Patent ID: 6483766
Filing Date: 2002-11-19
Classification: G11C

Abstract:
A semiconductor interface circuit comprising:an input driver for producing a first and a second output signal having opposite phases to each other, said input driver being powered by an external power supply voltage; a cross-coupled sense amplifier, powered by an internal power supply voltage, for performing differential amplification by receiving the first output signal at a first input and receiving the second output signal at a second input, wherein a channel transistor receives a control signal at its gate, where its drain-source channel is connected between a common source terminal of the pair of inputs and a ground voltage; an output potential fixation element receiving the control signal through its gate with a source-drain channel connected between the internal power supply voltage and the output end for maintaining a potential of an output of the cross-coupled sense amplifier at a uniform potential proximal to a level of the internal power supply voltage when the output is at a high level; and an output driver, powered by the internal power supply voltage, for providing an output signal having a voltage level proximal to the level of the internal power supply voltage during an output mode, wherein the voltage of the internal power supply is lower than the voltage of the external power supply.