Patent · US Expired

Complementary level shifting logic circuit with improved switching time

US6404229B1 · kind B1 · utility

19Cited by
5References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateOct 31, 2000
Grant dateJun 11, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 31, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH03K3/012
  • WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A complementary logic circuit is provided which provides improved switching times over known complementary logic circuits. The circuit includes a further n-type transistor connected in series between a p-type and an n-type transistor. This additional n-type transistor has its gate permanently connected to an upper supply voltage, Vdd. When switching occurs the n-type transistor is effectively open circuit. This allows the first n-type transistor to switch on by a substantial amount quite quickly without ‘fighting’ the presently conducting p-type transistor. When the first n-type transistor has been turned substantially on second transistor becomes conductive. Then the p-type transistor is substantially turned off and no longer opposes the turning on of the first n-type transistor.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.