Switching module and high voltage tolerant I/O circuit

Abstract

The invention provides a switching module and a high-voltage compatible input / output circuit, in particular to an input / output circuit between a low-voltage circuit and a high-voltage circuit, including a switching element, a local element, and a gate control logic circuit. The switching element provides an output signal to the high voltage circuit in response to a data input signal from the low voltage circuit. The local element transmits the data input signal to control the on and off states of the switching element. The gate control logic operates in an output disable mode and an output enable mode. In the output disable mode, the gate control logic circuit disables the local element to prevent leakage current from flowing therethrough. In the output enable mode, the gate control logic allows the local element to pass the data input signal through with substantially no voltage drop, thus enhancing the speed of the switching element.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to a high-voltage compatible input / output (Input / Output, hereinafter referred to as I / O) circuit, in particular to a high-voltage compatible I / O circuit using local NMOS transistors to enhance performance. Background technique [0002] In the continuous development of semiconductor technology, an integrated circuit (integrated circuit) often includes some components that operate at high potential and other components that operate at low potential. These low voltage components are not necessarily compatible with high voltage signals. When low voltage devices operate on high voltage signals, device failure often occurs. In order to prevent low-voltage components from operating on high-voltage signals, integrated circuits usually use I / O circuits as interfaces between low-voltage components and high-voltage components. This I / O circuit allows low-voltage components to communicate with high-voltage components while protectin...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

This gradual charging process results in slow PMOS transistor switching speed

It has been found that I / O circuits operating at a clock frequency higher than 100MHz will suffer from this slow switching speed and cause failure

This will cause a bottleneck in the performance of the I / O circuit

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