Level shifting and level-shifting amplifier circuits
First Claim
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1. An amplified level shifting circuit topology comprising:
- a first amplifying level shifting circuit capable of at least amplifying a variable input signal by a first gain factor greater than unity to provide an amplified and level shifted output signal; and
a second amplifying level shifting circuit capable of at least amplifying a fixed input reference signal by a second gain factor greater than unity to provide a fixed, amplified and level shifted output threshold signal, said amplified level shifting circuits being biased with respect to each other so that each has a DC transfer curve that is shifted with respect to the other.
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Abstract
Level shifting and amplified level shifting circuit topologies are provided that include two or more level shifting or amplified level shifting circuits. The level shifting circuits receive a variable and fixed input and generate a variable and fixed output that are level shifted with respect to the input signals. The amplified level shifting circuits receive a variable and fixed input and generate a variable and fixed output that are level shifted and amplified with respect to the input signals. These circuits may be utilized to form a detection circuit that detects a difference in the output signals.
71 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An amplified level shifting circuit topology comprising:
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a first amplifying level shifting circuit capable of at least amplifying a variable input signal by a first gain factor greater than unity to provide an amplified and level shifted output signal; and
a second amplifying level shifting circuit capable of at least amplifying a fixed input reference signal by a second gain factor greater than unity to provide a fixed, amplified and level shifted output threshold signal, said amplified level shifting circuits being biased with respect to each other so that each has a DC transfer curve that is shifted with respect to the other. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A detection circuit comprising:
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a first amplifying level shifting circuit capable of at least amplifying a variable input signal by a first gain factor greater than unity to provide an amplified and level shifted output signal;
a second amplifying level shifting circuit capable of at least amplifying a fixed input reference signal by a second gain factor greater than unity to provide a fixed, amplified and level shifted output threshold signal, said amplified level shifting circuits being biased with respect to each other so that each has a DC transfer curve that is shifted with respect to the other; and
a comparator capable of receiving said amplified and level shifted output signal and said fixed, amplified and level shifted output threshold signal and generating a signal indicative of a difference between said amplified and level shifted output signal and said fixed, amplified and level shifted output threshold signal. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A method comprising:
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amplifying a variable input signal by a first gain factor greater than unity, and shifting said variable input signal to provide an amplified and level shifted output signal from said variable input signal; and
amplifying a fixed input reference signal by a second gain factor greater than unity, and shifting said fixed input reference signal to provide a fixed, amplified and level shifted output threshold signal from said fixed input reference signal, said fixed, amplified and level shifted output threshold signal being shifted with respect to said amplified and level shifted output signal. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification