Level shifter reference generator
AssigneeLSI Logic Corporation
InventorsTodd A. Randazzo, E. Wayne Porter
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A core voltage to input output voltage level shifter of the type that uses a reference voltage source to generate a reference voltage to limit a drain voltage on at least one voltage sensitive node connected to a voltage sensitive switching device, that resides on a high voltage domain. A feed back line runs from the voltage sensitive node to the reference voltage source. A feed back structure varies the reference voltage in response to the drain voltage on the at least one voltage sensitive node, and thereby maintains the drain voltage at a substantially constant desired value.
Claims20
In a core voltage to input output voltage level shifter of the type that uses a reference voltage source to generate a reference voltage to limit a drain voltage on at least one voltage sensitive node connected to a voltage sensitive switching device residing on a high voltage domain, the improvement comprising:
- a feed back line running from the voltage sensitive node to the reference voltage source, and
- a feed back structure for varying the reference voltage in response to the drain voltage on the at least one voltage sensitive node, and thereby maintaining the drain voltage at a substantially constant desired value.
An integrated circuit, the improvement comprising:
- a core voltage to input output voltage level shifter that uses a reference voltage source to generate a reference voltage to limit a drain voltage on at least one voltage sensitive node connected to a voltage sensitive switching device residing on a high voltage domain,
- a feed back line running from the voltage sensitive node to the reference voltage source, and
- a feed back structure for varying the reference voltage in response to the drain voltage on the at least one voltage sensitive node, and thereby maintaining the drain voltage at a substantially constant desired value.
A method for limiting a drain voltage on at least one voltage sensitive node connected to a voltage sensitive switching device residing on a high voltage domain in a core voltage to input output voltage level shifter of the type that uses a reference voltage source to generate a reference voltage, the method comprising the steps of:
- sensing the drain voltage on the at least one voltage sensitive node with a feed back line running from the voltage sensitive node to the reference voltage source, and
- varying the reference voltage in response to the drain voltage on the at least one voltage sensitive node with a feed back structure, and thereby maintaining the drain voltage at a substantially constant desired value.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.