Patent ID: 6198316
Filing Date: 2001-03-06
Classification: H03K

Abstract:
An improved off-chip driver circuit, comprising:a first and second input node for receiving a first and second input signal respectively;an input composite transmission gate including a p-channel transistor in parallel with an n-channel transistor to receive the first input signal;a push-pull circuit comprising a pull-up transistor disposed between a voltage supply and an output node and a pull-down transistor disposed between ground and the output node, the pull-up transistor having a gate electrode for receiving the first input signal provided by the input composite transmission gate, the pull-down transistor having a gate electrode for receiving the second input signal;a control transistor coupled between the gate electrode of the pull-up transistor and the output node and having a gate electrode connected to a first point of reference potential;an auxiliary transistor having a gate, a drain, and a source, said source of said auxiliary transistor being directly connected to said first input node and both said gate and drain of said auxiliary transistor being directly connected to a gate electrode of said pull-up transistor for quickly establishing and maintaining a voltage at said gate electrode of said pull-up transistor after a transition of said circuit from a first state to a second state sufficient to provide a proper transition from said first state to said second state; anda biasing transistor having a gate electrode directly connected to the output node and coupled to the voltage supply for biasing an N-well in which the pull-up transistor, the control transistor, and the auxiliary transistor are situated.