Level shifter circuit to minimize duty-cycle distortion on clock paths
First Claim
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1. A level shifter, comprising:
- an input stage coupled to a first power supply of a first power domain to receive an input signal;
an output stage coupled to a second power supply of a second power domain to generate an output signal;
a first switch coupled directly between the output stage and the second power supply, wherein the input signal controls the first switch to enhance discharging of a source of a first pull-up transistor of the output stage;
a latch in the second power domain, the latch being coupled between the input stage and the output stage; and
a bypass switch coupled between the output stage and the latch, wherein the bypass switch is controlled by a delayed version of the input signal to initiate charging of a gate of the first pull-up transistor of the output stage.
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Abstract
A novel clock level-shifter to reduce duty-cycle distortion across wide input-output voltage operating range is disclosed. In some implementations, a level shifter includes an input stage coupled to a first power supply to receive an input signal, an output stage coupled to a second power supply to generate an output signal, and a first switch coupled directly between the output stage and the second power supply, wherein the input signal turns on or off the first switch. In some implementations, the first switch has a gate, a source, and a drain, the source being coupled to the second power supply, the drain being coupled to the output stage, and the gate being driven directly by the input signal.
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13 Claims
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1. A level shifter, comprising:
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an input stage coupled to a first power supply of a first power domain to receive an input signal; an output stage coupled to a second power supply of a second power domain to generate an output signal; a first switch coupled directly between the output stage and the second power supply, wherein the input signal controls the first switch to enhance discharging of a source of a first pull-up transistor of the output stage; a latch in the second power domain, the latch being coupled between the input stage and the output stage; and a bypass switch coupled between the output stage and the latch, wherein the bypass switch is controlled by a delayed version of the input signal to initiate charging of a gate of the first pull-up transistor of the output stage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method to level shift an input signal, comprising:
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receiving the input signal at an input stage in a first power domain associated with a first power supply; generating an output signal at an output stage in a second power domain associated with a second power supply; using the input signal to directly control a first switch in the output stage to enhance discharging of a source of a first pull-up transistor of the output stage; providing a latch in the second power domain to store a value corresponding to the input signal; and using a delayed version of the input signal to control a bypass switch to initiate charging of a gate of the first pull-up transistor of the output stage. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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Specification