the first output circuit and the second output circuit having a plurality of transistors;
wherein the first output circuit is in the second voltage range and controlled by the level translating signal and the first gate-controlled signal;
the second output circuit is in the first voltage range and controlled by the second gate-controlled signal and the second driving signal, such that the voltage across any two terminals of the transistors is not higher than the normal supply voltage and the I/O terminal is used for transmitting or receiving double the supply voltage.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention relates to an I/O buffer with twice the supply voltage tolerance using normal supply voltage devices. The I/O buffer of the invention includes a driver, a first level converter, a gate-controlled circuit and a dynamic source output stage. Signals of the I/O buffer are classified into a first voltage range and a second voltage range. The first voltage range is zero to the normal supply voltage, and the second voltage range is the normal supply voltage to twice the supply voltage. Therefore, the voltage between any two terminals of any of the transistors in the I/O buffer does not exceed the normal supply voltage so that the I/O buffer of the invention can transmit and receive signals with a voltage swing twice as high as the normal power supply voltage using normal supply voltage devices and without gate-oxide reliability problems.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. An I/O buffer with twice the supply voltage tolerance using normal supply voltage devices comprising:
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a driver, for receiving a mode control signal and a data output signal and generating a first driving signal and a second driving signal; a first level converter, for receiving the first driving signal to convert a first voltage range of the first driving signal into a second voltage range and output a level translating signal; a gate-controlled circuit, for receiving the mode control signal and an I/O terminal signal and generating a first gate-controlled signal and a second gate-controlled signal; and a dynamic source output stage circuit having a first output circuit, a second output circuit and an I/O terminal, the first output circuit and the second output circuit having a plurality of transistors;
wherein the first output circuit is in the second voltage range and controlled by the level translating signal and the first gate-controlled signal;
the second output circuit is in the first voltage range and controlled by the second gate-controlled signal and the second driving signal, such that the voltage across any two terminals of the transistors is not higher than the normal supply voltage and the I/O terminal is used for transmitting or receiving double the supply voltage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification