Patent ID: 7009435
Filing Date: 2006-03-07
Classification: H03K

Abstract:
1. A method of controlling the slew rate on the output terminal of an output buffer wherein the current delivered to said output terminal is varied during voltage transitions by dividing the output transition into various time and current drive segment in following steps: sequentially turning on a plurality of n first conducting devices when said voltage transition of said output terminal is from a first voltage level to a second voltage level thereby connecting said output terminal to a first fixed voltage potential, wherein said sequentially turning on said plurality of n first conducting devices is accomplished by turning on of each of said first conducting devices after a delay such that the first of said plurality of first conducting devices has the shortest said delay and subsequent conducting devices have subsequently longer said delays, wherein the time duration of said delay is controlled by a network comprising resistance and capacitance and wherein said capacitance is comprised of the combination of parasitic capacitance of said first conducting device and a first feedback device; and sequentially turning on a plurality of m second conducting devices when said voltage transition of said output terminal is from said second voltage level to said first voltage level thereby connecting said output terminal to a second fixed voltage potential wherein said second fixed voltage potential is less than said first fixed potential.