Compact integrated circuit input with level-shifting to support range of i/o voltages

A system comprising:

• an integrated circuit device comprising one or more input/output (I/O) pads;
• and
• at least one input circuit associated with at least one of the one or more I/O pads, each input circuit configured to level-shift an input signal received at the associated I/O pad and generate an output signal having a voltage range different than a voltage range of the input signal, each input circuit comprising:
• a blocking gate configured to level shift the input signal received at the associated I/O pad;
• and
• an inverter or buffer configured to generate the output signal based on an output of the blocking gate;
• wherein the input circuit is configured to generate the output signal such that the voltage range of the output signal spans between a first voltage provided to the inverter or buffer and a second voltage provided to the inverter or buffer.

A method comprising:

• receiving an input signal;
• and
• level-shifting the input signal to generate an output signal having a voltage range different than a voltage range of the input signal using an input circuit;
• wherein the input circuit comprises:
• a blocking gate that level shifts the input signal;
• and
• an inverter or buffer that generates the output signal based on an output of the blocking gate;
• and
• wherein the input circuit generates the output signal such that the voltage range of the output signal spans between a first voltage provided to the inverter or buffer and a second voltage provided to the inverter or buffer.