Apparatus and method providing an interface between a first voltage domain and a second voltage domain
US8421516B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 18, 2010 |
| Grant date | Apr 16, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 8, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K19/018521
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An interface between first and second voltage domains is provided. A level shifter is configured to receive an input signal from the first voltage domain and to level shift the input signal to provide an output signal for passing to the second voltage domain. A control signal generator is configured to generate a second voltage domain control signal in dependence on at least one first voltage domain control signal from a controller in the first voltage domain. The level shifter is configured to be in a retention state when the second voltage domain control signal has a first value, such that its output signal is held constant even when the controller becomes not actively driven by the first voltage supply. The level shifter is configured to be in a transmission state when the second voltage domain control signal has a second value, wherein the output signal depends on the input signal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.