Electronic device for shifting voltage level
By introducing feedback components in the electronic device, the voltage level from the third domain to the second domain is realized, which solves the problem of difficulty in maintaining signal integrity and reliability during level shifting, and achieves low latency and high signal quality level shift.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202411057353.5
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-08-04
- Filing Date
- 2024-08-02
- Publication Date
- 2025-02-14
AI Technical Summary
The prior art is difficult to maintain signal integrity and reliability during level shifting, especially when facing problems such as noise, distortion or data corruption.
By introducing a feedback component in the electronic device, a voltage level from the third domain to the second domain is achieved, thereby improving the stability of the state transition and reducing time delay.
Improves signal integrity and reliability during level shifting, reduces the risk of noise and data corruption, and achieves low-latency level shifting.
Smart Images
Figure CN119448994A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to level shifting. Specific embodiments relate to an electronic device for shifting voltage levels. Background Art
[0002] In the context of power management integrated circuits (PMICs), one-shot level shifting refers to a technique used to convert the voltage level of a signal from one domain to another in a single transition.
[0003] PMICs are commonly used to regulate and manage power in electronic devices. They often need to interface with different voltage domains within the device, where each domain operates at a specific voltage level.
[0004] One-shot level shifting is used to perform this voltage translation in a single transition, thereby minimizing the time required to change the voltage level. It ensures that the transition is completed quickly without any intermediate voltage states that could cause undesirable behavior or cause signal integrity issues. This technique helps maintain signal integrity and reliability during voltage level shifting.
[0005] By using one-shot level shifting, the PMIC can effectively handle the voltage translation task between different domains, thereby facilitating proper communication and interaction between components operating at different voltage levels in electronic devices.
[0006] Maintaining signal integrity during level shifting is useful to prevent problems like noise, distortion, or data corruption. Techniques such as noise filtering, impedance matching, and signal conditioning can be employed to minimize signal degradation during voltage transitions, thereby ensuring reliable communication between different voltage domains. Summary of the invention
[0007] It is therefore an object of at least some embodiments according to the present disclosure to improve level shifting.
[0008] Therefore, in a first aspect according to the present disclosure, an electronic device for shifting a voltage level is provided. The device comprises:
[0009] a feed-forward component configured for one-shot shifting a first voltage level of a first domain to a third voltage level of a third domain via at least one second voltage level of at least one second domain, wherein the third voltage level is different from the first voltage level, wherein the at least one second voltage level is different from the first voltage level and different from the third voltage level; and
[0010] - a feedback component configured for feeding back said third voltage level from said third domain to said at least one second domain.
[0011] Due to the inclusion of the feedback component, various embodiments of the electronic device according to the present disclosure can help improve the stability of state transitions, even if the edge transitions are not sharp, for example due to noise in the domain. This can generally help improve level shifting.
[0012] In some embodiments, the feedback component is configured to feed back the third voltage level only after the feed-forward component has implemented the one-shot shift.
[0013] Advantageously, waiting for feedback until after the feed-forward has been implemented may help reduce or even minimize time delays, and may help ensure that the feedback has a clear final value (which thus avoids / mitigates incorrect feedback).
[0014] In some embodiments, the at least one intermediate voltage level comprises a plurality of intermediate voltage levels such that the feed-forward component spans at least four voltage levels.
[0015] Advantageously, this allows for application of electronic devices regardless of the overall complexity of the level shifting requirements.
[0016] In some embodiments, the feed-forward component comprises a first controllable current path controlled by a set signal SET and a primary output signal OUTP2 . The set signal SET corresponds to an input signal IN, and the primary output signal OUTP2 is provided from the second domain.
[0017] The first controllable current path is configured to apply the set signal SET to the primary voltage signal OUTP3 of the third domain.
[0018] The feedback component includes a second controllable current path controlled by the primary voltage signal OUTP3 , and the second controllable current path is configured to feed back the primary voltage signal OUTP3 to the primary output signal OUTP2 of the second domain.
[0019] In some embodiments, the feed-forward component comprises a third controllable current path controlled by a reset signal and a secondary output signal. The reset signal RESET is opposite to the input signal IN or the input signal IN, and the secondary output signal OUTN2 is provided from the second domain.
