Programmable output pad with circuitry for reducing ground bounce noise and power supply noise and method therefor

A method of operating a programmable output pad for use with one of a high supply voltage and a low supply voltage comprising the steps of:

• providing pre-driver means coupled to an input of said programmable output pad for transferring a signal from said input, said pre-driver means comprising a plurality of transistors;
• providing driver means coupled to said pre-driver means for transferring said signal from said pre-driver means to an output of said programmable output pad, said driver means comprising:
• a first transistor having a control junction thereof coupled to a first portion of said pre-driver means, and
• a second transistor having a control junction thereof coupled to a second portion of said pre-driver means;
• and
• providing controllable delay means coupled between said pre-driver means and said driver means for providing a plurality of different time delays for delaying activation of said driver means by different amounts of time and for reducing ground bounce noise on a ground supply of said programmable output pad, and for reducing noise on one of said high supply voltage and said low supply voltage of said programmable output pad, said controllable delay means comprising impedance means coupled between said control junction of said first transistor and said control junction of said second transistor for delaying said activation of said driver means.