Patent ID: 7304530
Filing Date: 2007-12-04
Classification: H02M,H03K

Abstract:
1. An integrated circuit comprising: a circuit portion comprising transistors of a first transistor type of a first conductivity type, the first transistor type having a first threshold voltage of an absolute value less than a power supply voltage of the integrated circuit operably coupled to the circuit portion over an allowable range of the power supply voltage; and at least one switch circuit for selectively coupling a first node thereof to a second node thereof, the switch circuit comprising at least a transistor of a second transistor type, and of the first conductivity type, the second transistor type having a second threshold voltage higher in magnitude than the first threshold voltage, the switch circuit being responsive to at least a control signal having a first state and a second state, wherein the control signal has approximately a ground voltage during the first state and a first voltage level during the second state, the first voltage level being approximately the power supply voltage for at least some of the allowable range of the power supply voltage and the first voltage level being approximately the voltage greater than the power supply voltage for at least some of the allowable range of the power supply voltage.