Patent ID: 6181166
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: H03K

Abstract:
An interconnect driver circuit comprising:first series connected transistors coupled between voltage supply connections, the first series connected transistors to drive a first voltage signal on a first intercomnect in response to a data signal, the first voltage signal has a voltage swing which is less than a voltage differential between the voltage supply connections;second series connected transistors coupled between the voltage supply connections, the second series connected transistors to drive a second voltage signal on a second interconnect in response to a complement of the data signal, the second voltage signal has a voltage swing which is less than the voltage differential between the voltage supply connections;third series connected transistors coupled between the voltage supply connections comprising a first n-channel transistor having a gate coupled to the first interconnect and a second n-channel transistor having a gate coupled to the second interconnect; andfourth series connected transistors coupled between the voltage supply connections comprising a third n-channel transistor having a gate coupled to the first interconnect and a fourth n-channel transistor having a gate coupled to the second interconnect;wherein the first and second series transistors each comprise:a pull-up transistor connected between the first or second interconnect and an upper supply voltage connection; anda pull-down transistor connected between the first or second interconnect anda tri-state transistor, the tri-state transistor connected between the pull-down transistor and a lower supply voltage connection.