Configurable Isolated Level Shifter With Fixed Footprint and Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated circuits face challenges in configuring level shifters without affecting the footprint and timing, particularly when transitioning between isolated HIGH and LOW modes, as existing solutions require changes to base layers, leading to design ripple effects and reconfiguration complexities.
Innovation Solution
An isolated level shifter base cell that can be configured as either an isolated HIGH or LOW level shifter by modifying connection layers such as metal-2 and via-1 layers, without altering the base layers, maintaining the same footprint and input-to-output path timing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the configuration of level shifters is changed by modifying base layers, then the level shifter can be configured as isolated HIGH or LOW, but the footprint and timing are affected, causing design ripple effects
Solution Approach 1:
The level shifter design is segmented into base layers (fixed footprint and timing) and connection layers (configurable for HIGH/LOW isolation). This segmentation allows configuration changes without affecting the base layer geometry, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The configuration control is moved from the planar base layer dimension to the vertical stacking dimension using connection layers (metal-2, via-1). This dimensional transition allows configuration changes without modifying the base layer footprint or timing characteristics.
2Adaptability or versatility
If base layer design is changed to configure level shifters, then configuration flexibility is improved, but design ripple effects and reconfiguration complexities increase
Solution Approach 1:
By separating configuration control to connection layers, the patent eliminates the need to reconfigure base layers. This segmentation reduces design complexity by isolating configuration changes to a specific layer, preventing ripple effects throughout the entire design.
Solution Approach 2:
The base layers are designed in advance with fixed footprint and timing characteristics. Configuration is then applied later through connection layers, allowing design finalization without worrying about configuration changes, thus reducing overall design complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If connection layers are used to configure level shifters, then footprint and timing are maintained, but configuration capability must be added to upper layers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by implementing configuration through connection layers (metal-2, via-1) that stack above the base layer. This approach maintains footprint and timing consistency while adding configuration capability in the vertical dimension, avoiding base layer modification.
4Adaptability or versatility
If level shifter configuration is changed late in design process, then adaptability is improved, but base layer redesign is required in conventional approaches
Solution Approach 1:
The base layers are prepared in advance with fixed geometry, and configuration is deferred to connection layers that can be modified later. This preliminary preparation of base layers enables late-stage configuration changes without time-consuming redesign iterations.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the design into fixed base layers and configurable connection layers, the patent enables independent modification of connection layers at late design stages, eliminating the need to revisit base layer design and reducing iteration time.
Data Source
AI summary
An isolated level shifter base cell that is configurable as either an isolated HIGH level shifter or an isolated LOW level shifter based on changes to connection layers, e.g., metal-2 and/or via-1 layers, without adjusting lower layers, or base layers, that form the isolated level shifter base cell. Regardless of the configuration selected, the isolated level shifter base cell requires the same footprint and provides the same input-to-output path timing. Further, the isolated level shifter base cell is configurable as either a HIGH or LOW isolation cell, i.e., without level shifting, based on changes to the connection layers while again maintaining the same footprint and input-to-output path timing. The configuration of the described isolated level shifter base cell can be changed late in the integrated circuit design process without affecting integrated circuit base layers, without changing the integrated circuit footprint, and without introducing integrated circuit timing changes.