Level shifter for semiconductor memory device implemented with low-voltage transistors
First Claim
1. A level shifter including a stage having a first branch and a second branch, each branch including:
- a selection terminal for receiving a selection signal, the selection signal received by the first branch and the second branch being alternatively at a first voltage and at a second voltage higher than the first voltage in absolute value, a service terminal for receiving a third voltage higher than the second voltage in absolute value, an input circuit for coupling an intermediate node to the selection terminal when at the second voltage or for insulating the intermediate node from the selection terminal otherwise, an interface circuit for coupling an output terminal to the intermediate node when coupled or for insulating the output terminal from the intermediate node otherwise, and an output circuit for insulating the service terminal from the output terminal when coupled or for coupling the service terminal to the output terminal otherwise, the output terminals of the first branch and the second branch providing an output signal being alternatively at the second voltage or at the third voltage according to the selection signal.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A level shifter is proposed. The level shifter includes a stage having a first branch and a second branch, each branch including: a selection terminal for receiving a selection signal, the selection signal received by the first branch and the second branch being alternatively at a first voltage and at a second voltage higher than the first voltage in absolute value, a service terminal for receiving a third voltage higher than the second voltage in absolute value, an input circuit for coupling an intermediate node to the selection terminal when at the second voltage or for insulating the intermediate node from the selection terminal otherwise, an interface circuit for coupling an output terminal to the intermediate node when coupled or for insulating the output terminal from the intermediate node otherwise, and an output circuit for insulating the service terminal from the output terminal when coupled or for coupling the service terminal to the output terminal otherwise, the output terminals of the first branch and the second branch providing an output signal being alternatively at the second voltage or at the third voltage according to the selection signal.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A level shifter including a stage having a first branch and a second branch, each branch including:
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a selection terminal for receiving a selection signal, the selection signal received by the first branch and the second branch being alternatively at a first voltage and at a second voltage higher than the first voltage in absolute value, a service terminal for receiving a third voltage higher than the second voltage in absolute value, an input circuit for coupling an intermediate node to the selection terminal when at the second voltage or for insulating the intermediate node from the selection terminal otherwise, an interface circuit for coupling an output terminal to the intermediate node when coupled or for insulating the output terminal from the intermediate node otherwise, and an output circuit for insulating the service terminal from the output terminal when coupled or for coupling the service terminal to the output terminal otherwise, the output terminals of the first branch and the second branch providing an output signal being alternatively at the second voltage or at the third voltage according to the selection signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A level shifting method implemented by a level shifter including a stage having a first branch and a second branch, the method including the steps of:
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receiving a selection signal at a selection terminal, the selection signal received by the first branch and the second branch being alternatively at a first voltage and at a second voltage higher than the first voltage in absolute value, receiving a third voltage at a service terminal higher than the second voltage in absolute value, coupling an intermediate node to the selection terminal when at the second voltage or insulating the intermediate node from the selection terminal otherwise, coupling an output terminal to the intermediate node when coupled or insulating the output terminal from the intermediate node otherwise, and insulating the service terminal from the output terminal when coupled or coupling the service terminal to the output terminal otherwise, the output terminals of the first branch and the second branch providing an output signal being alternatively at the second voltage or at the third voltage according to the selection signal.
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11. A level shifter, comprising:
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a first input stage having an input node and first and second differential output nodes;
a first cascode stage having first and second differential input nodes coupled to the first and second output nodes of the input stage, having first and second differential output nodes, and having a first bias node; and
a first output stage having first and second differential nodes coupled to the first and second output nodes of the cascode stage, having a first supply node, and operable to generate a differential output signal across the first and second differential nodes. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An integrated circuit, comprising:
a level shifter, including an input stage having an input node and first and second differential output nodes, a cascode stage having first and second differential input nodes coupled to the first and second output nodes of the input stage, having first and second differential output nodes, and having a first bias node, and an output stage having first and second differential nodes coupled to the first and second output nodes of the cascode stage, having a first supply node, and operable to generate a differential output signal across the first and second differential nodes.
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23. A system, comprising:
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an integrated circuit, including a level shifter, including an input stage having an input node and first and second differential output nodes, a cascode stage having first and second differential input nodes coupled to the first and second output nodes of the input stage, having first and second differential output nodes, and having a first bias node, and an output stage having first and second differential nodes coupled to the first and second output nodes of the cascode stage, having a first supply node, and operable to generate a differential output signal across the first and second differential nodes, and a controller coupled to the integrated circuit. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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26. A method, comprising:
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receiving first and second input voltages at first and second input nodes of a first input stage;
coupling the first voltage from the first input node to a first output node of the input stage;
coupling the first voltage from the first output node to a first node of a first output stage having a supply node such that a first difference voltage between the first output node and the second input node of the input stage is less than or equal to a predetermined value;
generating on a second node of the output stage a third voltage such that a second difference voltage between the first node and the supply node of the output stage is less than or equal to the predetermined value, the third voltage being greater than a third difference voltage between the first and second voltages and less than or equal to substantially twice the third difference voltage. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification