Level Shifter Circuit With Feedback Paths to Block Short-Circuit Current
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
As semiconductor integrated circuits (ICs) become smaller and more complex, operating voltages decrease, leading to performance issues due to short circuit currents in level shifter circuits, which result in higher power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a level shifter circuit with a first and second path, each including specific transistors, that are enabled or disabled by an enable signal to prevent short circuit currents, allowing the circuit to operate efficiently in different voltage domains and reduce power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the level shifter circuit operates in lower voltage domains to enable smaller and more complex ICs, then device integration and complexity are improved, but short circuit currents increase leading to higher power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The level shifter circuit dynamically switches between different operational paths (first path with first transistor, second path with second transistor) based on voltage domain requirements. This dynamic configuration allows the circuit to adapt to different voltage levels while minimizing short circuit currents through controlled transistor switching, thereby reducing power consumption in lower voltage domains
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit changes its operational parameters by switching between different transistor paths depending on the voltage domain. When operating in lower voltage domains, the circuit selectively activates specific transistors to optimize current flow characteristics, preventing excessive short circuit currents and maintaining acceptable power consumption levels
2Use of energy by moving object
If the level shifter circuit uses multiple paths with specific transistors to prevent short circuit currents, then power consumption is reduced, but circuit structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The level shifter circuit is segmented into multiple independent paths, each with specific transistors (first path with first transistor, second path with second transistor). This segmentation allows selective activation of individual paths based on operational requirements, enabling power consumption reduction through controlled transistor switching while managing circuit complexity through modular design
3Volume of moving object
If operating voltages are decreased to enable smaller ICs, then device size is reduced, but performance deteriorates due to increased short circuit currents
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit dynamically adjusts its configuration by switching between different transistor paths based on the operating voltage level. In lower voltage domains, the circuit selectively activates specific transistors to optimize current flow and minimize short circuit effects, thereby maintaining performance reliability while operating at reduced voltages that enable smaller IC size
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit includes a level shifter circuit, an output circuit, an enable circuit, a first and a second feedback circuit. The level shifter circuit is coupled to a first voltage supply, and is configured to generate at least a first and a second signal responsive to at least the first enable signal or the first input signal. The output circuit is coupled to at least the level shifter circuit and the first voltage supply, and configured to receive the first and the second signal. The enable circuit is configured to generate a second enable signal responsive to the first enable signal. The first feedback circuit is configured to receive the first enable signal, the second enable signal and the first feedback signal. The second feedback circuit is configured to receive the first enable signal, the second enable signal and the second feedback signal.