Boosted Voltage Level Shifter for Low-Voltage Fast Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional voltage level shifters struggle with voltage fighting and high power consumption, especially in low supply voltage applications, leading to reduced signal transition speed and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A voltage level shifter incorporating a boost circuit and cross-coupled transistors that perform pre-charging and charge pump operations to increase input terminal voltages, reducing voltage fighting and protecting differential transistors from damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a conventional voltage level shifter is used in low supply voltage applications, then the device can operate at low voltage, but voltage fighting occurs on the output terminal causing high power consumption and reduced signal transition speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-charging the output terminal before the voltage switching operation. The pre-charge transistor activates beforehand to charge the output node capacitance, so when the main switching transistor turns on, the voltage fighting is minimized because the output terminal is already at the appropriate voltage level. This resolves the contradiction by reducing both power consumption and improving signal transition speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary anti-action by using the pre-charge transistor to counteract the voltage fighting effect before it occurs. The pre-charge circuit prepares the output terminal in advance to prevent the harmful voltage conflict that would otherwise occur during the switching transition, thereby reducing power consumption and maintaining fast signal transition.
2Loss of energy
If the supply voltage is kept low for energy-saving applications, then power consumption is reduced, but the voltage shift operation cannot be effectively completed due to fierce voltage fighting
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-charge transistor performs preliminary action by charging the output terminal before the main switching operation. This ensures that when the voltage shift operation occurs at low supply voltage, the output terminal is already prepared, preventing voltage fighting and ensuring the operation completes effectively without requiring higher supply voltage.
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-charge transistor acts as an intermediary element between the low supply voltage source and the output terminal. It mediates the voltage transition by preparing the output node in advance, enabling the voltage shift operation to succeed even with low supply voltage by reducing the voltage conflict during switching.
3Device complexity
If a conventional voltage level shifter is used, then the circuit structure is simple, but the voltage fighting on the output terminal reduces the speed of signal transition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pre-charge transistor that performs preliminary charging of the output terminal. This simple addition to the conventional structure prepares the output node in advance, significantly improving signal transition speed without adding complex circuitry. The pre-charge transistor is controlled by a pre-charge signal that activates before the main switching signal.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances signal transition speed and reduces power consumption, enabling effective operation in energy-saving applications by minimizing voltage fighting and protecting transistors from high supply voltages.
Implementation Method 1
The boost circuit is configured to execute a pre-charging operation on multiple boost input terminals of the pair of cross-coupled transistors, generate at least one voltage pulse based on a charge pump operation according to at least one control pulse signal
Data Source
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AI summary
A voltage level shifter (100, 200, 400) is provided. The voltage level shifter (100, 200, 400) includes a voltage level shift circuit (110, 210, 410) and a boost circuit (120, 220, 420). The voltage level shift circuit (110, 210, 410) operates between a first voltage (VH) and a second voltage (VSS). The voltage level shift circuit (110, 210, 410) includes a pair of cross-coupled transistors (111, 211, 411) and a pair of differential transistors (112, 212, 412). The pair of differential transistors (112, 212, 412) is coupled to the pair of cross-coupled transistors (111, 211, 411) and receives a pair of input signals. The boost circuit (120, 220, 420) is coupled to the voltage level shift circuit (110, 210, 410). The boost circuit (120, 220, 420) executes a pre-charging operation on boost input terminals of the pair of cross-coupled transistors (111, 211, 411), generates a voltage pulse (PS) based on a charge pump operation according to a control pulse signal (CS, PD), and provides the voltage pulse (PS) to the boost input terminals. The control pulse signal (CS, PD) is generated corresponding to a transient edge of the pair of input signals.