Patent Abstract:
A transmission circuit includes a driver circuit that includes: a transistor to regulate output impedance, and a switching circuit that is connected to the transistor to regulate output impedance and switches an output polarity for differential output; and a bias circuit that includes: a first replica circuit including another transistor corresponding to the transistor to regulate output impedance, the bias circuit generating a gate voltage so as to make a current-voltage characteristic of the transistor to regulate output impedance correspond to a first output impedance value, and supply the gate voltage to a gate of the transistor to regulate output impedance.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation application of International Application PCT/JP2014/073367 filed on Sep. 4, 2014 and designated the U.S., the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The embodiment discussed herein is directed to a transmission circuit and a semiconductor integrated circuit. 
     BACKGROUND 
     There is known a differential driver having a plurality of switches coupled to a current source for steering of current depending on a differential data input end (refer to Patent Document 1). A first differential output end and a second differential output end are formed by a resistor coupled between at least two of the plurality of switches. A first source follower and a second source follower are coupled to the first differential output end and the second differential output end in order to control output impedance. 
     Further, there is known a semiconductor integrated circuit having a current output buffer circuit which is driven by a constant current, and in which output impedance is controlled corresponding to a bit rate of differential transmission signal input (refer to Patent Document 2). A signal waveform to be outputted from the current output buffer circuit to a signal transmission path is controlled corresponding to the bit rate of the transmission signal. 
     Further, there is known an amplifier circuit having an amplifying part whose mutual conductance changes depending on a bias current (refer to Patent Document 3). A constant voltage source outputs a constant voltage. A constant current source outputs a constant current. A differential pair is composed of a pair of transistors having differential inputs to which the constant voltage is inputted, and the constant current is supplied through an output end of one of the pair of transistors. A pair of input current terminals is connected to the output ends of the pair of transistors. A difference current detection means outputs a voltage signal proportional to a difference output current of the differential pair. Each of first and second voltage-current conversion means receives the voltage signal as an input signal, and outputs current proportional to the voltage signal. The output currents by the first and second voltage-current conversion means compose bias currents of the differential pair and the amplifying part respectively. 
     [Patent Document 1] Japanese National Publication of International Patent Application No. 2009-531925 
     [Patent Document 2] Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2008-147940 
     [Patent Document 3] Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2001-251149 
     In a transmission circuit, trying to make amplitude of an output signal large results in small output impedance, and thus it becomes difficult to take impedance matching. It is difficult to maintain the output impedance at a predetermined value (for example, 50Ω) and at the same time make the amplitude of the output signal of the transmission circuit large in order to take the impedance matching. 
     SUMMARY 
     A transmission circuit includes a driver circuit that includes a first transistor to regulate output impedance, and a switching circuit that is connected to the first transistor and switches an output polarity for differential output; and a bias circuit that includes: a first replica circuit including a second transistor corresponding to the first transistor, the bias circuit generating a gate voltage so as to make a current-voltage characteristic of the first transistor correspond to a first output impedance value, and supply the gate voltage to a gate of the first transistor. 
     The object and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the claims. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a communication system according to this embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating a basic configuration example of a transmission circuit and a reception circuit; 
         FIG. 3  is an equivalent circuit diagram of the transmission circuit in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an equivalent circuit diagram illustrating a configuration example of a driver circuit in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a graph representing current-voltage characteristics of a cascode connection of n-channel field-effect transistors; 
         FIG. 6  is a circuit diagram illustrating a basic configuration example of a bias circuit in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration example of the bias circuit in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the transmission circuit according to this embodiment; and 
         FIG. 9  is a chart representing characteristics of the transmission circuit according to this embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a communication system according to this embodiment. The communication system has semiconductor integrated circuits  101 ,  102  and transmission paths  105 ,  106 . Each of the semiconductor integrated circuits  101  and  102  is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), and has a transmission device  103  and a reception device  104  in addition to an unillustrated internal circuit. The transmission device  103  has a parallel-serial conversion circuit  107  and a transmission circuit  108 . The reception device  104  has a reception circuit  109  and a serial-parallel conversion circuit  110 . The semiconductor integrated circuits  101  and  102  are connected by the transmission paths  105  and  106 . 
     The parallel-serial conversion circuit  107 , for example, converts 32-bit parallel data outputted from the internal circuit into one-bit serial data, and outputs the serial data to the transmission circuit  108 . The transmission circuit  108  in the semiconductor integrated circuit  101  transmits the serial data via the transmission path  105  to the reception circuit  109  in the semiconductor integrated circuit  102 . The transmission circuit  108  in the semiconductor integrated circuit  102  transmits the serial data via the transmission path  106  to the reception circuit  109  in the semiconductor integrated circuit  101 . The reception circuit  109  receives the serial data and outputs the received serial data to the serial-parallel conversion circuit  110 . The serial-parallel conversion circuit  110  converts one-bit serial data into, for example, 32-bit parallel data and outputs the parallel data to the internal circuit. 
     Characteristic impedance of each of the transmission paths  105  and  106  is 50Ω. When the transmission paths  105  and  106  are long and frequency of each signal to be transmitted therethrough is high, losses of the transmission paths  105  and  106  become large, and therefore, it is demanded that the transmission circuits  108  each output the signal with large amplitude. Further, in order to take matching with input terminating resistors of the reception circuits  109 , output impedance of 50Ω (100Ω in differential output) of the transmission circuits  108  is set as a standard. 
       FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating a basic configuration example of the transmission circuit  108  and the reception circuit  109 . First, a configuration of the transmission circuit  108  will be described. In a p-channel field-effect transistor  201 , a source is connected to a power supply potential node, a gate is connected to a differential input terminal IN 1 , and a drain is connected via a resistor  205  to a differential output terminal OUTp. In an n-channel field-effect transistor  202 , a source is connected to a ground potential node, a gate is connected to the differential input terminal IN 1 , and a drain is connected via a resistor  206  to the differential output terminal OUTp. 
     In a p-channel field-effect transistor  203 , a source is connected to a power supply potential node, a gate is connected to a differential input terminal IN 2 , and a drain is connected via a resistor  207  to a differential output terminal OUTn. In an re-channel field-effect transistor  204 , a source is connected to a ground potential node, a gate is connected to the differential input terminal IN 2 , and a drain is connected via a resistor  208  to the differential output terminal OUTn. 
     To the differential input terminals IN 1  and IN 2 , a differential signal based on the serial data inputted from the parallel-serial conversion circuit  107  ( FIG. 1 ) is inputted. To the differential input terminals IN 1  and IN 2 , binary digital data whose logic levels are inverted to each other are inputted. 
     When the differential input terminal IN 1  is high-level and the differential input terminal IN 2  is low-level, the n-channel field-effect transistor  202  and the p-channel field-effect transistor  203  are turned on and the p-channel field-effect transistor  201  and the n-channel field-effect transistor  204  are turned off. Thus, the differential output terminal OUTp becomes low-level and the differential output terminal OUTn becomes high-level. 
     On the other hand, when the differential input terminal IN 1  is low-level and the differential input terminal IN 2  is high-level, the p-channel field-effect transistor  201  and the n-channel field-effect transistor  204  are turned on and the n-channel field-effect transistor  202  and the p-channel field-effect transistor  203  are turned off. Thus, the differential output terminal OUTp becomes high-level and the differential output terminal OUTn becomes low-level. 
     The differential output terminals OUTp and OUTn output a differential signal of the binary digital data whose logic levels are inverted to each other. The differential output terminal OUTp is connected via a transmission path  105   a  to the reception circuit  109 . The differential output terminal OUTn is connected via a transmission path  105   b  to the reception circuit  109 . The transmission paths  105   a  and  105   b  correspond to the transmission path  105  in  FIG. 1 . 
     The reception circuit  109  has a serial connection of input terminating resistors  209  and  210 . Each resistance of the input terminating resistors  209  and  210  is 50Ω. The serial connection of the input terminating resistors  209  and  210  has resistance of 100Ω, and is connected between the differential output terminals OUTp and OUTn. 
       FIG. 3  is an equivalent circuit diagram of the transmission circuit  108  in  FIG. 2 . The transmission circuit  108  has the p-channel field-effect transistors  201 ,  203 , the n-channel field-effect transistors  202 ,  204 , and the resistors  205  to  208 . The input terminating resistors  209  and  210  are provided in the reception circuit  109 , and are a load on the transmission circuit  108 . 
     In the p-channel field-effect transistor  201 , the source is connected to the power supply potential node VDD and the drain is connected via the resistor  205  to the differential output terminal OUTp. In the n-channel field-effect transistor  202 , the source is connected to the ground potential node and the drain is connected via the resistor  206  to the differential output terminal OUTp. In the p-channel field-effect transistor  203 , the source is connected to the power supply potential node VDD and the drain is connected via the resistor  207  to the differential output terminal OUTn. In the n-channel field-effect transistor  204 , the source is connected to the ground potential node and the drain is connected via the resistor  208  to the differential output terminal OUTn. The serial connection of the input terminating resistors  209  and  210  are connected between the differential output terminals OUTp and OUTn. 
     Each resistance of the resistors  205  to  208  is 50Ω. Each resistance of the input terminating resistors  209  and  210  is 50Ω as well. Thus, it is difficult to make amplitude of the differential output signal outputted from the differential output terminals OUTp and OUTn large. For example, voltage of the power supply potential node VDD is 1.2 V, voltage of the differential output terminal OUTp is 0.9 V, and voltage of the differential output terminal OUTn is 0.3 V. Making the resistance of the resistors  205  to  208  small enables large amplitude of the differential output signal outputted from the differential output terminals OUTp and OUTn, but makes it impossible to keep the output impedance of the transmission circuit  108  at 50Ω (100Ω in differential output). As a result, it becomes impossible to take impedance matching. Thus, the transmission circuit  108  capable of maintaining the output impedance at a predetermined value and at the same time making amplitude of an output signal large will be described in reference to  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the transmission circuit  108  according to this embodiment. The transmission circuit  108  has a bias circuit  801 , a driver circuit  802 , resistors  803  to  805 , and capacitors  806  to  808 . The bias circuit  801  has nodes Vgp 1   b , Vgn 1   b , and Vgn 2   b . The driver circuit  802  has nodes Vgp 1 , Vgn 1 , and Vgn 2 . 
     The resistor  803  is connected between the node Vgp 1   b  of the bias circuit  801  and the node Vgp 1  of the driver circuit  802 . The capacitor  806  is connected between the power supply potential node VDD and the node Vgp 1  of the driver circuit  802 . The resistor  804  is connected between the node Vgn 2   b  of the bias circuit  801  and the node Vgn 2  of the driver circuit  802 . The capacitor  807  is connected between the ground potential node and the node Vgn 2  of the driver circuit  802 . The resistor  805  is connected between the node Vgn 1   b  of the bias circuit  801  and the node Vgn 1  of the driver circuit  802 . The capacitor  808  is connected between the ground potential node and the node Vgn 1  of the driver circuit  802 . 
     The node Vgp 1   b  of the bias circuit  801  outputs voltage to the node Vgp 1  of the driver circuit  802 . The node Vgn 2   b  of the bias circuit  801  outputs voltage to the node Vgn 2  of the driver circuit  802 . The node Vgn 1   b  of the bias circuit  801  outputs voltage to the node Vgn 1  of the driver circuit  802 . 
       FIG. 4  is an equivalent circuit diagram illustrating a configuration example of the driver circuit  802  in  FIG. 8 . The driver circuit  802  in  FIG. 4  is the one in which the resistors  205  to  208  are eliminated and a p-channel field-effect transistor  211 , n-channel field-effect transistors  212 ,  213 , and a second resistor  214  are added with respect to the transmission circuit in  FIG. 3 . 
     The driver circuit  802  has the p-channel field-effect transistors  201 ,  203 ,  211 , the n-channel field-effect transistors  202 ,  204 ,  212 ,  213 , and the second resistor  214 . The input terminating resistors  209  and  210 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , are provided in the reception circuit  109 , and are the load on the driver circuit  802 . 
     The p-channel field-effect transistors  201 ,  203  and the n-channel field-effect transistors  202 ,  204  in  FIG. 4  correspond to the p-channel field-effect transistors  201 ,  203  and the n-channel field-effect transistors  202 ,  204  in  FIG. 2 . The input terminating resistors  209  and  210  in  FIG. 4  correspond to the input terminating resistors  209  and  210  in  FIG. 2 . 
     In the p-channel field-effect transistor  211 , a source is connected to the power supply potential node VDD, a gate is connected to the node Vgp 1 , and a drain is connected to a node Vdp. The second resistor  214  has resistance of 50Ω, and is connected between the power supply potential node VDD and the node Vdp. That is, the second resistor  214  is connected to the p-channel field-effect transistor  211  in parallel. 
     In the p-channel field-effect transistor  201 , the source is connected to the node Vdp and the drain is connected to the differential output terminal OUTp. In the n-channel field-effect transistor  202 , the source is connected to a node Vdn and the drain is connected to the differential output terminal OUTp. In the p-channel field-effect transistor  203 , the source is connected to the node Vdp and the drain is connected to the differential output terminal OUTn. In the n-channel field-effect transistor  204 , the source is connected to the node Vdn and the drain is connected to the differential output terminal OUTn. The serial connection of the input terminating resistors  209  and  210  is connected between the differential output terminals OUTp and OUTn. The p-channel field-effect transistors  201 ,  203  and the n-channel field-effect transistors  202 ,  204  are switching circuits which switch an output polarity for differential output. 
     In the n-channel field-effect transistor  212 , a drain is connected to the node Vdn and a gate is connected to the node Vgn 2 . In the n-channel field-effect transistor  213 , a drain is connected to a source of the n-channel field-effect transistor  212 , a gate is connected to the node Vgn 1 , and a source is connected to the ground potential node. That is, the n-channel field-effect transistor  213  is cascode-connected to the n-channel field-effect transistor  212 . 
     Voltage of the node Vgn 2  is regulated so that resistance of the cascode connection of the re-channel field-effect transistors  212  and  213  is 50Ω. Thus, the output impedance of the transmission circuit  108  including the driver circuit  802  is regulated at 50Ω. 
       FIG. 5  is a graph representing current-voltage characteristics of the cascode connection of the n-channel field-effect transistors  212  and  213 . A horizontal axis represents drain voltage of the re-channel field-effect transistor  212  (voltage of the node Vdn). A vertical axis represents drain current of the n-channel field-effect transistor  212 . Note that voltage of the node Vgn 1  connected to the gate of the n-channel field-effect transistor  213  is fixed. 
     A characteristic line  501  represents a characteristic when the voltage of the node Vgn 2  connected to the gate of the n-channel field-effect transistor  212  is 0.4 V. A characteristic line  502  represents a characteristic when the voltage of the node Vgn 2  connected to the gate of the n-channel field-effect transistor  212  is 0.5 V. A characteristic line  503  represents a characteristic when the voltage of the node Vgn 2  connected to the gate of the n-channel field-effect transistor  212  is 0.55 V. A characteristic line  504  represents a characteristic when the voltage of the node Vgn 2  connected to the gate of the n-channel field-effect transistor  212  is 0.6 V. A characteristic line  505  represents a characteristic when the voltage of the node Vgn 2  connected to the gate of the n-channel field-effect transistor  212  is 0.7 V. A characteristic line  506  represents a characteristic when the voltage of the node Vgn 2  connected to the gate of the n-channel field-effect transistor  212  is 0.8 V. 
     When the drain voltage of the n-channel field-effect transistor  212  (voltage of the node Vdn) is set at, for example, 0.2 V, a slope of the current-voltage characteristic is ΔI/ΔV=20 mS (ΔV/ΔI=50Ω) on the characteristic line  503  when the gate voltage is 0.55 V. At this time, the drain current of the n-channel field-effect transistor  212  is current I 1 . Accordingly, the bias circuit  801  ( FIG. 8 ) may regulate the voltage of the node Vgn 2  connected to the gate of the n-channel field-effect transistor  212  so as to obtain ΔV/ΔI=50Ω. Thus, the resistance of the cascode connection of the re-channel field-effect transistors  212  and  213  becomes 50Ω. 
       FIG. 6  is a circuit diagram illustrating a basic configuration example of the bias circuit  801  in  FIG. 8 . The bias circuit  801  has a first replica circuit  600  and a second replica circuit  630 . 
     The first replica circuit  600  has n-channel field-effect transistors  612  and  613 . The first replica circuit  600  is the replica circuit of the cascode connection of the n-channel field-effect transistors  212  and  213  in  FIG. 4 . The n-channel field-effect transistor  612  corresponds to the n-channel field-effect transistor  212  in  FIG. 4 . The n-channel field-effect transistor  613  corresponds to the n-channel field-effect transistor  213  in  FIG. 4 . 
     The second replica circuit  630  has re-channel field-effect transistors  712  and  713 . The second replica circuit  630  is the replica circuit of the cascode connection of the n-channel field-effect transistors  212  and  213  in  FIG. 4 . The n-channel field-effect transistor  712  corresponds to the n-channel field-effect transistor  212  in  FIG. 4 . The n-channel field-effect transistor  713  corresponds to the n-channel field-effect transistor  213  in  FIG. 4 . 
     A current source  621  is connected between the power supply potential node VDD and a node N 1 . A resistor  622  is connected between the node N 1  and the ground potential node. In a second operational amplifier  623 , reference voltage of the node N 1  is inputted to a negative input terminal, voltage of a node Vdn is inputted to a positive input terminal, and an output terminal outputs gate voltage to the node Vgp 1   b.    
     In a p-channel field-effect transistor  611 , a source is connected to the power supply potential node VDD, a gate is connected to the node Vgp 1   b , and a drain is connected to the node Vdn. In the re-channel field-effect transistor  612 , a drain is connected to the node Vdn and a gate is connected to the node Vgn 2   b . In the n-channel field-effect transistor  613 , a drain is connected to a source of the n-channel field-effect transistor  612 , a gate is connected to the node Vgn 1   b , and a source is connected to the ground potential node. To the node Vgn 1   b , fixed voltage is supplied. The voltage of the node Vgn 2   b  is regulated so that a first current I 1  ( FIG. 5 ) flows through the n-channel field-effect transistors  612  and  613 . 
     In a p-channel field-effect transistor  711 , a source is connected to the power supply potential node VDD, a gate is connected to the node Vgp 1   b , and a drain is connected to a node N 2 . In the n-channel field-effect transistor  712 , a drain is connected to the node N 2  and a gate is connected to the node Vgn 2   b . In the n-channel field-effect transistor  713 , a drain is connected to a source of the n-channel field-effect transistor  712 , a drain is connected to the node Vgn 1   b , and a source is connected to the ground potential node. 
     A current source  624  is connected between the power supply potential node VDD and the node N 2  and a second current ΔI ( FIG. 5 ) flows therethrough. Through each of the p-channel field-effect transistors  611  and  711 , the first current I 1  flows. Through the n-channel field-effect transistors  712  and  713 , current I 1 +ΔI which is the sum of the first current I 1  and the second current ΔI flows. 
     In a first operational amplifier  625 , voltage of the node N 2  is inputted to a positive input terminal, voltage of a node N 3  is inputted to a negative input terminal, and an output terminal outputs gate voltage to the node Vgn 2   b . In a third operational amplifier  626 , a positive input terminal is connected to the node Vdn, and an output terminal and a negative input terminal are connected to a node N 4 . 
     A current source  627  is connected between the power supply potential node VDD and the node N 3  and the second current ΔI flows therethrough. A first resistor  628  has resistance of 50Ω, and is connected between the node N 3  and the node N 4 . A current source  629  is connected between the node N 4  and the ground potential node and the second current ΔI flows therethrough. 
     Because current of the current source  621  flows through the resistor  622 , the reference voltage (for example, 0.2 V) is generated at the node N 1 . The voltage of the node Vdn is drain voltage of the n-channel field-effect transistor  612 . The second operational amplifier  623  controls the voltage of the node Vgp 1   b  so that the voltage of the node Vdn is the same as the reference voltage of the node N 1 . Thus, the voltage of the node Vdn becomes fixed voltage of 0.2 V ( FIG. 5 ), for example. 
     An increase of drain voltage of the re-channel field-effect transistor  712  when the drain current of the n-channel field-effect transistor  712  increases by the second current ΔI is ΔV ( FIG. 5 ). In this case, the voltage of the node N 2  is voltage Vdn+ΔV which is the sum of ΔV and the voltage of the node Vdn. 
     Further, in order to enable ΔV/ΔI=50Ω in  FIG. 5 , the current sources  627  and  629  make the second current ΔI flow through the first resistor  628  having the resistance of 50Ω. Voltage of the node N 4  becomes the same as the voltage of the node Vdn by a voltage follower of the third operational amplifier  626 . Thus, the voltage of the node N 3  becomes voltage Vdn+ΔI×50Ω which is the sum of voltage ΔI×50Ω and the voltage of the node N 4 . 
