Digital voltage level shifter
First Claim
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1. A level shifter that converts an input signal at a first voltage level to an output signal at a second voltage level different from the first voltage level, the level shifter comprising:
- a voltage translation stage connected between a higher voltage source and ground, and including a first inverter that receives the input signal at the first voltage level and generates an intermediate signal at the second voltage level;
a driver stage connected between the higher voltage source and ground, and including a second inverter connected to the first inverter and receiving the intermediate signal and generating the output signal at the second voltage level; and
a control stage connected to the voltage translation stage and the driver stage, the control stage including,a feedback circuit branch connected between the higher voltage source and ground, anda control stage inverter connected between a lower voltage source and ground, wherein the control stage inverter receives the input signal and generates a control stage inverter output that is provided as an input to the second inverter and to the feedback circuit branch, and wherein the feedback circuit branch also receives the intermediate signal and the output signal and generates a feedback branch output signal that is input to the voltage translation stage.
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Abstract
A dual supply bidirectional level shifter performs voltage level shifting in two directions, low to high and high to low. A feedback control branch and a control stage inverter are provided that reduce leakage power and allow for low delay time while also allowing for a small circuit footprint.
29 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A level shifter that converts an input signal at a first voltage level to an output signal at a second voltage level different from the first voltage level, the level shifter comprising:
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a voltage translation stage connected between a higher voltage source and ground, and including a first inverter that receives the input signal at the first voltage level and generates an intermediate signal at the second voltage level; a driver stage connected between the higher voltage source and ground, and including a second inverter connected to the first inverter and receiving the intermediate signal and generating the output signal at the second voltage level; and a control stage connected to the voltage translation stage and the driver stage, the control stage including, a feedback circuit branch connected between the higher voltage source and ground, and a control stage inverter connected between a lower voltage source and ground, wherein the control stage inverter receives the input signal and generates a control stage inverter output that is provided as an input to the second inverter and to the feedback circuit branch, and wherein the feedback circuit branch also receives the intermediate signal and the output signal and generates a feedback branch output signal that is input to the voltage translation stage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification