Patent ID: 6760381
Filing Date: 2004-07-06
Classification: H03F,H04L

Abstract:
A line driver comprising:an output stage comprising: a first p-channel driver transistor, responsive to a first p-differential signal, for conducting current from a power supply; a first p-channel cascode transistor coupled to conduct current from the first p-channel driver transistor to a first differential output; a first n-channel driver transistor, responsive to a first n-differential signal, for conducting current to a ground; a first n-channel cascode transistor coupled to conduct current to the first n-channel driver transistor from the first differential output; a second p-channel driver transistor, responsive to a second p-differential signal, for conducting current from the power supply; a second p-channel cascode transistor coupled to conduct current from the second p-channel driver transistor to a second differential output; a second n-channel driver transistor, responsive to a second n-differential signal, for conducting current to a ground; and a second n-channel cascode transistor coupled to conduct current to the second n-channel driver transistor from the second differential output; wherein the first p-differential signal is a small-signal complement of the second p-differential signal wherein when the first p-differential signal rises, the second p-differential signal falls; wherein the first n-differential signal is a small-signal complement of the second n-differential signal wherein when the first n-differential signal rises, the second n-differential signal falls; wherein the power supply has a power-supply voltage greater than 6 volts and wherein transistors have breakdown voltages that are less than the power-supply voltage; whereby four differential signals control driver transistors connected to differential outputs through cascode transistors.