PIECEWISE LINEAR SLEW RATE CONTROL OF METHOD FOR OUTPUT DEVICES

摘要

A novel method and apparatus is presented for reducing the slew rate signals on transmission lines of integrated circuits. When a transmission line is to be driven to a state by a driver device, the voltage on predrive line controlling the driver device is pulled to a level at or very near to the turn-on threshold voltage the driver device, much more quickly than the turn-on setup time of the driver device. A programmed impedance is then connected between an “on” voltage source and the predrive line to result in a controlled slope of the transmission line signal. Once the voltage level on the transmission line reaches a predetermined reference voltage (e.g., the saturation voltage of the driver device, the predrive line is quickly pulled to the “on” voltage level.