Patent ID: 6433613
Filing Date: 2002-08-13
Classification: H03K

Abstract:
A translation switch circuit for translating an electrical signal from a first node to a second node, wherein the first node referenced to by a first power supply having a potential greater than the potential of a second power supply referencing the second node, the circuit comprising:a transfer transistor having a drain coupled to the first node and a source coupled to the second node; a gate control circuit including a pseudorail generator circuit and an inverter, wherein said pseudorail generator circuit is supplied by the first power supply, and wherein an output of said pseudorail generator circuit is a pseudorail line that is connected to said inverter, and wherein an output of said inverter is coupled to a gate of said transfer transistor; and wherein said pseudorail generator circuit includes a voltage reference circuit having a high-potential node coupled to the first power supply and a low-potential node coupled to a bias pulldown circuit, wherein said bias pulldown circuit has an input coupled to a potential referencing circuit that biases said bias pulldown circuit to be on in a steady-state condition and will permit current amplification with a rise in potential of said pseudorail, and wherein said pseudorail is coupled to said low-potential node of said voltage reference circuit.