LEVEL CONVERTER CIRCUIT FOR USE IN CMOS CIRCUIT DEVICE PROVIDED FOR CONVERTING SIGNAL LEVEL OF DIGITAL SIGNAL TO HIGHER LEVEL
First Claim
1. A level converter circuit for converting an input signal that is a digital signal having a first signal level into an output signal having a second signal level higher than the first signal level, the level converter circuit comprising:
- an amplifier circuit that amplifies the input signal and outputs an amplified output signal;
a current generator circuit that generates a control current corresponding to an operating current flowing through the amplifier circuit when the signal level of the input signal changes; and
a current detector circuit that detects the control current generated by the current generator circuit, and controls the operating current of the amplifier circuit to correspond to the detected control current,wherein the current generator circuit comprises first and second n-channel MOS transistors that are inserted between the current detector circuit and the ground, and connected in series, andwherein the first n-channel MOS transistor operates in response to the input signal, and the second n-channel MOS transistor operates in response to an inverted signal of the input signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A level converter circuit is provided for converting an input signal of a digital signal having a first signal level into an output signal having a second signal level higher than the first signal level. An amplifier circuit amplifies the input signal and outputs an amplified output signal, and a current generator circuit generates a control current corresponding to an operating current flowing through the amplifier circuit upon change of the signal level of the input signal. A current detector circuit detects the generated control current, and controls the operating current of the amplifier circuit to correspond to the detected control current. The current generator circuit includes series-connected first and second nMOS transistors as inserted between the current detector circuit and the ground. The first nMOS transistor operates responsive to the input signal, and the second nMOS transistor operates responsive to an inverted signal of the input signal.
12 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A level converter circuit for converting an input signal that is a digital signal having a first signal level into an output signal having a second signal level higher than the first signal level, the level converter circuit comprising:
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an amplifier circuit that amplifies the input signal and outputs an amplified output signal; a current generator circuit that generates a control current corresponding to an operating current flowing through the amplifier circuit when the signal level of the input signal changes; and a current detector circuit that detects the control current generated by the current generator circuit, and controls the operating current of the amplifier circuit to correspond to the detected control current, wherein the current generator circuit comprises first and second n-channel MOS transistors that are inserted between the current detector circuit and the ground, and connected in series, and wherein the first n-channel MOS transistor operates in response to the input signal, and the second n-channel MOS transistor operates in response to an inverted signal of the input signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification