Patent · US Expired

Voltage level translator circuit with wide supply voltage range

US7397279B2 · kind B2 · utility

11Cited by
12References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 27, 2006
Grant dateJul 8, 2008
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 25, 2026

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH03K3/356104
  • WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A voltage level translator circuit for translating an input signal referenced to a first voltage supply to an output signal referenced to a second voltage supply includes an input stage for receiving the input signal, the input stage including at least one transistor device having a first threshold voltage associated therewith. The voltage level translator circuit further includes a latch circuit operative to store a signal representative of a logic state of the input signal, the latch circuit including at least one transistor device having a second threshold voltage associated therewith, the second threshold voltage being greater than the first threshold voltage. A voltage clamp circuit is connected between the input stage and the latch circuit. The voltage clamp circuit is operative to limit a voltage across the input stage, an amplitude of the voltage across the input stage being controlled as a function of a voltage difference between the first and second voltage supplies.

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