Patent · US Active

Level shifter

US9484897B2 · kind B2 · utility

21Cited by
4References
55Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 18, 2015
Grant dateNov 1, 2016
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 27, 2035

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH10D86/201
  • WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Systems, methods, and apparatus for use in biasing and driving high voltage semiconductor devices using only low voltage transistors are described. The apparatus and method are adapted to control multiple high voltage semiconductor devices to enable high voltage power control, such as power amplifiers, power management and conversion and other applications wherein a first voltage is large compared to the maximum voltage handling of the low voltage control transistors. A DC/DC power conversion implementation from high input voltage to low output voltage using a novel level shifter which uses only low voltage transistors is also provided. Also presented is a level shifter in which floating nodes and high voltage capacitive coupling and control enable the high voltage control with low voltage transistors.

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