Circuit and method for operating a MOSFET control circuit with a system operating voltage greater than a maximum supply voltage limit
US6388468B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 30, 2000 |
| Grant date | May 14, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 30, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K17/785
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A circuit and method for operating a MOSFET control circuit, having a maximum supply voltage limit, with a system operating voltage greater than the maximum supply voltage limit. The system operating voltage is referenced to a first ground. The MOSFET control circuit has a power supply input for receiving the system operating voltage and for generating a signal having a maximum voltage level and a minimum voltage level. A ground floating circuit includes a second ground, having a greater potential than the first ground, for establishing a voltage difference between the MOSFET control circuit power supply input and the second ground. The voltage difference being less than the maximum supply voltage limit. A first signal level shifting circuit shifts one of the maximum voltage level and the minimum voltage level of the signal from a first reference voltage to a second reference voltage. The method includes the steps of providing the MOSFET control circuit; establishing the voltage difference with the ground floating circuit including the second ground; and shifting one of the maximum voltage level and the minimum voltage level of the signal from a first reference voltage to a second …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.