US 5,128,560 A · Boosted supply output driver circuit for driving an all N-channel output stage

Abstract

An output driver circuit includes first and second translator circuits and a boosted voltage generator. The output driver circuit is suitable for driving the first and second inputs of a reduced voltage N-channel output stage. The first and second translator circuits each have a power terminal and an input for receiving first and second logic input signals. A boost voltage generator having a boosted voltage output is respectively coupled to the power terminals of the first and second translator circuits. The first translator circuit has an output coupled to the first input of the N-channel output stage for providing a boosted logic output signal in a logic high polarity state. The second translator circuit has an output coupled to the second input of the N-channel output stage for providing a boosted logic output signal in a logic high polarity state. The outputs of the first and second translator circuits are complementary for driving the N-channel output stage to provide a valid output logic signal. Alternatively, the outputs of the first and second translator circuits are both low for placing the N-channel output stage into a high impedance tristate mode.

Claims22

Dependent claims

An output circuit comprising:

an N-channel output stage having first and second inputs and a power terminal coupled to a non-boosted voltage supply:
a first translator circuit having a power terminal, an input for receiving a first logic input signal, and an output coupled to the first input of the N-channel output stage for providing a boosted logic output signal in a logic high polarity state;
a second translator circuit having a power terminal, an input for receiving a second logic input signal, and an output coupled to the second input of the N-channel output stage for providing a boosted logic output signal in a logic high polarity state;
and
a boost voltage generator having a boosted voltage output respectively coupled to the power terminals of the first and second translator circuits.

2 more elements

A method for driving an N-channel output stage having first and second inputs and a power terminal, the method comprising:

generating a first and second input logic signals;
translating the first input logic signal into a first boosted logic signal, wherein the first boosted logic signal has a logic high level greater than a logic high level of the first input logic signal;
translating the second input logic signal into a second boosted logic signal, wherein the second boosted logic signal has a logic high level greater than a logic high level of the second input logic signal;
driving the first input of the N-channel output stage with the first boosted logic signal;
driving the second input of the N-channel output stage with the second boosted logic signal;
and
coupling the power terminal of the N-channel output stage to a non-boosted voltage supply.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Boosted supply output driver circuit for driving an all N-channel output stage

Life of this patent

Boosted supply output driver circuit for driving an all N-channel output stage

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22