A buffer characterized by a pull-up network (18) and a pull-down network (20) which are both coupled between an input (12/14) and an output (16) of the buffer. Each of the networks include a number of switch elements (22-30 and 44-52) which can be sequentially turned on or off by means of an RC network (32-38 and 54-60) to provide slew-rate control for the buffer. Preferably, each of the networks are associated with diode bypass networks (68-74 and 86-92) to reduce crowbar current. In operation, both the pull-up network and the pull-down network turn on slowly but turn off very quickly due to the diode bypass networks.
