US 5,723,992 A · Low leakage output driver circuit which can be utilized in a multi-voltage source

Abstract

An improved output driver circuit is disclosed which can be utilized when a plurality of voltage potentials are present. The output driver circuit comprises a first pull-up transistor coupled to a first voltage potential, a second pull-down transistor coupled to a second voltage potential, and a pad member coupled to the first pull-up and second pull-down transistor. The driver circuit further includes a circuit means which is coupled to the pad member and the first pull-up transistor. Accordingly, through this arrangement, the circuit substantially reduces the leakage through the first pull-up transistor when the pad member is coupled to a third voltage potential. An output driver circuit in accordance with the present invention, can be utilized in an integrated circuit environment where multiple voltages such as 3.3 volts and 5 volts are present and the output driver circuit will operate effectively because the leakage path normally associated with such circuits is substantially minimized.

Claims12

Dependent claims

An output driver circuit comprising:

a first pull-up transistor means coupled to a first voltage potential;
a second pull-down transistor means coupled to a second voltage potential;
a pad member coupled to the first pull-up and second pull-down transistor means;
a circuit coupled to the pad member and coupled to the first pull-up transistor means, the circuit for substantially reducing the leakage through the first pull-up transistor means when the pad member is coupled to a third voltage potential, the circuit further comprising:
an inverter coupled at an input to the pad member;
a third transistor coupled to an output of the inverter and to the gate of the first pull-up transistor means;
a fourth transistor coupled to the third transistor and to the input of the inverter;
and
a fifth transistor coupled at a drain to the third transistor and at a gate to the input of the inverter.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Low leakage output driver circuit which can be utilized in a multi-voltage source

Life of this patent

Low leakage output driver circuit which can be utilized in a multi-voltage source

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12