Patent attributes
A USB transmitter 3.3V output stage includes a PMOS cascode transistor connected between a PMOS pullup transistor and a USB port data pin, an NMOS cascode transistor connected between an NMOS pulldown transistor and the data pin, and an output driver circuit that generates a pullup signal range of 0.8V to 3.3V, and a pulldown signal range of 0V to 2.5V, whereby the pullup and pulldown transistors are subjected to 2.5V gate-to-source potentials. A protection/bias circuit biases the PMOS cascode transistor during normal operation such that the pullup resistance matches the pulldown resistance, and turns off the PMOS cascode transistor to shut off the pullup path during a 5V short condition. N-wells of the PMOS pullup and cascode transistors are connected to the 3.3V supply via a resistor.
