An Analog Driver compliant with Supply Voltages exceeding the Ratings of Standard CMOS Processes

In this paper, a high-voltage-tolerant analog driver is presented, implemented with a standard ${0.18\ \mu} \mathbf{m}$ CMOS technology. The circuit is based on a class-AB operational amplifier, provided with cascode configurations and MOSFET-based clamps to ensure device protection against gate oxide breakdown. Extensive tests performed on a test chip demonstrated the capability of the proposed amplifier to relia-bly operate with a supply voltage as high as 8 V (more than two times higher than the nominal supply voltage of the process), achieving a rail-to-rail output swing.