Feedback Level Shifter Circuit for Low-Power Voltage Domain Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
As semiconductor integrated circuits (ICs) become smaller and more complex, the decreasing operating voltages affect IC performance, and existing level shifter circuits face challenges in efficiently managing voltage domains and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a level shifter circuit configuration with a feedback circuit and an output circuit, utilizing transistors to prevent short-circuit currents and optimize power consumption by enabling or disabling paths based on an enable signal, allowing the circuit to operate in different modes for efficient voltage shifting and latching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the level shifter circuit is disabled to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but short-circuit currents may occur between different voltage domains
Solution Approach 1:
A third voltage domain (intermediate voltage domain) is introduced between the first and second voltage domains. The level shifter circuit includes a first level shifter for shifting from the first to the third voltage domain, and a second level shifter for shifting from the third to the second voltage domain. This intermediary voltage domain prevents direct short-circuit currents between the first and second voltage domains while the level shifters are disabled, thereby reducing power consumption without causing harmful short-circuit effects.
2Productivity
If operating voltage is decreased to improve IC density and integration, then IC density is improved, but IC performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage shifting function is segmented into multiple stages. Instead of a single level shifter operating at low voltage, the circuit uses multiple level shifters operating at different voltage domains (first, third, and second voltage domains). This segmentation allows each transistor to operate at optimal voltage levels for its specific function, maintaining performance while enabling overall circuit density improvement through efficient voltage domain management.
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit includes an input circuit, a level shifter circuit, an output circuit and a feedback circuit. The input circuit is coupled to a first voltage supply, and configured to receive a first input signal, and to generate a second input signal. The level shifter circuit is coupled to the input circuit, and configured to receive an enable signal, the first input signal or the second input signal, and to generate a first signal responsive to the enable signal or the first input signal. The output circuit is coupled to the level shifter circuit, and is configured to receive the first signal, and to generate an output signal or a set of feedback signals responsive to the first signal. The feedback circuit is coupled to the level shifter circuit and output circuit, and is configured to receive the enable signal or the set of feedback signals.