Patent ID: 8390315

Claim:
A circuit comprising: a first single-ended input-output buffer coupled to a first output terminal, wherein the first single-ended input-output buffer is operable to transmit a first input signal to the first output terminal as a first output signal; and a first pre-emphasis circuit coupled between the first single-ended input-output buffer and the first output terminal, wherein the first pre-emphasis circuit is operable to enhance a first edge of the first output signal when the first input signal switches from a first logic level to a second logic level, wherein the first pre-emphasis circuit is further operable to enhance a second edge of the first output signal when the first input signal switches from the second logic level to the first logic level, and wherein the first pre-emphasis circuit comprises: a plurality of transistors coupled in series and coupled to receive the first input signal, wherein the plurality of transistors is coupled to the first output terminal; at least one delay circuit coupled to a gate of at least one transistor of the plurality of transistors; an inverter circuit coupled to receive the first input signal and coupled to the plurality of transistors; and at least one logic gate coupled to the at least one delay circuit and the inverter circuit, wherein the at least one logic gate is coupled to receive an enable signal and an inverted version of the first input signal, wherein the enable signal is operable to place the first pre-emphasis circuit in a high-impedance state when the enable signal is at the second logic level, and wherein the plurality of transistors comprises: a first transistor having a first source-drain terminal coupled to a first voltage level and having a gate coupled to receive the inverted version of the first input signal; and a second transistor having a first source-drain terminal coupled to the first transistor, having a gate coupled to the at least one delay circuit, and having a second source-drain terminal coupled to the first output terminal.