Voltage level translator circuit

Abstract

A voltage level translator circuit for translating an input signal referenced to a first voltage level to an output signal referenced to a second voltage level includes an input stage for receiving the input signal. The input stage includes at least one transistor device having a first threshold voltage associated therewith. The voltage level translator circuit further includes a latch circuit operative to store a signal representative of a logical state of the input signal. The latch circuit includes at least one transistor device having a second threshold voltage associated therewith, the second threshold voltage being greater than the first threshold voltage. A voltage clamp is operatively connected between the input stage and the latch circuit, the voltage clamp being configured to limit a voltage across the input stage based, at least in part, on a control signal presented thereto. The voltage level translator circuit includes a reference generator circuit for generating the control signal, a steady state value of the control signal being substantially equal to the first voltage level. The reference generator circuit is configured to adjust a voltage level of the control signal in response to the input signal.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.