US 7,321,241 B1
Bidirectional buffer with slew rate control and method of bidirectionally transmitting signals with slew rate control
Chadwick N. Marak, San Jose, Calif. (US); Jeffrey C. Dunnihoo, Bertram, Tex. (US); and Adam J. Whitworth, Los Altos, Calif. (US)
Assigned to California Micro Devices, Milpitas, Calif. (US)
Filed on Jun. 15, 2006, as Appl. No. 11/424,535.
Int. Cl. H03K 19/0175 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 326—83  [326/26] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A bidirectional buffer provided on an integrated circuit that provides slew rate control for a forward signal along with external resistive and capacitive elements comprising:
a first node that functions as an input node for a forward signal and an output node for a reverse signal;
a second node that functions as an output node for a forward signal and an input node for a reverse signal;
a signal line disposed between the first and second node, with a pass transistor disposed thereon;
a first circuit that provides impedance control to the forward signal when input onto the first node, the first circuit coupled to the first node and to at least one of the resistive elements;
a second circuit that provides slew rate control of the forward signal output onto the second node, the second circuit coupled to the second node and to at least another one of the resistive elements and to the capacitive element.