Patent ID: 7737727

Claim:
A bi-directional buffer, comprising: a differential input/differential output amplifier that includes a first input/output node; a second/input output node and a current mirror; wherein the differential input/differential output amplifier is configurable in a first configuration and a second configuration; wherein the current mirror includes an input, and first and second outputs; wherein the input of the current mirror receives a current from a current source that is capable of causing only one of the first and second outputs of the current mirror to be active at a time; wherein when the current source causes only the first output of the current mirror to be active, then the differential input/differential output amplifier is configured in the first configuration, which causes the second input/output node to follow the first input/output node; and wherein when the current source causes only the second output of the current mirror to be active, then the differential input/differential output amplifier is configured in the second configuration, which causes the first input/output node to follow the second input/output node.