Boosted Voltage Level Shifter for Fast Low-Voltage Transitions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing voltage level shifters fail to complete signal transitions within specified times at low power supply voltages, leading to slow transition speeds, excessive transition current, and high power consumption, making them unsuitable for energy-saving electronic products.
Innovation Solution
A voltage level shifter incorporating a boost circuit that boosts input voltages using a third voltage to drive the level shift circuit, increasing transition speed and reducing transition current, thereby reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If existing voltage level shifters are used at low power supply voltages, then power consumption is reduced, but transition speed becomes too slow and transition current becomes excessively large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic voltage boosting where the boost circuit actively increases the voltage level during signal transition periods. The circuit dynamically adjusts the voltage provided to the level shift circuit based on transition requirements, enabling fast transitions while maintaining low average power consumption during stable states.
Solution Approach 2:
The boost circuit operates periodically during signal transitions rather than continuously. By activating the boost function only when voltage level transitions are needed and deactivating it during stable periods, the system achieves fast transition speeds when required while minimizing overall power consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If existing voltage level shifters are used at low power supply voltages, then power supply voltage is reduced for energy saving, but transition current becomes excessively large
Solution Approach 1:
The boost circuit acts as an intermediary between the low voltage power supply and the level shift circuit. It temporarily provides boosted voltage levels during transitions, eliminating the need for excessively large transition currents while maintaining energy efficiency. This intermediary mechanism resolves the conflict between low power operation and controlled current levels.
3Use of energy by moving object
If existing voltage level shifters are used at low power supply voltages, then energy saving is achieved, but signal transition cannot be completed within specified time
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts voltage levels based on operational requirements. During signal transitions, the boost circuit provides higher voltage to accelerate the transition process, ensuring completion within specified time. During stable periods, the system operates at low voltage to minimize power consumption, thus resolving the time-energy tradeoff.
Data Source
AI summary
A voltage level shifter includes a voltage level shift circuit and a boost circuit. The voltage level shift circuit includes a first boost input terminal, a second boost input terminal and a shift output terminal, and operates between a first voltage and a second voltage. The first boost input terminal is configured to receive a first boost voltage, the second boost input terminal is configured to receive a second boost voltage, and the shift output terminal is configured to output a shift voltage. The boost circuit operates between a third voltage and the second voltage, and is configured to receive an input signal and provide the first boost voltage and the second boost voltage to the voltage level shift circuit. The boost circuit boosts one of the first boost voltage and the second boost voltage according to the third voltage in response to the input signal.