Structure and functionality reduce differential leakage current and compensate for differential capacitance discharge current from diode configurations to mitigate differential output polarity reversal that may occur in driver circuits. In an example driver circuit, one of two current sources coupled between a supply voltage and one output node is disabled during a driver disable time period (t.sub.pz) while the other continues to operate during a pre-charge monopulse time period (t.sub.d) within t.sub.pz. A third current source on the other side of the driver circuit and coupled to ground is also disabled during t.sub.pz. During t.sub.d, the following components are enabled: a charge current source coupled between the supply voltage and a second output node; a pair of current switches respectively coupled to the output nodes; and a pair of pull-down switches respectively coupled to control terminals of the current switches. After t.sub.pz, during a compensation time period (t.sub.comp), the current sources enabled during to are disabled and a compensation current source is enabled. After t.sub.comp, the compensation current source is disabled.

Structure and functionality reduce differential leakage current and compensate for differential capacitance discharge current from diode configurations to mitigate differential output polarity reversal that may occur in driver circuits. In an example driver circuit, one of two current sources coupled between a supply voltage and one output node is disabled during a driver disable time period (t.sub.pz) while the other continues to operate during a pre-charge monopulse time period (t.sub.d) within t.sub.pz. A third current source on the other side of the driver circuit and coupled to ground is also disabled during t.sub.pz. During t.sub.d, the following components are enabled: a charge current source coupled between the supply voltage and a second output node; a pair of current switches respectively coupled to the output nodes; and a pair of pull-down switches respectively coupled to control terminals of the current switches. After t.sub.pz, during a compensation time period (t.sub.comp), the current sources enabled during to are disabled and a compensation current source is enabled. After t.sub.comp, the compensation current source is disabled.

A circuit including: a transistor, a base of the transistor being switchably connectable to a signal source; and a first diode connected between the base and a reference voltage. The circuit is arranged such that when the signal source is not connected to the base of the transistor, a voltage applied at an emitter of the transistor causes a current flow through the base of the transistor and through the first diode such that the transistor is in an ON state, and when the signal source is connected to the base of the transistor, current flow through the base reduces such that the transistor switches to an OFF state. The circuit includes a second diode, and the signal source is connectable to the base of the transistor through the second diode.

An inverter logic circuit includes a bipolar junction transistor and a zener diode. The zener diode is connected between the base of the bipolar junction transistor and ground (or other reference voltage). The zener diode is reverse biased such that a leakage current through the zener diode allows for sufficient current through the emitter-base terminals of the bipolar junction transistor when a voltage is applied across the emitter and base terminals of the bipolar junction transistor to turn the transistor ON in the absence of an external signal to the base. As such the bipolar junction transistor functions as a normally ON bipolar junction transistor.

An inverter logic circuit includes a bipolar junction transistor and a zener diode. The zener diode is connected between the base of the bipolar junction transistor and ground (or other reference voltage). The zener diode is reverse biased such that a leakage current through the zener diode allows for sufficient current through the emitter-base terminals of the bipolar junction transistor when a voltage is applied across the emitter and base terminals of the bipolar junction transistor to turn the transistor ON in the absence of an external signal to the base. As such the bipolar junction transistor functions as a normally ON bipolar junction transistor.

In an example driver circuit, one of two current sources coupled between a supply voltage and one output node is disabled during a driver disable time period (tpz) while the other continues to operate during a pre-charge monopulse time period (td) within tpz. A third current source on the other side of the driver circuit and coupled to ground is also disabled during tpz. During td, the following components are enabled: a charge current source coupled between the supply voltage and a second output node; a pair of current switches respectively coupled to the output nodes; and a pair of pull-down switches respectively coupled to control terminals of the current switches. After tpz, during a compensation time period (tcomp), the current sources enabled during td are disabled and a compensation current source is enabled. After tcomp, the compensation current source is disabled.

In an example driver circuit, one of two current sources coupled between a supply voltage and one output node is disabled during a driver disable time period (tpz) while the other continues to operate during a pre-charge monopulse time period (td) within tpz. A third current source on the other side of the driver circuit and coupled to ground is also disabled during tpz. During td, the following components are enabled: a charge current source coupled between the supply voltage and a second output node; a pair of current switches respectively coupled to the output nodes; and a pair of pull-down switches respectively coupled to control terminals of the current switches. After tpz, during a compensation time period (tcomp), the current sources enabled during td are disabled and a compensation current source is enabled. After tcomp, the compensation current source is disabled.

An inverter logic circuit includes a bipolar junction transistor and a zener diode. The zener diode is connected between the base of the bipolar junction transistor and ground (or other reference voltage). The zener diode is reverse biased such that a leakage current through the zener diode allows for sufficient current through the emitter-base terminals of the bipolar junction transistor when a voltage is applied across the emitter and base terminals of the bipolar junction transistor to turn the transistor ON in the absence of an external signal to the base. As such the bipolar junction transistor functions as a normally ON bipolar junction transistor.

An inverter logic circuit includes a bipolar junction transistor and a zener diode. The zener diode is connected between the base of the bipolar junction transistor and ground (or other reference voltage). The zener diode is reverse biased such that a leakage current through the zener diode allows for sufficient current through the emitter-base terminals of the bipolar junction transistor when a voltage is applied across the emitter and base terminals of the bipolar junction transistor to turn the transistor ON in the absence of an external signal to the base. As such the bipolar junction transistor functions as a normally ON bipolar junction transistor.

A circuit including: a transistor, a base of the transistor being switchably connectable to a signal source; and a first diode connected between the base and a reference voltage. The circuit is arranged such that when the signal source is not connected to the base of the transistor, a voltage applied at an emitter of the transistor causes a current flow through the base of the transistor and through the first diode such that the transistor is in an ON state, and when the signal source is connected to the base of the transistor, current flow through the base reduces such that the transistor switches to an OFF state. The circuit includes a second diode, and the signal source is connectable to the base of the transistor through the second diode.