Output circuit

Abstract

An output circuit for a circuit includes an input node coupled to the circuit, an output node, a reference potential terminal, a supply potential terminal, a semiconductor switch connected between the input node and the output node, and a control circuit. The control circuit is designed to open the semiconductor switch when the potential at the output node is higher than a first limit potential depending on a potential applied to the supply potential terminal, or when the potential is lower than a second limit potential depending on a potential applied to the reference potential terminal, and to close the semiconductor switch when the potential is between the first and the second limit potential. Such an output circuit has the advantage that the circuit is protected both against an overvoltage applied to the output node and a polarity inversion, wherein only monolithically integratable semiconductor devices are used.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.