Open collector

A simple schematic of an open collector of an integrated circuit (IC).

An open collector is a common type of output found on many integrated circuits (IC). Instead of outputting a signal of a specific voltage or current, the output signal is applied to the base of an internal NPN transistor whose collector is externalized (open) on a pin of the IC. The emitter of the transistor is connected internally to the ground pin. If the output device is a MOSFET the output is called open drain and it functions in a similar way.

Function

In the picture above, the transistor base is labeled "IC Output". This is an internal output from the internal IC logic to the transistor. From the point of view of the transistor, this is the input which controls the transistor switching. The external output is the transistor collector, and the transistor forms an interface between the internal IC logic and parts external to the IC.

The output essentially forms either an open circuit (no connection to anything) or a connection to ground. The output usually comprises an external pull-up resistor, which raises the output voltage when the transistor is turned off. When the transistor connected to this resistor is turned on, the output is forced to nearly 0 volts. Open-collector outputs can be useful for analog weighting, summing, limiting, etc., but such applications are not discussed here.

A three-state logic device is unlike an open collector device, because it comprises transistors to source and sink current in both logic states, as well as a control to turn off both transistors and isolate the output.

Applications of open-collector devices

Because the pull-up resistor is external and need not be connected to the chip supply voltage, a lower or higher voltage can be used instead. Open collector circuits are therefore sometimes used to interface different families of devices that have different operating voltage levels. The open-collector transistor can be rated to withstand a higher voltage than the chip supply voltage. Such devices are commonly used to drive devices such as Nixie tubes, and vacuum fluorescent displays which require higher operating voltages than the usual 5-volt logic supply.

Another advantage is that more than one open-collector output can connect to a single line. If all outputs attached to the line are in the high-impedance state, the pull-up resistor will hold the wire in a high voltage(logic 1) state. If one or more device outputs are in the logic 0 (ground) state, they will sink current and pull the line voltage toward ground. This wired logic connection has several uses.

Open-collector devices are commonly used to connect multiple devices to a bus (i.e., one carrying interrupt or write-enable signals). This enables one device to drive the bus without interference from the other inactive devices - if open-collector devices are not used, then the outputs of the inactive devices would attempt to hold the bus voltage high, resulting in unpredictable output.

By tying the output of several open collectors together, the common line becomes a "wired AND" (positive-true logic) or "wired OR" (negative-true logic) gate. A "wired AND" behaves like the boolean AND of the two (or more) gates in that it will be logic 1 whenever (all) are in the high impedance state, and 0 otherwise. A "wired OR" behaves like the Boolean OR for negative-true logic, where the output is LOW if any one of its inputs is low. Such circuit constructions are termed "wired-AND" and "wired-OR", respectively.

SCSI-1 devices use open collector for electrical signaling. SCSI-2 and SCSI-3 may use EIA-485.

One problem with open-collector devices is power consumption, since they tend to require higher current minimums for correct operation. Even in the 'off' state, they often have a few nanoamps of leakage current (the exact amount varies with temperature).

Active-low wired-OR / active-high wired-AND circuit using open-drain gates.

MOSFET

The analogous connection used with MOS transistors is an open-drain connection. Open-drain outputs can be useful for analog weighting, summing, and limiting as well as digital logic. An open drain terminal is connected to ground when a high voltage (logic 1) is applied to the gate, yet presents a high impedance when a low voltage (logic 0) is applied to the gate. This high impedance state occurs because the terminal is at an undefined voltage (floating) thus such a device requires an external pull-up resistor connected to the positive voltage rail (logic 1) in order to provide a logic 1 as output.

Note that microelectronic devices using open drain signals (such as microcontrollers) may provide a 'weak' internal pull-up resistor to connect the terminal in question to a positive voltage source/rail like V_dd of the device. Such weak pullups, often on the order of 100 kΩ, reduce power usage by keeping input signals from floating. External pullups are stronger (perhaps 3 kΩ) to reduce signal rise times (like with I²C) or to minimize noise (like on system RESET inputs). Internal pullups can often be disabled for cases where there is an external one, or in other cases where they are not needed.

References

• "Open Collector Outputs". 
• Horowitz, Paul; Winfield Hill (1989). The Art of Electronics (Second Edition ed.). Cambridge University Press. 

External links

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