Level shifter circuit
US5659258A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 27, 1994 |
| Grant date | Aug 19, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 27, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K3/356113
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
There is provided a level shifter circuit which operates such that when the potential of the input signal changes from the ground potential to the first power source potential, the third transistor turns to be ON, and the fifth transistor turns to be OFF. On this instance, since the potential of the output signal is higher than the first power source potential, the second electrode of the first transistor is initiated to be charged up through the third and the fourth transistors. After that, the potential of the output signal falls down when the eighth transistor turns to be ON state. Since the potential of the second electrode of the first transistor has been charged up, the second transistor quickly turns to be OFF state so that the rush current is reduced flown from the second power source potential to the ground potential. When the potential of the output signal drops down enough, the fourth transistor turns to be OFF state so that the rush current flown from the second power source potential to the first power source potential is prevented.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.