US Patent 7852120 Bi-directional buffer for open-drain or open-collector bus

Provided herein are bi-directional buffers, and methods for providing bi-directional buffering. In an embodiment, a bi-directional buffer includes a differential input/differential output amplifier that includes a first input/output node and a second/input output node. The differential input/differential output amplifier is configurable in a first configuration and a second configuration. When in the first configuration, the second input/output node follows the first input/output node. When in the second configuration, the first input/output node follows the second input/output node.