     The first operational amplifier  625  controls voltage of the node Vgn 2   b  so that the voltage Vdn+ΔI×50Ω of the node N 3  is the same as the voltage Vdn+ΔV of the node N 2 . This results in ΔV=ΔI×50Ω, and the resistance of the cascode connection of the n-channel field-effect transistors  612  and  613  becomes 50Ω. 
     The bias circuit  801  outputs the voltages of the nodes Vgp 1   b , Vgn 1   b , and Vgn 2   b  generated as described above to the driver circuit  802 . In the driver circuit  802 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the voltage of the node Vgp 1   b  is applied to the gate of the p-channel field-effect transistor  211  and the voltage of the node Vgn 2   b  is applied to the gate of the n-channel field-effect transistor  212 , and the voltage of the node Vgn 1   b  is applied to the gate of the n-channel field-effect transistor  213 . The p-channel field-effect transistor  211  corresponds to the p-channel field-effect transistor  611  in  FIG. 6 . The n-channel field-effect transistor  212  corresponds to the n-channel field-effect transistor  612  in  FIG. 6 . The n-channel field-effect transistor  213  corresponds to the n-channel field-effect transistor  613  in  FIG. 6 . 
     Consequently, resistance of the n-channel field-effect transistors  212  and  213  becomes 50Ω the same as that of the n-channel field-effect transistors  612  and  613  in  FIG. 6 . That is, the output impedance of the transmission circuit  108  becomes 50Ω, and it is possible to take the impedance matching. 
     Further, in the driver circuit  802  in  FIG. 4 , the elimination of the resistors  205  to  208  with respect to the transmission circuit in  FIG. 3  makes it possible to make the amplitude of the output signal large. In the transmission circuit in  FIG. 3 , when the voltage of the power supply potential node VDD is 1.2 V, the voltage of the differential output terminal OUTp is 0.9 V and the voltage of the differential output terminal OUTn is 0.3 V. On the other hand, in the driver circuit  802  in  FIG. 4 , when the voltage of the power supply potential node VDD is 1.2 V, the voltage of the differential output terminal OUTp is 1.0 V and the voltage of the differential output terminal OUTn is 0.2 V. Consequently, it is possible to make the amplitude of the output signal of the differential output terminals OUTp and OUTn of the driver circuit  802  in  FIG. 4  large. 
     The equivalent circuit of the driver circuit  802  in  FIG. 4  is connected to the input terminating resistors  209  and  210  of the reception circuit  109 . Further, the driver circuit  802  has the second resistor  214  in order to make voltage of the node Vdp stable. Then, a bias circuit  801  which is designed, with the above-described input terminating resistors  209 ,  210 , and the second resistor  214  taken into consideration in the bias circuit  801  in  FIG. 6  in order to make the bias circuit  801  in  FIG. 6  correspond to the driver circuit  802  in  FIG. 4  will be illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 7  is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration example of the bias circuit  801  in  FIG. 8 . The bias circuit  801  in  FIG. 7  is the one in which a third resistor  614 , fifth resistors  609 ,  610 , a fourth resistor  714 , and sixth resistors  709 ,  710  are added to the bias circuit  801  in  FIG. 6 . Hereinafter, points where the bias circuit  801  in  FIG. 7  is different from the bias circuit  801  in  FIG. 6  will be described. 
     The third resistor  614  has resistance of 50Ω, and is connected between the power supply potential node VDD and a node Vdp. That is, the third resistor  614  is connected to the p-channel field-effect transistor  611  in parallel. Each resistance of the fifth resistors  609  and  610  is 50Ω. A serial connection of the fifth resistors  609  and  610  is connected between the nodes Vdp and Vdn. 
     The fourth resistor  714  has resistance of 50Ω, and is connected between the power supply potential node VDD and the drain of the p-channel field-effect transistor  711 . That is, the fourth resistor  714  is connected to the p-channel field-effect transistor  711  in parallel. Each resistance of the sixth resistors  709  and  710  is 50Ω. A serial connection of the sixth resistors  709  and  710  is connected between the drain of the p-channel field-effect transistor  711  and the node N 2 . 
     A first replica circuit  700  has the p-channel field-effect transistor  611 , the third resistor  614 , the fifth resistors  609 ,  610 , and the n-channel field-effect transistors  612 ,  613 . The first replica circuit  700  is the replica circuit of the driver circuit  802  in  FIG. 4 . 
     The p-channel field-effect transistor  611  corresponds to the p-channel field-effect transistor  211  in  FIG. 4 . The third resistor  614  corresponds to the second resistor  214  in  FIG. 4 . The fifth resistors  609  and  610  correspond to the input terminating resistors  209  and  210  in  FIG. 4 . The n-channel field-effect transistor  612  corresponds to the n-channel field-effect transistor  212  in  FIG. 4 . The n-channel field-effect transistor  613  corresponds to the n-channel field-effect transistor  213  in  FIG. 4 . 
     A second replica circuit  720  has the p-channel field-effect transistor  711 , the fourth resistor  714 , the sixth resistors  709 ,  710 , and n-channel field-effect transistors  712 ,  713 . The second replica circuit  720  is the replica circuit of the driver circuit  802  in  FIG. 4 . 
     The p-channel field-effect transistor  711  corresponds to the p-channel field-effect transistor  211  in  FIG. 4 . The fourth resistor  714  corresponds to the second resistor  214  in  FIG. 4 . The sixth resistors  709  and  710  correspond to the input terminating resistors  209  and  210  in  FIG. 4 . The n-channel field-effect transistor  712  corresponds to the n-channel field-effect transistor  212  in  FIG. 4 . The n-channel field-effect transistor  713  corresponds to the n-channel field-effect transistor  213  in  FIG. 4 . 
     Each voltage of the nodes in  FIG. 7  is the same as each voltage of the nodes in  FIG. 6 . The node Vdn is fixed at the same voltage (for example, 0.2 V) as the voltage of the node N 1 . Through the n-channel field-effect transistors  612  and  613 , the first current I 1  flows. Through the n-channel field-effect transistors  712  and  713 , the current I 1 +ΔI flows. The voltage of the node N 2  is the voltage Vdn+ΔV. The voltage of the node N 4  is the same voltage as the voltage of the node Vdn. The voltage of the node N 3  is the voltage Vdn+ΔI×50Ω. The bias circuit  801  in  FIG. 7  performs the same operation as that of the bias circuit  801  in  FIG. 6 . 
     The bias circuit  801  in  FIG. 7  generates gate voltage so as to make the current-voltage characteristic ( FIG. 5 ) of the n-channel field-effect transistors  212  and  213  correspond to the output impedance of 50Ω, and via the node Vgn 2   b , supplies the gate voltage to the gate of the n-channel field-effect transistor  212 . 
     Through the n-channel field-effect transistors  612  and  613 , the first current I 1  flows. Through the n-channel field-effect transistors  712  and  713 , the current I 1 +ΔI which is the sum of the first current I 1  and the second current ΔI flows. Through the first resistor  628 , the second current ΔI flows. 
     To the first operational amplifier  625 , the voltage Vdn+ΔI×50Ω which is the sum of the voltage ΔI×50Ω of the first resistor  628  and the drain voltage of the n-channel field-effect transistor  612  (the voltage of the node Vdn) and the drain voltage Vdn+ΔV of the n-channel field-effect transistor  712  are inputted, and the first operational amplifier  625 , via the node Vgn 2   b , outputs voltage to the gates of the n-channel field-effect transistors  212 ,  612 ,  712 . 
     To the second operational amplifier  623 , the drain voltage of the n-channel field-effect transistor  612  (the voltage of the node Vdn) and the reference voltage of the node N 1  are inputted, and the second operational amplifier  623 , via the node Vgp 1   b , outputs voltage to the gates of the p-channel field-effect transistors  211 ,  611 ,  711 . 
     The first operational amplifier  625  controls the voltage of the node Vgn 2   b  so that the voltage Vdn+ΔI×50Ω of the node N 3  is the same as the voltage Vdn+ΔV of the node N 2 . This results in ΔV=ΔI×50Ω, and the resistance of the n-channel field-effect transistors  612  and  613  becomes 50Ω. 
     The bias circuit  801  in  FIG. 7  outputs the voltages of the nodes Vgp 1   b , Vgn 1   b , and Vgn 2   b  generated as described above to the driver circuit  802 . The p-channel field-effect transistor  211  in  FIG. 4  corresponds to the p-channel field-effect transistor  611  in  FIG. 7 . The n-channel field-effect transistor  212  in  FIG. 4  corresponds to the n-channel field-effect transistor  612  in  FIG. 7 . The n-channel field-effect transistor  213  in  FIG. 4  corresponds to the n-channel field-effect transistor  613  in  FIG. 7 . 
