Semi-buffered auto-direction-sensing voltage translator
AssigneeTexas Instruments Incorporated
InventorMark Benjamin Welty
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In a method and system for translating voltage levels to interface electronic devices, a voltage translator is operable to perform the translation of voltage levels of the bidirectional signals exchanged between the electronic devices in accordance with an open-drain mode of operation and in accordance with a push-pull mode of operation. The voltage translator includes edge-rate accelerators to detect signal transitions and includes configurable resistors to provide a direct current (DC) drive current and a DC bias to hold desired voltage levels. The voltage translator is operable in the open-drain mode to detect a presence of an electronic device, and is operable in the push-pull mode upon the detection of the electronic device.
Claims20
A voltage translator comprising:
- a first edge-rate accelerator having a first input and a first output;
- a second edge-rate accelerator having a second input and a second output, wherein
- the first input and the second output are coupled to form a first port, wherein
- the first output and the second input are coupled to form a second port;
- a first pull up resistor disposed between a first power source and the first port;
- a second pull up resistor disposed between a second power source and the second port;
- and
- a direct current (DC) path between the first port and the second port, wherein a path resistance of the DC path is configurable.
A method for interfacing a first circuit operable at a first voltage level with a second circuit operable at a second voltage level, the method comprising:
- receiving at a first port an input signal having the first voltage level, the input signal being provided by the first circuit;
- triggering an output signal at a second port, the output signal being provided to the second circuit in accordance with an open-drain mode of operation and in accordance with a push-pull mode of operation, the output signal having the second voltage level;
- and
- enabling a direct current (DC) path between the first port and the second port, wherein the DC path enables the first port and the second port to be held at a logic low voltage level in response to one of the first port and the second port being held at the logic low voltage level, wherein the DC path enables the first port and the second port to be held at a logic high level in response to one of the first port and the second port being held at the logic high voltage level.
An electronic system comprising:
- a first electronic device operable at a first voltage level;
- a second electronic device operable at a second voltage level;
- and
- a voltage translator electrically coupled to the first electronic device and electrically coupled to the second electronic device to perform translation of signals there between, wherein the voltage translator is operable to exchange the signals in accordance with an open-drain mode of operation and in accordance with a push-pull mode of operation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.