Memory Interface Receivers Having Pulsed Control Of Input Signal Attenuation Networks

摘要

Receivers for memory interfaces and related methods are disclosed having pulsed control of input signal attenuation networks. Embodiments include a DC common mode attenuation network, an AC coupling network, a pulse generator, and an amplifier. The pulse generator receives the output of the amplifier and generates a pulse signal that in part controls the operation of the attenuation network. The attenuation network generates an attenuated signal having reduced DC common mode levels. This attenuated signal is combined with an AC component passed by the AC coupling network. The resulting combined signal is detected and amplified by the amplifier. Different voltage domains are used for the attenuation network and the AC coupling network as compared to the amplifier and the pulse generator. By attenuating DC common mode levels while maintaining AC signal levels, the disclosed embodiments allow for proper signal detection over a wide range of DC common mode levels.

主权项

1. An interface receiver, comprising:
an attenuation network coupled to receive an input signal having a voltage swing around a DC common mode voltage level within a first voltage domain, the attenuation network being configured to attenuate the DC common mode voltage level and the voltage swing for the input signal and to output an attenuated signal; an amplifier configured to receive the attenuated signal and to output an amplified signal within a second voltage domain; and a pulse generator configured to generate a pulse signal within the second voltage domain based upon the amplified signal and to provide the pulse signal to the attenuation network to at least in part control operation of the attenuation network; wherein the second voltage domain has a lower supply voltage level than the first voltage domain.