Voltage level shifter with testable cascode devices
AssigneeTexas Instruments Incorporated
InventorsTerence G. W. Blake, Bernhard H. Andresen, Frederick G. Wall
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Abstract
A voltage level shifter with testable cascode devices is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the level shifter includes multiple cascode devices and switches a first output driver according to the values of a data input and an enable input. Testability devices coupled to cascode devices of the level shifter detect a current in response to failure of the corresponding cascode device.
Claims13
A method for testing a level shifter having a plurality of cascode devices, the level shifter operable to couple a data input and an enable input to an output buffer and operable to receive a first voltage from a first reference supply and a second voltage from a second reference supply, comprising:
- coupling a testability device to a cascode device of the level shifter and to a substantially constant test reference supply;
- and
- detecting a test current in response to failure of the cascode device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.