US 2014/0368253 A1 · LEVEL CONVERSION CIRCUIT AND METHOD FOR CONVERTING VOLTAGE LEVEL THEREOF

Abstract

A level conversion circuit including a first level shifter and a second level shifter is provided. The first level shifter converts a first control voltage into a second control voltage during a voltage conversion period. The second level shifter is coupled to the first level shifter. The second level shifter converts the second control voltage into a third control voltage during the voltage conversion period to control a next stage circuit. The first level shifter is configured to detect a voltage level of a power domain where the third control voltage operates and generate a plurality of middle voltages based on the detection result. The second level shifter is configured to generate the third control voltage based on the middle voltages. Furthermore, a voltage level conversion method is also provided.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A level conversion circuit, comprising:

a first level shifter, converting a first control voltage into a second control voltage during a voltage conversion period, wherein the first control voltage is between a first voltage and a second voltage, and the second control voltage is between a first middle voltage and a second middle voltage;
and
a second level shifter, coupled to the first level shifter and converting the second control voltage into a third control voltage during the voltage conversion period to control a next stage circuit, wherein the third control voltage is between the first middle voltage and a third voltage,
wherein the first level shifter detects the third voltage and generates a plurality of middle voltages based on a detection result, the middle voltages comprise the first middle voltage, the second middle voltage, and a third middle voltage, and the second level shifter generates the third control voltage based on the middle voltages.

1 more element

A voltage level conversion method adaptable for a level conversion circuit, the voltage level conversion method comprising:

converting a first control voltage into a second control voltage during a voltage conversion period, wherein the first control voltage is between a first voltage and a second voltage, the second control voltage is between a first middle voltage and a second middle voltage;
and
converting the second control voltage into a third control voltage during the voltage conversion period to control a next stage circuit of the level conversion circuit, wherein the third control voltage is between the first middle voltage and a third voltage,
wherein before the step of converting the second control voltage into the third control voltage, the voltage level conversion method further comprises:
detecting the third voltage to generate a plurality of middle voltages based on a detection result, wherein the middle voltages comprises the first middle voltage, the second middle voltage and a third middle voltage;
and
in the step of converting the second control voltage into the third control voltage, the third control voltage is generated based on the middle voltages.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Level conversion circuit and method for converting voltage level thereof

Life of this patent

Level conversion circuit and method for converting voltage level thereof

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19