Michael A. Nix

Low-voltage low-power LVDS drivers

Two low-voltage low-power LVDS drivers used for high-speed point-to-point links are discussed. While the previously reported LVDS drivers cannot operate with low-voltage supplies, the proposed double current sources (DCS) LVDS driver and the switchable current sources (SCS) LVDS driver are suitable for low-voltage applications. Although static current consumption is greater than the minimum amount required by the signal swing, the DCS LVDS driver is simple and fast. The SCS LVDS driver, by dynamically switching the current sources, draws minimum static current and reduces the power consumption by 60% compared to previously reported realizations. Both drivers were fabricated in a standard 0.35-/spl mu/m CMOS process; they are compliant with LVDS standards and can operate at data rates up to gigabits-per-second.