Voltage level shifting circuit
US6433611B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 24, 2000 |
| Grant date | Aug 13, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 24, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K19/01812
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An integrated level shifter circuit converts an input signal having a first voltage potential to an output signal having a second voltage potential. The level shifter circuit provides circuit operation between the sections when the voltage potential of the input logic signal is converted to the output logic signal having lower voltage potential. For logic signals transmitted between sections of an integrated circuit operating with different supply voltages. The level shift circuit for each input includes two transistors and a voltage divider circuit having two resistors in series. The values of the resistors are selected to yield a desired output voltage at a node between the two resistors. In effect, the resistors lessen a full 0.9 volt diode drop to yield a level shift which is a fraction of a diode drop. A capacitor in parallel with the resistor provides a path for AC signals and increases both the speed and bandwidth of the level shifter.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.