Low-to-high voltage conversion method and system
AssigneeFujitsu Limited
InventorsNestor Tzartzanis, William W. Walker
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method, for converting a voltage input from a low voltage source to a voltage output at a high voltage source using a domino logic circuit design. An embodiment provides a low to high voltage conversion system. The system includes: a pull-up transistor coupled to a high voltage source for charging a node, when a precharge signal is received; a low voltage source used for setting an input voltage; a pull-down network for discharging the node depending, at least in part, on the input voltage; and an output voltage determined from the node.
Claims27
A method for converting an input signal, comprising an input voltage from a low voltage source, to an output signal, comprising an output voltage from a high voltage source, by a digital circuit, comprising a pull-down logic network coupled to a node, said method comprising:
- precharging said node to a high voltage using said high voltage source;
- receiving said input voltage from said low voltage source by said pull-down logic network;
- determining a voltage of said node based on evaluating said pull-down logic network;
- and
- using said voltage of said node, determining said output voltage.
A low to high voltage conversion system, comprising:
- a pull-up transistor coupled to a high voltage source for charging a node, when a precharge signal is received;
- a low voltage source used for setting an input voltage, wherein said low voltage source produces a voltage reference less than said high voltage source;
- a pull-down network for discharging said node depending, at least in part, on said input voltage;
- and
- an output voltage determined from said node.
A system for converting a first logic level at a low voltage to a second logic level at a high voltage, comprising:
- a pull-up transistor coupled to a high voltage source for charging a node, when a precharge signal is at a low logic level;
- an input signal, comprising an input voltage representing said first logic level, said input voltage set by using a low voltage source;
- a pull-down network for discharging said node depending, at least in part, on said input voltage;
- a footer switch, comprising an nMOS transistor, and connecting said pull-down network to ground when said precharge signal is at a high logic level;
- and
- a keeper circuit, comprising a pMOS transistor, for maintaining said node when charged;
- and
- an output voltage determined from said node.
A register file circuit for storing data, comprising:
- a write circuit for writing data to a plurality of memory cells, said write circuit comprising a voltage conversion circuit, comprising a low voltage source and a high voltage source;
- a read circuit for reading data from said plurality of memory cells;
- and
- a timing circuit comprising real and dummy timing paths.
A system for converting an input signal, comprising an input voltage from a low voltage source, to an output signal, comprising an output voltage from a high voltage source, comprising:
- means for precharging a node to a high voltage using said high voltage source;
- means for evaluating a voltage of said node based on said input voltage from said low voltage source and a pull-down network, wherein said pull-down network has means for connecting said pull-down network to ground;
- and
- means for using said voltage of said node to determine said output voltage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.