Patent ID: 6388488
Filing Date: 2002-05-14
Classification: H03K

Abstract:
An apparatus for generating an output signal based on an input signal, comprising:a first detection circuit configured to detect a potential of the input signal and that provides an intermediate output signal having a level based on the potential of the input signal, the first detection circuit having an unaltered threshold potential at which the first detection circuit changes a state of the intermediate output signal, the first detection circuit being coupled to receive an enable signal, the first detection circuit being further configured to be deactivated in response to the enable signal being deasserted; a second detection circuit coupled to the intermediate output signal and being configured to change a state of the output signal in response to the level of the intermediate output signal changing state; and a trip-level adjustment circuit coupled to the first detection circuit and configured to influence the first detection circuit such that the intermediate output signal changes state when the input signal is at some potential different from the unaltered threshold potential, the trip-level adjustment circuit comprising a first subcircuit having a first control mechanism coupled to the output signal of the second detection circuit and a first influence control mechanism under control of the input signal; wherein the first control mechanism is sized sufficiently large in comparison to the first influence control mechanism such that a voltage drop across the first control mechanism is much less than a voltage drop across the first influence control mechanism.