Abstract: An output driver circuit that can be used to determine whether a repeater buffer is the only device driving a bus low. According to the invention, the current through the output driver circuit of the repeater buffer is compared with a reference current. If that current is greater than the reference current, then the output driver circuit (i.e., the repeater buffer) is the only output driving the bus low. On the other hand, if that current is less than the reference current, then the output driver circuit (and thus the repeater buffer) is not the only device driving the bus low. This information can be used in an I2C repeater to determine the proper response of the repeater and prevent a latch condition.

Abstract: The invention provides a voltage stabilized low level driver. The driver includes a switched op-amp that controls the output of the driver to match an internal reference voltage when it is switched on. When it is switched off, the op-amp turns off the output of the driver and allows the output to be pulled up by an external device. The driver also includes a slew rate control circuit for limiting the slew rate of the high-to-low transition at the output. The driver may be used for I2C applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides an output driver circuit that can be used to determine whether a repeater buffer is the only device driving a bus low. According to the invention, the current through the output driver circuit of the repeater buffer is compared with a reference current. If that current is greater than the reference current, then the output driver circuit (i.e., the repeater buffer) is the only output driving the bus low. On the other hand, if that current is less than the reference current, then the output driver circuit (and thus the repeater buffer) is not the only device driving the bus low. This information can be used in an I2C repeater to determine the proper response of the repeater and prevent a latch condition.