Re: [SI-LIST] : PECL output buffer implementation in CMOS

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From: Larry Miller ([email protected])
Date: Wed Nov 03 1999 - 10:19:33 PST


I was hoping this was the answer:

>The current PECL outputs are 100% N-channel and thus inherently
>latchup immune. Doesn't mean that things couldn't change next
>time around, assuming I lose the fight to ditch the stupid things.
>

Thanks,

Larry

At 07:50 AM 11/3/99 -0700, you wrote:
>Larry Miller wrote:
>>
>> Our 1 Gb Ethernet SERDES chips have gone over from bipolar to CMOS "PECL".
>> We had some trouble with early versions latching up.
>>
>> Have you had to allow for this?
>
>You always have to watch out for latchup in CMOS. Depending on the
>process and output structures used it ranges from a nightmare to a
>routine diligence issue. VLSI always used a bulk P- material and
>was therefore very susceptible from a process standpoint, making up
>the difference with design features such as dummy collectors and
>spacing rules.
>
>The current PECL outputs are 100% N-channel and thus inherently
>latchup immune. Doesn't mean that things couldn't change next
>time around, assuming I lose the fight to ditch the stupid things.
>
>> At 09:37 AM 11/2/99 -0700, you wrote:
>> >Jayarama Shenoy wrote:
>> >>
>> >> Hi All,
>> >>
>> >> Can someone provide insight into PECL output buffer
>> >> implementation in CMOS tecnologies? It is being claimed
>> >> that this cannot be done while at the same time retaining
>> >> the power supply noise rejection of differential output
>> >> drivers, which I find hard to understand.
>> >>
>> >> Any pointers to public literature on PECL (or similar diff-
>> >> erential) output drivers in CMOS will be greatly appreciated.
>> >
>> >Hey, Jay.
>> >
>> >PECL can most certainly be done in CMOS. That, or the ones I'm
>> >shipping use previously-unknown laws of physics. As for telling
>> >YOU the details, you now need an NDA. Should've asked before you
>> >left!
>> >
>> >Seriously, what your sources were referring to was that since CMOS
>> >doesn't make efficient low-offset pullup followers the way bipolar
>> >does, you don't get the benefits of hanging the positive rail on
>> >the high-impedance collector (or drain) node of the transistor.
>> >The high impedance of the collector node means that voltage noise
>> >on the positive rail doesn't show up as current noice on the output.
>> >
>> >The hidden assumption here is that the CMOS output follower has to
>> >run on the same supply as the predriver. Where bipolar thrives on
>> >small base-emitter voltages, MOS devices need more voltage bias and
>> >the voltages available in PECL aren't well-chosen for this. (Duh!)
>> >
>> >On the other hand, nowhere is it written in stone that the positive
>> >rail for PECL has to be +5 volts. 2.5 volts with a 3.3 volt predriver
>> >gives an output common-mode point of about 1.2 volts, which is by
>> >astonishing coincidence also (a) centered in the rails, and (b) the
>> >common-mode point for LVDS. Astonishing. And along with this comes
>> >a high-state Vgs of 1.5 volts, which is enough to make a reasonable
>> >NMOS output device happy without desaturating it.
>> >
>> >Another possibility is to run open-drain. If you absolutely need the
>> >speed, this is nice because you don't have to coordinate the pullup
>> >an pulldown devices.
>> >
>> >The reference supply voltage for PECL is a system tradeoff. Personally,
>> >the more I work with PECL the more unprintable things I find to say
>> >about it. That acronym lends itself to some amazing abuse, let me
>> >tell you. If you have *anything* resembling a choice, run (don't walk)
>> >to a more sensible scheme like HSTL or GLVDS. A lot of the 'PECL'
>> >applications I'm seeing actually don't require PECL and would work fine
>> >with almost any low-swing differential scheme.
>> >
>> >--
>> >D. C. Sessions
>> >[email protected]
>> >
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>> >
>>
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>
>--
>D. C. Sessions
>[email protected]
>
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>

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