Tristate driver for integrated circuit in interconnects

• Main Authors: Krishnamurthy, Ram K, Krishnamurthy, Soumyanath
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 02.04.2002

The present invention relates generally to integrated circuit interconnects and in particular the present invention relates to driver circuits for integrated circuit interconnects. A signal driver circuit uses a single power supply to provide differential low voltage swing signals for use in an integrated circuit. The driver reduces interconnect voltage swing and power consumption, while improving the speed performance of the interconnect. The driver includes series coupled drive transistors to provide differential signals on integrated circuit interconnects. The driver circuit can include circuitry to place the interconnects in a tri-state condition to allow for shared interconnects. An integrated circuit, such as a processor, includes first and second differential interconnects, a receiver circuit connected to the first and second differential interconnects for detecting a differential voltage provided thereon, and a driver circuit connected to the first and second differential interconnects for providing the differential voltage.