Switching circuits, latches and methods

摘要

Switching circuits, latches and methods are provided, such as those that may respond to an input signal that transitions from a first binary level to a second binary level. One such switching circuit may have a metastable state that is closer to a first voltage corresponding to the first binary level than it is to a second voltage corresponding to the second binary level. In other embodiments, the metastable state may be dynamically adjustable so that it is at one voltage before the circuit switches and at a different voltage after the circuit switches. As a result, the switching circuit may respond relatively quickly to the input signal transitioning from the first binary level to the second binary level.

主权项

1. A method of switching a digital circuit that is configured to respond to an input signal, the method comprising:
receiving, at an input node, an input signal transitioning from a first binary state to a second binary state at a first rate; detecting a transition of the input signal with a signal level detector having a metastable state closer to a first voltage corresponding to the first binary state than a second voltage corresponding to the second binary state; and responsive to detecting the transition, driving the input node to the second binary state at a second rate, the second rate faster than the first rate.