Patent ID: 8618835

Claim:
An apparatus for converting signals from a first digital integrated circuit family to be compatible with a second digital integrated circuit family, the second digital integrated circuit family being different from the first digital integrated circuit family, the apparatus comprising: a primary interface configured to convert an output signal that is characterized by the first digital integrated circuit family to provide an input signal that is compatible with the second digital integrated circuit family, the primary interface including: a gain stage configured to convert a first logic level of the output signal into a second logic level; an input transmission gate, coupled between an input of the gain stage and a reference voltage, configured to couple the reference voltage to the input of the gain stage when a feedback path to the gain stage is deactivated; and an output switch, coupled between an output of the gain stage and a potential, configured to couple the output of the gain stage to the potential to prevent the output signal from leaking onto the input signal when the gain stage is deactivated.