High-speed pre-driver and voltage level converter with built-in de-emphasis for HDMI transmit applications

A method, comprising:

• receiving a differential input from a serializer;
• converting a level of a first input of the differential input to generate a first output of a pre-driver differential output signal;
• converting a level of a second input of the differential input to generate a second output of the pre-driver differential output signal;
• deemphasizing the first input of the differential input to generate the first output of the pre-driver differential output signal;
• and
• deemphasizing the second input of the differential input to generate the second output of the pre-driver differential output signal.

An apparatus configured to pre-drive a differential input from a serializer, comprising:

• means for receiving the differential input;
• means for converting a level of a first input of the differential input to generate a first output of a pre-driver differential output signal;
• means for converting a level of a second input of the differential input to generate a second output of the pre-driver differential output signal;
• means for deemphasizing the first input of the differential input to generate the first output of the pre-driver differential output signal;
• and
• means for deemphasizing the second input of the differential input to generate the second output of the pre-driver differential output signal.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium, comprising instructions stored thereon that, if executed by a lithographic device, cause the lithographic device to fabricate at least a part of an integrated circuit, comprising:

• a serializer;
• a pre-driver coupled to receive a differential input from the serializer, wherein the pre-driver comprises:
• an all-p-type metal-oxide-silicon (PMOS) cross-coupled level converter comprising four PMOS transistors;
• and
• two de-emphasis PMOS transistors forming a de-emphasis tap coupled to the output of the cross-coupled level converter;
• and
• a driver coupled to the pre-driver output and configured to receive the differential input from the pre-driver.

A method, comprising:

• a step for receiving a differential input from a serializer;
• a step for converting a level of a first input of the differential input to generate a first output of a pre-driver differential output signal;
• a step for converting a level of a second input of the differential input to generate a second output of the pre-driver differential output signal;
• a step for deemphasizing the first input of the differential input to generate the first output of the pre-driver differential output signal;
• and
• a step for deemphasizing the second input of the differential input to generate the second output of the pre-driver differential output signal.