A slicer with large input common mode range

(19)

(11)

EP 1 742 360 A3

(12)	EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88)	Date of publication A3:
	29.07.2009 Bulletin 2009/31

(43)	Date of publication A2:
	10.01.2007 Bulletin 2007/02

(21)	Application number: 06008843.2

(22)	Date of filing: 27.04.2006

(51)

Int. Cl.:

H03K 5/08 ^(2006.01)

(84)	Designated Contracting States:
	AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR
	Designated Extension States:
	AL BA HR MK YU

(30)

Priority:

08.07.2005 US 697387 P
16.08.2005 US 204113

(71)	Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
	Irvine, CA 92617 (US)

(72)	Inventors:
	Mohammadi, Behnam Irvine, California (US) Darabi, Hooman Irvine 92606 California (US)

(74)	Representative: Jehle, Volker Armin et al
	Bosch Jehle Patentanwaltsgesellschaft mbH Flüggenstrasse 13 80639 München 80639 München (DE)

(54)	A slicer with large input common mode range

(57) A slicer with large input common mode range is provided. The slicer includes an input stage coupled to receive an input signal, a current source for providing current for the input stage, a self-biased load coupled to the input stage to provide an initial output signal, and an inverter for inverting the initial output signal to provide a final output signal. The input stage includes a first circuit including a plurality of transistors and a complimentary circuit including a plurality of transistors. When a low common mode input voltage causes the transistors of the first circuit to turn off, the transistors of the complimentary circuit will take over to accomplish the same task as the first circuit.