     Consequently, the resistance of the n-channel field-effect transistors  212  and  213  becomes 50Ω the same as that of the n-channel field-effect transistors  612  and  613  in  FIG. 7 . That is, the output impedance of the transmission circuit  108  becomes 50Ω, and it is possible to take the impedance matching. 
     Further, in the driver circuit  802  in  FIG. 4 , the elimination of the resistors  205  to  208  with respect to the transmission circuit in  FIG. 3  makes it possible to make the amplitude of the output signal large. In the driver circuit  802  in  FIG. 4 , when the voltage of the power supply potential node VDD is 1.2 V, the voltage of the differential output terminal OUTp is 1.0 V and the voltage of the differential output terminal OUTn is 0.2 V. It is possible to make the amplitude of the output signal of the differential output terminals OUTp and OUTn of the driver circuit  802  in  FIG. 4  large. 
       FIG. 9  is a chart representing a characteristic of the transmission circuit  108  according to this embodiment. A reference value represents an ideal characteristic of the transmission circuit  108  in  FIG. 3 . A representative value at 25° C., a lowest rate value at 25° C., a highest rate value at 25° C., a representative value at 110° C., and a representative value at 0° C. represent simulation results of the characteristic of the transmission circuit  108  in  FIG. 8  according to this embodiment (including the driver circuit  802  in  FIG. 4  and the bias circuit  801  in  FIG. 7 ). 
     The output impedance (differential) of the transmission circuit  108  according to this embodiment is about 100Ω, and is within the standard. Thus, it is possible to take the impedance matching. 
     Output amplitude (differential) of the reference value will be described. In the transmission circuit  108  in  FIG. 3 , when the voltage of the power supply potential node VDD is 1.2 V and the differential output terminal OUTp is high-level, the voltage of the differential output terminal OUTp is 0.9 V and the voltage of the differential output terminal OUTn is 0.3 V. This results in OUTp−OUTn=0.9 V−0.3 V=+0.6 V. On the other hand, when the voltage of the power supply potential node VDD is 1.2 V and the differential output terminal OUTp is low-level, the voltage of the differential output terminal OUTp is 0.3 V and the voltage of the differential output terminal OUTn is 0.9 V. This results in OUTp−OUTn=0.3 V−0.9 V=−0.6 V. Consequently, amplitude being difference between when the differential output terminal OUTp is high-level and when the differential output terminal OUTp is low-level is +0.6 V−(−0.6 V)=1.2 V. 
     Next, output amplitude (differential) of this embodiment will be described. In the driver circuit  802  in  FIG. 4 , when the voltage of the power supply potential node VDD is 1.2 V and the differential output terminal OUTp is high-level, the voltage of the differential output terminal OUTp is 1.0 V and the voltage of the differential output terminal OUTn is 0.2 V. This results in OUTp−OUTn=1.0 V−0.2 V=+0.8 V. On the other hand, when the voltage of the power supply potential node VDD is 1.2 V and the differential output terminal OUTp is low-level, the voltage of the differential output terminal OUTp is 0.2 V and the voltage of the differential output terminal OUTn is 1.0 V. This results in OUTp−OUTn=0.2 V−1.0 V=−0.8 V. Consequently, the amplitude being difference between when the differential output terminal OUTp is high-level and when the differential output terminal OUTp is low-level is +0.8 V−(−0.8 V)=1.6 V. The output amplitude (differential) in the simulation results of this embodiment is about 1.6 V, and large compared with the reference value (1.2 V). 
     Note that the above embodiments merely illustrate concrete examples of implementing the present embodiment, and the technical scope of the present embodiment is not to be construed in a restrictive manner by these embodiments. That is, the present embodiment may be implemented in various forms without departing from the technical spirit or main features thereof. 
     Providing the bias circuit makes it possible to maintain the output impedance at the predetermined value and at the same time make the amplitude of the output signal large. 
     All examples and conditional language provided herein are intended for the pedagogical purposes of aiding the reader in understanding the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor to further the art, and are not to be construed as limitations to such specifically recited examples and conditions, nor does the organization of such examples in the specification relate to a showing of the superiority and inferiority of the invention. Although one or more embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it should be understood that the various changes, substitutions, and alterations could be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7