Integrated circuits for low power dissipation in signaling between different-voltage on chip regions

An electronic circuit comprising:

• an input circuit connected to a first supply voltage and having an input and an output;
• an output circuit connected to a second supply voltage and having an input and an output;
• a first feedback circuit connected to said second supply voltage and said output circuit;
• a second feedback circuit connected to ground and said output circuit;
• and
• a first transition acceleration circuit, having an input and an output, said input of said first transition acceleration circuit connected to said input of said input circuit and said output of said first transition acceleration circuit connected to said input of said output circuit.

A personal computer comprising:

• provision for user input;
• a memory;
• provision for output;
• a microprocessor coupled to said provision for user input, to said memory and to said provision for output;
• and
• an electronic circuit coupled to said microprocessor comprising:
• an input circuit connected to a first supply voltage and having an input and an output;
• an output circuit connected to a second supply voltage and having an input and an output;
• a first feedback circuit connected to said second supply voltage and said output circuit;
• a second feedback circuit connected to ground and said output circuit;
• and
• a first transition acceleration circuit, having an input and an output, said input of said first transition acceleration circuit connected to said input of said input circuit and said output of said first transition acceleration circuit connected to said input of said output circuit.

A personal computer comprising:

• an input device;
• a memory;
• a display;
• a microprocessor coupled to said input device, said memory, and said display;
• and
• a circuit coupled to said microprocessor comprising:
• distinct supply voltage terminals and internal on-chip supply conductors connected respectively thereto, including a ground terminal and terminals for first and second supply voltages;
• a first inverter connected between said first supply voltage and ground and having a first inverter input and a first inverter output;
• a second inverter connected between said second supply voltage and ground and having a second inverter input and a second inverter output;
• a first feedback transistor having connections to said second supply voltage, and to said second inverter input and said second inverter output;
• a second feedback transistor having connections to ground, and to said second inverter input and said second inverter output;
• first and second open-type inverters connected to ground and each said open-type inverter having an input and output;
• the input of said first open-type inverter connected to said first inverter input, the output of said first open-type inverter connected to said second inverter input;
• and
• the input of said second open-type inverter connected to said first inverter output, the output of said second open-type inverter connected to said second inverter output.

An electronic wiring board article of manufacture comprising:

• a printed wiring board having a substantially insulative planar board element, conductors in or on said board element;
• a first integrated circuit comprising a microprocessor mounted on said printed wiring board;
• and
• a second integrated circuit mounted on said printed wiring board and coupled to said microprocessor comprising:
• an input circuit connected to a first supply voltage and having an input and an output;
• an output circuit connected to a second supply voltage and having an input and an output;
• a first feedback circuit connected to said second supply voltage and said output circuit;
• a second feedback circuit connected to ground and said output circuit;
• and
• a first transition acceleration circuit, having an input and an output, said input of said first transition acceleration circuit connected to said input of said input circuit and said output of said first transition acceleration circuit connected to said input of said output circuit;
• said conductors of said printed wiring board providing connection between said first integrated circuit and said second integrated circuit.