[0020] The third controllable current path is configured to apply the reset signal RESET to the secondary voltage signal OUTN3 of the third domain.
[0021] The feedback component includes a fourth controllable current path controlled by the secondary voltage signal OUTN3 , and the fourth controllable current path is configured to feed back the secondary voltage signal OUTN3 to the secondary output signal OUTN2 of the second domain.
[0022] In addition, in a second aspect according to the present disclosure, a method for shifting a voltage level is provided, the method comprising:
[0023] - in a feed-forward operation, one-shot shifting a first voltage level of a first domain to a third voltage level of a third domain via at least one second voltage level of at least one second domain, wherein the third voltage level is different from the first voltage level, wherein the at least one second voltage level is different from the first voltage level and different from the third voltage level; and
[0024] - in a feedback operation, feeding back the third voltage level from the third domain to the at least one second domain.
[0025] In some embodiments, the step of feeding back the third voltage level is performed only after the one-shot shifting has been achieved.
[0026] In some embodiments, the at least one intermediate voltage level includes a plurality of intermediate voltage levels such that the feed-forward operation spans at least four voltage levels.
[0027] In some embodiments, the method includes: in the feed-forward operation,
[0028] - The first controllable current path is controlled by:
[0029] - a set signal SET, which corresponds to the input signal IN; and
[0030] - a primary output signal OUTP2, which is provided from said second domain; and
[0031] - applying the set signal SET to the primary voltage signal OUTP3 of the third domain using the first controllable current path; and
[0032] The method further includes: in the feedback operation,
[0033] - controlling a second controllable current path by means of the primary voltage signal OUTP3; and
[0034] - Feeding back the primary voltage signal OUTP3 to the primary output signal OUTP2 of the second domain.
[0035] In some embodiments, the method includes: in the feed-forward operation,
[0036] - The third controllable current path is controlled by:
[0037] - a reset signal RESET which is the opposite of the input signal IN or said input signal IN; and
[0038] - a secondary output signal OUTN2 provided from said second domain; and
[0039] - applying the reset signal RESET to the secondary voltage signal OUTN3 of the third domain using the third controllable current path; and
[0040] The method further includes: in the feedback operation,
[0041] - controlling a fourth controllable current path by means of the secondary voltage signal OUTN3; and
[0042] - Feeding back the secondary voltage signal OUTN3 to the secondary output signal OUTN2 of the second domain.
[0043] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various considerations and advantages applicable to embodiments of the apparatus according to the present disclosure may similarly apply (mutatis mutandis) to embodiments of the method according to the present disclosure, and vice versa.
[0044] The above described embodiments are illustrative and do not limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that additional features may be added to the illustrative embodiments described herein while still being within the scope determined by the independent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0045] In the following description, several exemplary embodiments will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings to aid understanding, in which:
[0046] Figure 1A An example of common-bottom one-shot feedforward and feedback level shifting is schematically shown;
[0047] Figure 1B An example of common top single shot feed forward and feedback level shifting is schematically shown;
[0048] Figure 2 An example of generalized feed-forward and feedback level shifting is schematically shown;
[0049] Figure 3 Schematically illustrates a first exemplary embodiment of an electronic device according to the present disclosure;
[0050] Figure 4 schematically illustrates a second exemplary embodiment of an electronic device according to the present disclosure; and
[0051] Figure 5A -G schematically shows an exemplary embodiment of an electronic device according to the present disclosure, for example Figure 4 The operating method of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0052] In high slew rate systems (eg gate drivers), it is preferred to provide a level sensitive design. To achieve this level sensitive design, the inventors have found that adding a feedback path can help synchronize the states in all domains.
[0053] In complex PMICs, unidirectional level shifting is not always sufficient, and the relative voltage potentials between domains may alternate depending on operating conditions. For example, the first domain may sometimes be at a lower voltage than the second domain, requiring an upward shift from the first domain to the second domain, but at other times the first domain may be at a higher voltage than the second domain, requiring a downward shift instead.
[0054] Existing technology designs have struggled to evolve because:
[0055] - True level sensitivity is not always possible.
[0056] -Some designs exhibit static power.
[0057] - Universal level shifting is not always possible.
[0058] -Some designs exhibit long delays.
[0059] However, in some embodiments according to the present disclosure, an intermediate domain may be introduced to achieve universal level shifting.
[0060] Therefore, in order to alleviate the limitation of unidirectional shifting, and to solve the above-mentioned difficulties encountered by prior art designs, the middle second domain can be used for "signal reflection". This domain can be a domain that is always higher than the first and third domains ("co-top"), such as Figure 1A As shown, or a domain that is always lower than the first and third domains ("co-bottom"), as Figure 1B shown.
[0061] Figure 1A An example of a common bottom one-shot feedforward and feedback level shifting is schematically shown. The figure shows three domains: a first domain D1, a second domain D2, and a third domain D3. All domains may be bounded by corresponding voltage levels VDD and VSS (VDD1, VSS1, VDD2, VSS2, VDD3, VSS3). The voltage may be shifted down from the first domain D1 to the intermediate second domain D2, and then shifted up from the second domain D2 to the third domain D3. The operation is a one-shot level shift and is unidirectional. The operation is schematically shown with solid arrows from D1 to D2 and from D2 to D3.
[0062] In addition, in some embodiments according to the present disclosure, a feedback operation from the third domain D3 back to the second intermediate domain D2 may additionally occur. This operation is schematically illustrated by a dotted arrow from D3 back to D2.
[0063] Similarly, Figure 1B The schematic diagram shows an example of a common top single shot feedforward and feedback level shift. The shift direction is the same as that of the second domain D2 except that the second domain D2 is common top instead of common bottom. Figure 1A On the contrary, this figure is completely similar to Figure 1A .
[0064] Figure 2 An example of generalized feedforward and feedback level shifting is shown schematically. This diagram is similar to Figure 1A and Figure 1B Because the voltage is level-shifted from the first domain D1 via a plurality of intermediate second domains D2, D3, D4, all the way to the generally numbered final domain DX, and a feedback operation is performed from DX back to D4, from D4 back to D3, and from D3 back to D2. In this sense, the domains D2 and D4 act as a common bottom, and the domain D3 acts as a common top.
[0065] Figure 3 A first exemplary embodiment of an electronic device according to the present disclosure is schematically shown. The electronic device comprises a feedforward component designated as an "FF shifter" and a feedback component designated as an "FB shifter". The electronic device has an input terminal IN and provides outputs via output terminals OUTP_FF and OUTN_FF, which respectively represent "output positive feedforward" and "output negative feedforward" in memory. In this context, the concepts of "positive" and "negative" should not be interpreted in a literally restrictive manner, but may be interpreted as corresponding binary true versions and complementary binary false versions of the input provided via the input terminal IN, respectively.
[0066] The feed-forward component FF shifter is configured to one-shot shift a first voltage level of a first domain to a third voltage level of a third domain via at least one second voltage level of at least one second domain, wherein the third voltage level is different from the first voltage level, wherein the at least one second voltage level is different from the first voltage level and different from the third voltage level.
[0067] The feedback component FB shifter is configured to feed back the third voltage level from the third domain to the at least one second domain.
[0068] In a specific embodiment, the internal circuitry of the feedforward component and the feedback component may include Figure 3The terminals schematically shown in FIG. 1 , i.e., the feedforward component may include internal output terminals OUTP3 and OUTN3 (specifying the positive output and negative output in the third domain, respectively), which are fed back to the internal input terminals OUTP_FB and OUTN_FB of the feedback component (specifying the positive output and negative output presented to the feedback component, respectively) via the above-mentioned terminals OUTP_FF and OUTN_FF, respectively. In addition, the feedforward component and the feedback component may be connected via shared or similar terminals OUTP2 and OUTN2 (specifying the positive output and negative output in the second domain, respectively). Of course, the first domain may be designed to be implicit in or after the input terminal IN.
[0069] Figure 4 A second exemplary embodiment of an electronic device 400 for shifting voltage levels according to the present disclosure is schematically shown. The figure shows an electronic device 400 including a feedforward component and a feedback component. In this second exemplary embodiment, the feedforward component and the feedback component span three domains (as will be referred to in Figure 5A -G explanation), namely the first domain 401A, 401B (where 401A corresponds to the positive version and 401B corresponds to the negative version, as described above), the second domain 402 and the third domain 403. For clarity, the figure also shows a circuit system 404 that generates a set signal SET and a reset signal RESET based on the input signal IN, so that SET corresponds to IN and RESET is opposite to IN.
[0070] Also in this second exemplary embodiment, the feed-forward component is configured to one-shot shift the first voltage level of the first domain 401A, 401B to a third voltage level of the third domain 403 via at least one second voltage level of at least one second domain 402 (in this case exactly one second domain 402), wherein the third voltage level is different from the first voltage level, wherein at least one second voltage level is different from the first voltage level and different from the third voltage level. Furthermore, the feedback component is configured to feed back the third voltage level from the third domain 403 to at least one second domain 402.
[0071] In this second exemplary embodiment, and in various other further developed embodiments according to the present disclosure, a LV current mirror may be employed to create a positive feedback loop for state change and execution, a HV device may provide a cascade of LV devices, and a FB shifter may be used to synchronize the states of multiple domains. In addition, a HV cascade current mirror may be used to create positive feedback for state transition and execution.
[0072] In this way, the feedback level shifter can be used to synchronize states between all domains to achieve true level sensitivity, which makes the electronic device robust to perturbations. In addition, these embodiments provide universal level shifting, where the signs of the relative potentials can be alternated during operation. In addition, low latency can be achieved because the feedback action is primarily achieved by the LV device. In addition, the feedback component does not interfere with the feedforward component, and therefore it does not affect latency, making the overall operation faster.
[0073] Another advantage of the presently described transistor-based arrangement of the exemplary embodiment is that, in contrast to the prior art resistor-based arrangements, it has reduced static power consumption.
[0074] Figure 5A -G schematically shows an exemplary embodiment of an electronic device according to the present disclosure, for example Figure 4 An operating method of an electronic device embodiment 400 is provided.
[0075] In the case that can be summarized as "RESET, IN = OUT = 0" Figure 5A , where the input signal IN is 0, produces 0 at SET, and produces 1 at RESET. Therefore, the 0 of SET blocks transistor 504, and the 1 of RESET turns on transistor 503. In this stable case, OUTP3 is 0, and OUTN3 is 1. Transistor 501 is turned on because OUTP3 is high, and transistor 502 is blocked because OUTN2 is low (see Figure 5G ).
[0076] In the system which can be summarized as "RESET→SET, IN: 0→1, OUT: 0→1, FF" (where FF stands for feedforward) Figure 5B In the example, IN changes from 0 to 1, causing SET to change from 0 to 1 and RESET to change from 1 to 0. Therefore, SET turns on transistor 504 and RESET blocks transistor 503. This in turn generates current in branches 505, 506, 507, 508, 509 and 510. This current controlled by the SET signal can be considered a feed-forward operation and the circuitry involved can be considered a feed-forward component. Due to this operation, OUTP3 changes from 0 to 1 and OUTN3 changes from 1 to 0.
[0077] Hypothetically, if operation were to cease after this feedforward operation had been achieved but before any feedback operation was performed, and if the remainder of the circuitry would become ineffective, the output would be brought to where it was needed, but stability would not be guaranteed. Therefore, it is preferred to include feedback.
[0078] In the system which can be summarized as “RESET→SET, IN: 0→1, OUT: 0→1, FB” (where FB stands for feedback) Figure 5C , the rise of OUTP3 from 0 to 1 causes current in branches 511, 512, 513, and 514 (due to the transistors controlled by OUTP3). This in turn causes OUTP2 to change from 0 to 1, and OUTN2 to change from 1 to 0. In this sense, the second domain has mirrored the first domain via feedback from the third domain. Therefore, this operation can be regarded as a feedback operation, and the circuit system involved can be regarded as a feedback component.
[0079] In other words, the feedback component may be configured to feed back the third voltage level only after the feed-forward component has achieved the one-shot shift, which corresponds herein to a feed-forward operation.
[0080] In other words, the feed-forward component may include first controllable current paths 505, 506, 507, 508, 509, 510 controlled 501, 504 by:
[0081] - a set signal SET, which corresponds to the input signal IN; and
[0082] - a primary output signal OUTP2, which is provided from the second domain;
[0083] The first controllable current path may be configured to apply a set signal SET to a primary voltage signal OUTP3 of the third domain; and
[0084] The feedback component may include a second controllable current path 511 , 512 , 513 , 514 controlled by the primary voltage signal OUTP3 , and the second controllable current path may be configured to feed back the primary voltage signal OUTP3 to the primary output signal OUTP2 of the second domain.
[0085] In the case that can be summarized as "SET completed, IN = 1, OUT = 1" Figure 5D In Figure 5C , where OUTP2 (which is 1) now blocks transistor 501 and OUTN2 (which is 0) turns on transistor 502.
[0086] In the system that can be summarized as "SET→RESET, IN: 1→0, OUT: 0→1, FF" Figure 5E , the IN signal changes from 1 to 0, causing SET to change from 1 to 0 and RESET to change from 0 to 1. Therefore, SET now blocks transistor 504, and transistor 515 turns on. This creates current in branches 516, 517, 518, 519, 529, 521, and 522. This in turn causes OUTP3 to change from 1 to 0, and OUTN3 to change from 0 to 1. This current flow can be viewed as a feed-forward operation, and the circuitry involved can be viewed as a feed-forward component.
[0087] In the system that can be summarized as "SET→RESET, IN: 1→0, OUT: 0→1, FB" Fig. 5F , the rise of OUTN3 from 0 to 1 causes current in branches 523, 524, 525, 526, and 527. This in turn causes OUTP2 to change from 1 to 0, and OUTN2 to change from 0 to 1. In this sense, the second domain has mirrored the first domain via feedback from the third domain. Therefore, this operation can be considered a feedback operation, and the circuit system involved can be considered a feedback component.
[0088] Thus, in other words, the feed-forward component may include a third controllable current path 515, 516, 517, 518, 519, 520, 521, 522 controlled 502 by:
[0089] - a reset signal RESET which is the opposite of the input signal IN or said input signal IN; and
[0090] - a secondary output signal OUTN2, which is provided from the second domain;
[0091] wherein the third controllable current path may be configured to apply a reset signal RESET to the secondary voltage signal OUTN3 of the third domain; and
[0092] The feedback component may include fourth controllable current paths 523 , 524 , 525 , 526 , 527 controlled by the secondary voltage signal OUTN3 , and the fourth controllable current path may be configured to feed back the secondary voltage signal OUTN3 to the secondary output signal OUTN2 of the second domain.
[0093] In the case that can be summarized as "RESET completed, IN = 0, OUT = 0" Figure 5G In Fig. 5F The result is that OUTP2 (which is 0) now turns on transistor 501, and OUTN2 (which is 1) now blocks transistor 502.
[0094] As used in this application and the claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include the plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The systems, apparatus, and methods described herein should not be construed as limiting in any way. Instead, the present disclosure is directed to all novel and non-obvious features and aspects of the various disclosed embodiments, individually and in various combinations and sub-combinations with each other. The disclosed systems, methods, and apparatus are not limited to any particular aspect or feature or combination thereof, nor do the disclosed systems, methods, and apparatus require the presence of any one or more specific advantages or problems to be solved. Any theory of operation is for ease of explanation, but the disclosed systems, methods, and apparatus are not limited to such theory of operation.
[0095] Although the operations of some of the disclosed methods are described in a particular sequential order for ease of presentation, it should be understood that this description encompasses rearrangement unless the specific language set forth below requires a specific ordering. For example, the operations described in sequence may be rearranged or performed simultaneously in some cases. In addition, for simplicity, the accompanying drawings may not show the various ways in which the disclosed systems, methods, and devices can be used in conjunction with other systems, methods, and devices. In addition, the description sometimes uses terms such as "obtain" and "output" to describe the disclosed methods. These terms are high-level abstractions of the actual operations performed. The actual operations corresponding to these terms will vary depending on the specific implementation, and can be easily discerned by those skilled in the art.
[0096] It should be understood that for simplicity and clarity of explanation, reference numerals may be repeated in different figures to indicate corresponding or similar elements, where appropriate. In addition, many specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the examples described herein. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the examples described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other cases, methods, procedures, and components are not described in detail to avoid blurring the related features described. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and the proportions of certain components may be exaggerated to better illustrate details and features. This specification should not be considered to limit the scope of the examples described herein.
[0097] Reference numerals list
[0098] 400 Electronic equipment
[0099] 401A, 401B first domain
[0100] 402 Second Domain
[0101] 403 Third Domain
[0102] 404 set / reset circuit system
[0103] 501, 502, 503, 504 are transistors controlled by OUTP2, OUTN2, RESET and SET respectively.
[0104] 505, 506, 507, 508, 509, 510 current branches
[0105] 511, 512, 513, 514 current branches
[0106] 515, 516, 517, 518, 519, 520, 521, 522 current branches
[0107] 523, 524, 525, 526, 527 current branches
[0108] 505, 506, 507, 508, 509, 510 first controllable current path
[0109] 511, 512, 513, 514 second controllable current path
[0110] 515, 516, 517, 518, 519, 520, 521, 522 third controllable current path
[0111] 523, 524, 525, 526, 527 fourth controllable current path
Claims
1. An electronic device for shifting a voltage level, the device comprising: - a feed-forward component configured for one-shot shifting a first voltage level of a first domain to a third voltage level of a third domain via at least one second voltage level of at least one second domain, wherein the third voltage level is different from the first voltage level, wherein the at least one second voltage level is different from the first voltage level and different from the third voltage level; as well as - a feedback component configured for feeding back said third voltage level from said third domain to said at least one second domain. 2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the feedback component is configured to feed back the third voltage level only after the feed-forward component has achieved the one-shot shift.
3. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the at least one intermediate voltage level comprises a plurality of intermediate voltage levels such that the feed-forward component spans at least four voltage levels.
4. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the feed-forward component comprises a first controllable current path controlled by: - a set signal SET, which corresponds to the input signal IN; and - a primary output signal OUTP2, which is provided from said second domain; wherein the first controllable current path is configured to apply the set signal SET to the primary voltage signal OUTP3 of the third domain; and The feedback component includes a second controllable current path controlled by the primary voltage signal OUTP3 , and the second controllable current path is configured to feed back the primary voltage signal OUTP3 to the primary output signal OUTP2 of the second domain.
5. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the feedforward component comprises a third controllable current path controlled by: - a reset signal RESET which is the opposite of the input signal IN or said input signal IN; and - a secondary output signal OUTN2 provided from said second domain; wherein the third controllable current path is configured to apply the reset signal RESET to the secondary voltage signal OUTN3 of the third domain; and The feedback component includes a fourth controllable current path controlled by the secondary voltage signal OUTN3 , and the fourth controllable current path is configured to feed back the secondary voltage signal OUTN3 to the secondary output signal OUTN2 of the second domain.
6. A method for shifting a voltage level, the method comprising: - in a feed-forward operation, one-shot shifting a first voltage level of a first domain to a third voltage level of a third domain via at least one second voltage level of at least one second domain, wherein the third voltage level is different from the first voltage level, wherein the at least one second voltage level is different from the first voltage level and different from the third voltage level; as well as - in a feedback operation, feeding back the third voltage level from the third domain to the at least one second domain.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of feeding back the third voltage level is performed only after the one-shot shifting has been achieved.
8. The method of any one of claims 6 to 7, wherein the at least one intermediate voltage level comprises a plurality of intermediate voltage levels such that the feed-forward operation spans at least four voltage levels.
9. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, comprising: In the feedforward operation, - The first controllable current path is controlled by: - a set signal SET, which corresponds to the input signal IN; as well as - a primary output signal OUTP2, which is provided from said second domain; and - using the first controllable current path to apply the set signal SET to the primary voltage signal OUTP3 of the third domain; and The method further includes: in the feedback operation, - controlling the second controllable current path by means of the primary voltage signal OUTP3; as well as - Feeding back the primary voltage signal OUTP3 to the primary output signal OUTP2 of the second domain.
10. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 9, comprising: In the feedforward operation, - The third controllable current path is controlled by: - a reset signal RESET which is the opposite of the input signal IN or said input signal IN; and - a secondary output signal OUTN2 provided from said second domain; and - applying the reset signal RESET to the secondary voltage signal OUTN3 of the third domain using the third controllable current path; and The method further includes: in the feedback operation, - controlling a fourth controllable current path by means of the secondary voltage signal OUTN3; and - Feeding back the secondary voltage signal OUTN3 to the secondary output signal OUTN2 of the second domain.