Patent ID: 6603334
Filing Date: 2003-08-05
Classification: G11C,H03K

Abstract:
A driver circuit that is connected to a first power supply and a second power supply and drives an output signal line in accordance with an input signal, comprising:first means for driving said output signal line to a prescribed potential between the potential of said first power supply and the potential of said second power supply when said input signal is at a first logic level, said first means being connected to said first power supply; second means for driving said output signal line to the potential of said second power supply when said input signal is at a second logic level, said second means being connected to said second power supply; third means for preventing the potential of said output signal line from fluctuating toward the potential of said first power supply as seen from said prescribed potential; an internal power supply line that is maintained at a potential not larger than said prescribed potential, and wherein said third means comprises a transistor of a first conduction type connected between said output signal line and said internal power supply line; and a compensation circuit that prevents the potential of said internal power supply line from fluctuating toward the potential of said first power supply as seen from said prescribed potential, wherein: said first means is a first transistor of a second conduction type connected between said first power supply and said output signal line; said second means is a second transistor of said second conduction type connected between said second power supply and said output signal line; and said compensation circuit includes detection means for detecting fluctuation of the potential of said internal power supply line toward the potential of said first power supply as seen from said prescribed potential, and means for connecting said internal power supply line to said second power supply in response to the result of detection by said detection means.