Digital logic compatible inputs in compound semiconductor circuits
AssigneeRenesas Electronics America Inc.
InventorsVictor Korol, Roberto Aparicio Joo
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Abstract
An apparatus includes a device comprising a semiconductor junction configured to generate a reference voltage, a voltage divider circuit, a comparator circuit, and a first output circuit. The voltage divider circuit may be configured to generate a first predetermined threshold voltage in response to the reference voltage. The comparator circuit may be configured to generate a first intermediate signal in response to a comparison of the first predetermined threshold voltage and an input signal. The first output circuit may be configured to generate a first output signal in response to the first intermediate signal.
Claims13
A method of generating an internal control signal in a compound semiconductor integrated circuit comprising a compound semiconductor material, said method comprising:
- generating, in the compound semiconductor integrated circuit, a bandgap voltage using a semiconductor junction formed in said compound semiconductor material, the bandgap voltage having a voltage value corresponding to said compound semiconductor material;
- generating, in the compound semiconductor integrated circuit, a first predetermined threshold voltage by providing the bandgap voltage, from a node between a terminal of the semiconductor junction and a positive power supply, to a voltage divider and setting an output of the voltage divider as the first predetermined threshold voltage, the first predetermined threshold voltage corresponding to a threshold voltage value disposed between a range of voltage values corresponding to a logical high state and a range of voltage values corresponding to a logical low state;
- obtaining, in the compound semiconductor integrated circuit, an input signal from a digital control circuit external to the compound semiconductor integrated circuit, said input signal having a voltage outside of:
- the range of voltage values corresponding to said logical low state;
- and
- the range of voltage values corresponding to said logical high state;
- generating, in the compound semiconductor integrated circuit, a first intermediate signal based on a comparison of said first predetermined threshold voltage and said voltage of said input signal;
- and
- generating, in the compound semiconductor integrated circuit, a first output signal based on said first intermediate signal, wherein said first output signal has a first level when said voltage of said input signal is less than said first predetermined threshold voltage and a second level when said voltage of said input signal is greater than said first predetermined threshold voltage,
- wherein the first output signal is configured to control an internal circuitry of the compound semiconductor integrated circuit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.