CMOS power switching circuit usable in DC-DC converter

US7659754B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• TEXAS INSTRUMENTS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH · DE

Inventors

• Gerhard Thiele · Dachau, DE
• Erich Bayer · Straubing, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 13, 2007
• Grant date: Feb 9, 2010
• Expiry date: Feb 20, 2028

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H03K2217/0036
• WIPO field: Basic communication processes
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A power switching circuit in CMOS technology has a power MOS transistor and a driver stage. The power MOS transistor is operated at a higher supply voltage in excess of its maximum allowable gate-source voltage; and the driver stage of the level shifter is operated at a lower supply voltage substantially lower than the supply voltage for the power MOS transistor. The driver stage includes a pair of driver MOS transistors coupled in series between a higher supply voltage rail and a reference potential rail, and at an interconnection node coupled to the gate of the power MOS transistor. The gates of the driver MOS transistors are AC-coupled to drive signals of mutually opposite phase; and the gates of the driver MOS transistors are each connected to the higher voltage supply rail through a respective parallel connection of a first resistor and a second resistor connected in series with a non-linear component. The resistance value of the second resistor is substantially smaller than the resistance value of the first resistor.