Low-swing differential signal output driver with wide-range supply voltage operability

摘要

According to one general aspect, an output driver configured to drive output signals from a core device may include a voltage convertor, an output stage, and a biasing unit. In various embodiments, the output driver is configured to operate in either a core device voltage mode or a high voltage mode. In some embodiments, the voltage convertor may be configured to receive a pair of differential input signals from a core device, wherein a maximum voltage of the input signals is equivalent to a core device voltage, and convert the input signals to a pair of intermediate input signals. In one embodiment, when in high voltage mode, the maximum voltage of the intermediate input signals may be equivalent to a high voltage that is higher than the core device voltage. In some embodiments, the output stage configured to receive the intermediate input signals, and produce a pair of differential output signals having a maximum voltage of, based upon the operating mode of the output driver, either the core device voltage or the high voltage. In various embodiments, the biasing unit configured to provide a biasing current to the output stage, wherein the biasing current is configured to produce a desired common mode voltage within the output stage.