Duane Morris LLP
Level shifter for high density integrated circuits
A level shifter for converting between voltages of a core voltage range to voltages within a larger I/O voltage range. The level shifter has interconnected transistors implemented as core devices operable within the core voltage range. The level shifter is connected to first and second power connections at the I/O voltage range. A voltage clamping element implemented as a core device has a threshold voltage greater than or equal to the difference between the I/O voltage range and the core voltage range and configured to prevent overstressing the transistors with voltages beyond the core voltage range. The input to the level shifter is within the core voltage range. The level shifter output signal has a high level at the high voltage of the I/O voltage range and a low level at approximately one threshold voltage above the low voltage level of the core voltage range.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
H H
H03K H03K
inventional inventional
Ruey-Bin Tien-Chien
Sheen Huang