Feedback Voltage Level Shifter for Low-Leakage Fast Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Level shifter circuits face a trade-off between propagation delay and energy consumption in cross-domain signal transfer, with existing solutions either incurring significant propagation delay or higher energy consumption due to leakage currents.
Innovation Solution
The proposed voltage level shifter employs a double-stage structure with cross-coupled transistors and a feedback voltage loop to minimize leakage currents while maintaining a short propagation delay, using PMOS and NMOS transistors to effectively transfer binary signals between different voltage domains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional level shifter circuits are used for cross-domain signal transfer, then signal transfer between voltage domains is achieved, but propagation delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The level shifter is divided into two separate stages: a first level shifter for coarse voltage level conversion and a second level shifter for fine voltage level adjustment. This segmentation allows each stage to operate optimally, reducing the overall propagation delay while achieving accurate cross-domain signal transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediate node is introduced between the first and second level shifters, serving as a mediator that buffers the signal transition. This intermediate stage allows the signal to be progressively adjusted from the first voltage domain to the second voltage domain, minimizing direct transition delays.
2Use of energy by moving object
If conventional level shifter circuits are used for cross-domain signal transfer, then voltage level conversion is achieved, but energy consumption increases due to leakage currents
Solution Approach 1:
The level shifter operates in periodic cycles, alternating between active signal transfer phases and low-power standby phases. During standby, switching elements are configured to minimize leakage paths. This periodic operation reduces average energy consumption while maintaining signal transfer capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
A feedback mechanism monitors the output voltage level and dynamically adjusts the switching elements to optimize the conduction paths. This feedback control ensures that leakage currents are minimized by keeping switching elements in optimal states, reducing energy loss while maintaining accurate voltage level conversion.
Data Source
AI summary
A voltage level shifter for translating a binary input signal representing a binary sequence to a binary output signal representing the same binary sequence. The voltage level shifter comprises an input port for receiving the binary input signal as an input voltage varying between a first input voltage level and a second input voltage level. An output port is connected to a node for outputting the binary output signal as an output voltage varying between a first output voltage level and a second output voltage level. A supply voltage node connectable to a voltage supply, can provide the second output voltage level. A first switch is arranged to couple the supply voltage node to the node and to decouple the supply voltage node from the node based on a voltage at the node. A feedback voltage loop is connected to the node for providing a feedback voltage based on the voltage at the node. A second switch is connected to the feedback voltage loop and arranged to couple the input port to the node based on a voltage at the input port and the feedback voltage. A decoupler and a voltage shifting method are also disclosed.