Patent ID: 7292075
Filing Date: 2007-11-06
Classification: H03K

Abstract:
1. A pad driver circuit for driving input/output pads of an integrated circuit, the pad driver circuit comprising: a charging source follower circuit having a pre-charge voltage source adapted for receiving signals from a pre-charge voltage generator such that the pre-charge voltage source can maintain at least a first transistor within the charging source follower circuit saturated at a threshold voltage related to the first transistor, the pre-charge voltage source being between an input to the pad driver circuit and the first transistor, wherein a pre-charge switch is between the pre-charge voltage source and the pre-charge voltage generator; and a discharging source follower circuit having a pre-discharge voltage source adapted for receiving signals from a pre-discharge voltage generator such that the pre-discharge voltage source can maintain at least a second transistor within the discharging source follower circuit saturated at a threshold voltage related to the second transistor, the pre-discharge voltage source being between the input to the pad driver circuit and the second transistor, wherein a pre-discharge switch is between the pre-discharge voltage source and the pre-discharge voltage generator, and wherein the charging source follower circuit and the discharging source follower circuit are coupled to an output.