US 7,821,300 B2Granted

System and method for converting between CML signal logic families

AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation

InventorsDan P. Bernard, John C. Schiff, Glen A. Wiedemeier

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Abstract

A system includes a first CML buffer configured to receive a first bias signal and a first CML signal of a first CML logic family. The first CML buffer produces a second CML signal of the first CML logic family based on the first CML signal and the first bias signal. A first coupling capacitor module couples to the first CML buffer. The first coupling capacitor module receives the second CML signal and produces a third CML signal based on the second CML signal. A second CML buffer couples to the coupling capacitor module and receives a second bias signal and the third CML signal, producing a fourth CML signal of a second CML logic family. A feedback module couples to the second CML buffer and receives the fourth CML signal producing a fifth CML signal. The second CML buffer is produces the fourth CML signal based on the second bias signal, the third CML signal, and the fifth CML signal.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A system, comprising:

a first CML buffer configured to receive a first bias signal and a first CML signal of a first CML logic family, and to produce a second CML signal of the first CML logic family based on the first CML signal and the first bias signal;
a first coupling capacitor module coupled to the first CML buffer and configured to receive the second CML signal and to produce a third CML signal based on the second CML signal;
a second CML buffer configured to receive a second bias signal and the third CML signal, and to produce a fourth CML signal of a second CML logic family;
a feedback module coupled to the second CML buffer and configured to receive the fourth CML signal and produce a fifth CML signal;
wherein the second CML buffer is configured to produce the fourth CML signal based on the second bias signal, the third CML signal, and the fifth CML signal;
and
wherein the feedback module further comprises:
a first resistor comprising an input and an output, wherein the input of the first resistor couples to a high output of the fourth CML signal;
a second resistor comprising and input and an output, wherein the output of the second resistor couples to the output of the first resistor, and the input of the second resistor couples to a low signal of the fourth CML signal;
a third resistor comprising an input and an output, wherein the input of the third resistor couples to the output of the first resistor and the output of the second resistor, and the output of the third resistor couples to a high signal of the third CML signal;
and
a fourth resistor comprising an input and an output, wherein the input of the fourth resistor couples to the output of the first resistor and the output of the second resistor, and the output of the fourth resistor couples to a low signal of the third CML signal.

9 more elements

A system, comprising:

a first CML buffer configured to receive a first bias signal and a first CML signal of a first CML logic family, and to produce a second CML signal of the first CML logic family based on the first CML signal and the first bias signal;
a first coupling capacitor module coupled to the first CML buffer and configured to receive the second CML signal and to produce a third CML signal based on the second CML signal;
a second CML buffer configured to receive a second bias signal and the third CML signal, and to produce a fourth CML signal of a second CML logic family;
a feedback module coupled to the second CML buffer and configured to receive the fourth CML signal and produce a fifth CML signal;
wherein the second CML buffer is configured to produce the fourth CML signal based on the second bias signal, the third CML signal, and the fifth CML signal;
wherein the first CML buffer is a pCML buffer;
and
wherein the pCML buffer comprises:
a first PMOS comprising a gate, an input, and an output, and configured to receive a high pCML input signal at the gate of the first PMOS;
a second PMOS comprising a gate, an input, and an output, and configured to receive a low pCML signal at the gate of the second PMOS;
a third PMOS comprising a gate, an input, and an output, and configured to receive a bias input signal at the gate of the third PMOS;
the third PMOS further configured to receive an input voltage and to generate an output signal coupled to the input of the first PMOS and the input of the second PMOS;
a first resistor coupled to the output of the first PMOS and further coupled to ground;
wherein the output of the first PMOS is a low signal of the second CML signal;
a second resistor coupled to the output of the second PMOS and further coupled to ground;
and
wherein the output of the second PMOS is a high signal of the second CML signal.

14 more elements

A system, comprising:

a first CML buffer configured to receive a first bias signal and a first CML signal of a first CML logic family, and to produce a second CML signal of the first CML logic family based on the first CML signal and the first bias signal;
a first coupling capacitor module coupled to the first CML buffer and configured to receive the second CML signal and to produce a third CML signal based on the second CML signal;
a second CML buffer configured to receive a second bias signal and the third CML signal, and to produce a fourth CML signal of a second CML logic family;
a feedback module coupled to the second CML buffer and configured to receive the fourth CML signal and produce a fifth CML signal;
wherein the second CML buffer is configured to produce the fourth CML signal based on the second bias signal, the third CML signal, and the fifth CML signal;
wherein the first CML buffer is an nCML buffer;
and
wherein the nCML buffer further comprises:
a first NMOS comprising a gate, an input, and an output, and configured to receive a high input of an nCML signal at the gate of the first NMOS;
a second NMOS comprising a gate, an input, and an output, and configured to receive a low input of an nCML signal at the gate of the second NMOS;
a third NMOS comprising a gate, an input, and an output, and configured to receive a bias input signal at the gate of the third NMOS;
the input of the third NMOS coupled to the output of the first NMOS and the output of the second NMOS, and the output of the third NMOS coupled to ground;
a first resistor coupled to the input of the first NMOS and further coupled to a voltage source, wherein the output of the first NMOS is a low signal of the second CML signal;
and
a second resistor coupled to the input of the second NMOS and further coupled to a voltage source, wherein the output of the second NMOS is the high signal of the fourth CML signal.

