Patent ID: 6580290
Filing Date: 2003-06-17
Classification: H03K

Abstract:
An output driver circuit comprising:a pull-up device connected between a high voltage terminal and an output node; a pull-down device connected between the output node and a low voltage terminal, the pull-down device and the pull-up device being configured to produce an output signal on the output node in response to an input signal; and a feedback loop connected to the output node and the pull-up device, the feedback loop being configured to selectively deactivate the pull-up device when the voltage of the output signal on the output node has exceeded a threshold voltage, the feedback loop including: a differential amplifier having an output, a first input and a second input, the first input being connected to the output node to receive the output signal, the second input being configured to receive a reference voltage; and a pass gate connected to the output of the differential amplifier and the pull-up device, the pass gate being configured to transmit a signal from the differential amplifier to the pull-up device when the pass gate is enabled.