US 12,615,048 B2 · Voltage level shifters and output driver including voltage level shifters for low power reset and hold

Abstract

Disclosed are voltage level shifters and an output driver including them. Each voltage level shifter includes an input section with first and second intermediate nodes and an output section connected thereto. Each voltage level shifter is configured to achieve desired outputs particularly when a voltage rail in a high voltage domain is powering up but a voltage rail in a low voltage domain is at 0.0V or when the voltage rail in the high voltage domain is powered up and the voltage rail in the low voltage domain is powering down. To achieve the desired outputs, the output section includes, among other components, two output stabilizing transistors series-connected to the second intermediate node and having gates connected to the first intermediate node and a feedback node, respectively. The input section includes, among other components, a pull-down transistor connected to the first intermediate node and controlled by the second intermediate node.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A structure comprising:

an input section including:
a first intermediate node and a second intermediate node;
and
an output section including:
an inverter connected in series between the second intermediate node and a feedback node;
and
two transistors connected in series between the second intermediate node and a ground rail, wherein gates of the two transistors are connected to the first intermediate node and the feedback node, respectively.

4 more elements

A structure comprising:

a pull-up path connected to an output pad and including a first voltage level shifter, a first pre-driver, and a first main driver;
and
a pull-down path connected to the output pad and including a second voltage level shifter, a second pre-driver, and a second main driver,
wherein the first voltage level shifter and the second voltage level shifter each include:
an input section including;
a first intermediate node;
and a second intermediate node;
and
an output section including:
an inverter connected in series between the second intermediate node and a feedback node;
and
two transistors connected in series between the second intermediate node and a ground rail, wherein gates of the two transistors are connected to the first intermediate node and the feedback node, respectively.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

18/792,689Filed 2 Aug 2024

Published

US 2026/0039300 A15 Feb 2026

Granted

28 Apr 2026

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

H03K 19/018521
Interface arrangements: of complementary type, e.g. CMOS
H03K 3/037
By the use of logic circuits, with internal or external positive feedback: bistable circuits
H03K 3/356182
Using complementary field-effect transistors: with additional means for controlling the main nodes
H03K 17/223
Modifications for ensuring a predetermined initial state when the supply voltage has been applied: in field-effect transistor switches

Voltage level shifters and output driver including voltage level shifters for low power reset and hold

Life of this patent

Voltage level shifters and output driver including voltage level shifters for low power reset and hold

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20