12 more elements

A system comprising:

a first PMOS comprising a gate, an input, and an output, and configured to receive a high pCML input signal at the gate of the first PMOS;
a second PMOS comprising a gate, an input, and an output, and configured to receive a low pCML signal at the gate of the second PMOS;
a third PMOS comprising a gate, an input, and an output, and configured to receive a bias input signal at the gate of the third PMOS;
the third PMOS further configured to receive an input voltage and to generate an output signal coupled to the input of the first PMOS and the input of the second PMOS;
a first resistor coupled to the output of the first PMOS and further coupled to ground;
wherein the output of the first PMOS is a low signal of the second CML signal;
a second resistor coupled to the output of the second PMOS and further coupled to ground;
wherein the output of the second PMOS is a high signal of the second CML signal;
a first capacitor configured to receive a high input signal of the second CML signal and to generate a high output of the third CML signal;
a second capacitor configured to receive a low input signal of the second CML signal and to generate a low output of the third CML signal;
a first NMOS comprising a gate, an input, and an output, and configured to receive a high input of the third CML signal at the gate of the first NMOS;
a second NMOS comprising a gate, an input, and an output, and configured to receive a low input of the third CML signal at the gate of the second NMOS;
a third NMOS comprising a gate, an input, and an output, and configured to receive a bias input signal at the gate of the third NMOS;
the input of the third NMOS coupled to the output of the first NMOS and the output of the second NMOS, and the output of the third NMOS coupled to ground;
a third resistor coupled to the input of the first NMOS and further coupled to a voltage source, wherein the output of the first NMOS is a low signal of the fourth CML signal;
a fourth resistor coupled to the input of the second NMOS and further coupled to a voltage source, wherein the output of the second NMOS is the high signal of the fourth CML signal;
a fifth resistor comprising an input and an output, wherein the input of the fifth resistor couples to a low output of the fourth CML signal, and the output of the fifth resistor couples to a low signal of the third CML signal;
and
a sixth resistor comprising an input and an output, wherein the input of the sixth resistor couples to a high output of the fourth CML signal, and the output of the sixth resistor couples to a high signal of the third CML signal.

16 more elements

A system comprising:

a first PMOS comprising a gate, an input, and an output, and configured to receive a high pCML input signal at the gate of the first PMOS;
a second PMOS comprising a gate, an input, and an output, and configured to receive a low pCML signal at the gate of the second PMOS;
a third PMOS comprising a gate, an input, and an output, and configured to receive a bias input signal at the gate of the third PMOS;
the third PMOS further configured to receive an input voltage and to generate an output signal coupled to the input of the first PMOS and the input of the second PMOS;
a first resistor coupled to the output of the first PMOS and further coupled to ground;
wherein the output of the first PMOS is a low signal of the second CML signal;
a second resistor coupled to the output of the second PMOS and further coupled to ground;
wherein the output of the second PMOS is a high signal of the second CML signal;
a first capacitor configured to receive a high input signal of the second CML signal and to generate a high output of the third CML signal;
a second capacitor configured to receive a low input signal of the second CML signal and to generate a low output of the third CML signal;
a first NMOS comprising a gate, an input, and an output, and configured to receive a high input of the third CML signal at the gate of the first NMOS;
a second NMOS comprising a gate, an input, and an output, and configured to receive a low input of the third CML signal at the gate of the second NMOS;
a third NMOS comprising a gate, an input, and an output, and configured to receive a bias input signal at the gate of the third NMOS;
the input of the third NMOS coupled to the output of the first NMOS and the output of the second NMOS, and the output of the third NMOS coupled to ground;
a third resistor coupled to the input of the first NMOS and further coupled to a voltage source, wherein the output of the first NMOS is a low signal of the fourth CML signal;
a fourth resistor coupled to the input of the second NMOS and further coupled to a voltage source, wherein the output of the second NMOS is the high signal of the fourth CML signal;
a fifth resistor comprising an input and an output, wherein the input of the fifth resistor couples to a high output of the fourth CML signal;
a sixth resistor comprising and input and an output, wherein the output of the sixth resistor couples to the output of the fifth resistor, and the input of the sixth resistor couples to a low signal of the fourth CML signal;
a seventh resistor comprising an input and an output, wherein the input of the seventh resistor couples to the output of the fifth resistor and the output of the sixth resistor, and the output of the seventh resistor couples to a high signal of the third CML signal;
and
an eighth resistor comprising an input and an output, wherein the input of the eighth resistor couples to the output of the fifth resistor and the output of the sixth resistor, and the output of the eighth resistor couples to a low signal of the third CML signal.

18 more elements

A system comprising:

a first NMOS comprising a gate, an input, and an output, and configured to receive a high input of an nCML signal at the gate of the first NMOS;
a second NMOS comprising a gate, an input, and an output, and configured to receive a low input of an nCML signal at the gate of the second NMOS;
a third NMOS comprising a gate, an input, and an output, and configured to receive a bias input signal at the gate of the third NMOS;
the input of the third NMOS coupled to the output of the first NMOS and the output of the second NMOS, and the output of the third NMOS coupled to ground;
a first resistor coupled to the input of the first NMOS and further coupled to a voltage source, wherein the output of the first NMOS is a low signal of the second CML signal;
a second resistor coupled to the input of the second NMOS and further coupled to a voltage source, wherein the output of the second NMOS is the high signal of the fourth CML signal;
a first capacitor configured to receive a high input signal of the second CML signal and to generate a high output of the third CML signal;
a second capacitor configured to receive a low input signal of the second CML signal and to generate a low output of the third CML signal;
a first PMOS comprising a gate, an input, and an output, and configured to receive a high signal of the third CML signal at the gate of the first PMOS;
a second PMOS comprising a gate, an input, and an output, and configured to receive a low signal of the third CML signal at the gate of the second PMOS;
a third PMOS comprising a gate, an input, and an output, and configured to receive a bias input signal at the gate of the third PMOS;
the third PMOS further configured to receive an input voltage and to generate an output signal coupled to the input of the first PMOS and the input of the second PMOS;
a third resistor coupled to the output of the first PMOS and further coupled to ground;
wherein the output of the first PMOS is a low signal of the fourth CML signal;
a fourth resistor coupled to the output of the second PMOS and further coupled to ground;
wherein the output of the second PMOS is a high signal of the second CML signal;
a fifth resistor comprising an input and an output, wherein the input of the fifth resistor couples to a low output of the fourth CML signal, and the output of the fifth resistor couples to a low signal of the third CML signal;
and
a sixth resistor comprising an input and an output, wherein the input of the sixth resistor couples to a high output of the fourth CML signal, and the output of the sixth resistor couples to a high signal of the third CML signal.

16 more elements

A system comprising:

a first NMOS comprising a gate, an input, and an output, and configured to receive a high input of an nCML signal at the gate of the first NMOS;
a second NMOS comprising a gate, an input, and an output, and configured to receive a low input of an nCML signal at the gate of the second NMOS;
a third NMOS comprising a gate, an input, and an output, and configured to receive a bias input signal at the gate of the third NMOS;
the input of the third NMOS coupled to the output of the first NMOS and the output of the second NMOS, and the output of the third NMOS coupled to ground;
a first resistor coupled to the input of the first NMOS and further coupled to a voltage source, wherein the output of the first NMOS is a low signal of the second CML signal;
a second resistor coupled to the input of the second NMOS and further coupled to a voltage source, wherein the output of the second NMOS is the high signal of the fourth CML signal;
a first capacitor configured to receive a high input signal of the second CML signal and to generate a high output of the third CML signal;
a second capacitor configured to receive a low input signal of the second CML signal and to generate a low output of the third CML signal;
a first PMOS comprising a gate, an input, and an output, and configured to receive a high signal of the third CML signal at the gate of the first PMOS;
a second PMOS comprising a gate, an input, and an output, and configured to receive a low signal of the third CML signal at the gate of the second PMOS;
a third PMOS comprising a gate, an input, and an output, and configured to receive a bias input signal at the gate of the third PMOS;
the third PMOS further configured to receive an input voltage and to generate an output signal coupled to the input of the first PMOS and the input of the second PMOS;
a third resistor coupled to the output of the first PMOS and further coupled to ground;
wherein the output of the first PMOS is a low signal of the fourth CML signal;
a fourth resistor coupled to the output of the second PMOS and further coupled to ground;
wherein the output of the second PMOS is a high signal of the second CML signal;
a fifth resistor comprising an input and an output, wherein the input of the fifth resistor couples to a high output of the fourth CML signal;
a sixth resistor comprising and input and an output, wherein the output of the sixth resistor couples to the output of the fifth resistor, and the input of the sixth resistor couples to a low signal of the fourth CML signal;
a seventh resistor comprising an input and an output, wherein the input of the seventh resistor couples to the output of the fifth resistor and the output of the sixth resistor, and the output of the seventh resistor couples to a high signal of the third CML signal;
and
an eighth resistor comprising an input and an output, wherein the input of the eighth resistor couples to the output of the fifth resistor and the output of the sixth resistor, and the output of the eighth resistor couples to a low signal of the third CML signal.

18 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.