US5852370A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Integrated circuits for low power dissipation in signaling between different-voltage on chip regions
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1996-10-09
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Granted: 1998-12-22
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Expires: 2016-10-09
Abstract
Abstract An integrated circuit (110) includes, on a single chip, distinct supply voltage terminals and internal on-chip supply conductors connected respectively thereto, including a ground terminal (GND) and terminals for first and second supply voltages (VCC3, VCC5). A first inverter (5526) is connected between first supply voltage (3.3v) and ground and has a first inverter input (IN) and a first inverter output. A second inverter (5518) is connected between second supply voltage (5v) and ground and has a second inverter input (INT) and a second inverter output (OUT). A first feedback transistor (5520) has connections to the second supply voltage (5v), and to the second inverter input (INT) and the second inverter output (OUT). A second feedback transistor (5524) has connections to ground, and to the second inverter input (INT) and the second inverter output (OUT). First and second open-type inverters (5522, 5528) are connected to ground and each of the open-type inverters has an input and output. The input of the first open-type inverter (5522) is connected to the first inverter (5526) input (IN), and the output of the first open-type inverter (5522) is connected to the second inverter input (INT). The input of the second open-type inverter (5528) is connected to the first inverter (5526) output, and the output of the second open-type inverter (5528) is connected to the second inverter (5518) output (OUT). Other devices, systems and methods are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Uming Ko
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 17:51
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K19/00; H03K19/0008; H03K19/0013
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 49
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
An integrated circuit comprising on a single chip: 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; 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.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
187 words
An integrated circuit comprising on a single chip: 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; 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.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The integrated circuit of claim 1 further comprising a first logic circuit connected to said first supply voltage terminal and having an output connected to the first inverter input.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The integrated circuit of claim 1 further comprising a second logic circuit connected to said second supply voltage terminal and having an input connected to the second inverter output.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The integrated circuit of claim 1 wherein said first feedback transistor comprises a p-channel transistor having a gate connected to said second inverter output and a source and drain connected between said second voltage and said second inverter input.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The integrated circuit of claim 1 wherein said second feedback transistor comprises an n-channel transistor having a gate connected to said second inverter output and a source and drain connected between ground and said second inverter input.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
106 words
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.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
106 words
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.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
The circuit of claim 6 further comprising a second transition acceleration circuit, having an input and an output, said input of said second transition circuit connected to said output of said input circuit and said output of said second transition circuit connected to said first feedback circuit, said second feedback circuit and said output of said output circuit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The circuit of claim 6 further comprising a first voltage circuit connected to said first supply voltage and having an output connected to said input of said input circuit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The circuit of claim 6 further comprising a second voltage circuit connected to said second supply voltage and having an input connected to said output of said output circuit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The circuit of claim 6 wherein said input circuit comprises an inverter.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The circuit of claim 6 wherein said output circuit comprises an inverter.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The circuit of claim 6 wherein said first transition acceleration circuit comprises an open-type inverter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The circuit of claim 7 wherein said second transition acceleration circuit comprises an open-type inverter.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
The circuit of claim 6 wherein said first feedback circuit comprises a p-channel transistor having a gate connected to said output of said output circuit and a source and drain connected between said second voltage and said input of said output circuit.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
The circuit of claim 6 wherein said second feedback circuit comprises an n-channel transistor having a gate connected to said output of said output circuit and a source and drain connected between ground and said input of said output circuit.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The circuit of claim 6 wherein said first feedback circuit assists low to high transitions at said input of said output circuit.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The circuit of claim 6 wherein said second feedback circuit assists high to low transitions at said input of said output circuit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
142 words
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.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
142 words
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.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
59 words
The personal computer of claim 18 further comprising a second transition acceleration circuit, having an input and an output, said input of said second transition circuit connected to said output of said input circuit and said output of said second transition circuit connected to said first feedback circuit, said second feedback circuit and said output of said output circuit.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The personal computer of claim 18 further comprising a first voltage circuit connected to said first supply voltage and having an output connected to said input of said input circuit.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
The personal computer of claim 18 further comprising a second voltage circuit connected to said second supply voltage and having an input connected to said output of said output circuit.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
The personal computer of claim 18 wherein said input circuit comprises an inverter.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
13 words
The personal computer of claim 18 wherein said output circuit comprises an inverter.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
The personal computer of claim 18 wherein said first transition acceleration circuit comprises an open-type inverter.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The personal computer of claim 20 wherein said second transition acceleration circuit comprises an open-type inverter.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
43 words
The personal computer of claim 18 wherein said first feedback circuit comprises a p-channel transistor having a gate connected to said output of said output circuit and a source and drain connected between said second voltage and said input of said output circuit.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
41 words
The personal computer of claim 18 wherein said second feedback circuit comprises an n-channel transistor having a gate connected to said output of said output circuit and a source and drain connected between ground and said input of said output circuit.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
The personal computer of claim 18 wherein said first feedback circuit assists low to high transitions at said input of said output circuit.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
The personal computer of claim 18 wherein said second feedback circuit assists high to low transitions at said input of said output circuit.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
16 words
The personal computer of claim 18 wherein said provision for user input comprises an input connector.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
16 words
The personal computer of claim 30 further comprising an input device connected to said input connector.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
15 words
The personal computer of claim 18 wherein said provision for output comprises an output connector.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
15 words
The personal computer of claim 32 further comprising a display connected to said output connector.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
29 words
The personal computer of claim 18 wherein said microprocessor is a portion of a first integrated circuit and said electronic circuit is a portion of a second integrated circuit.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
211 words
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.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
211 words
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.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
28 words
The personal computer of claim 35 wherein said microprocessor is a portion of a first integrated circuit and said circuit is a portion of a second integrated circuit.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
29 words
The personal computer of claim 35 further comprising a first logic circuit connected to said first supply voltage terminal and having an output connected to the first inverter input.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
29 words
The personal computer of claim 35 further comprising a second logic circuit connected to said second supply voltage terminal and having an input connected to the second inverter output.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
39 words
The personal computer of claim 35 wherein said first feedback transistor comprises a p-channel transistor having a gate connected to said second inverter output and a source and drain connected between said second voltage and said second inverter input.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
37 words
The personal computer of claim 35 wherein said second feedback transistor comprises an n-channel transistor having a gate connected to said second inverter output and a source and drain connected between ground and said second inverter input.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
13 words
The personal computer of claim 35 wherein said input device includes a keyboard.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
12 words
The personal computer of claim 35 wherein said display includes a CRT.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
17 words
The personal computer of claim 35 wherein said personal computer has the form of a notebook computer.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
177 words
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.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
177 words
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.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-12-21 | 2002-06-22 | 2002-12-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-12-21 | 2006-06-22 | 2006-12-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-12-21 | 2010-06-22 | 2010-12-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |