Level Shifter Circuit with Header Gating for Leakage Reduction
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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 reducing power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a circuit configuration with an input circuit, a level shifter circuit, and an output circuit, where the level shifter circuit includes a header circuit that enables or disables paths to reduce leakage current, allowing the circuit to operate in different voltage domains and switch between active and sleep modes to minimize power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the level shifter circuit is continuously enabled to maintain voltage domain operation, then signal transmission between voltage domains is ensured, but power consumption increases due to continuous operation and leakage current
Solution Approach 1:
The level shifter circuit transitions from a static always-on state to a dynamic state that switches between active and sleep modes. The circuit is enabled only when voltage domain translation is required and disabled otherwise, allowing the system to adapt its operational state to actual needs and reduce unnecessary power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit changes its operational parameters by switching between different states (enabled/disabled, active/sleep). The enable signal controls the operational mode of the level shifter, allowing it to adjust its power consumption characteristics based on the required signal transmission needs.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the level shifter circuit is disabled to reduce power consumption, then leakage current decreases, but signal transmission between voltage domains is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between enabled and disabled states based on operational requirements. The enable signal acts as a control mechanism that activates the level shifter only when voltage domain translation is needed, ensuring signal transmission reliability while minimizing power consumption during idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The level shifter circuit is integrated into the signal path such that it automatically enables itself when signal transmission between voltage domains is required and disables itself when not needed, eliminating the need for external continuous control while optimizing power consumption.
3Use of energy by moving object
If IC operating voltages are decreased to improve power performance, then power consumption reduces, but IC performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The IC is divided into multiple voltage domains with different operating voltages optimized for their specific functions. The level shifter circuit enables communication between these segmented voltage domains, allowing each domain to operate at its optimal voltage for power performance while maintaining overall system productivity through controlled signal translation.
Solution Approach 2:
The level shifter circuit acts as an intermediary between different voltage domains, enabling signal transmission between domains operating at different voltages. This mediator allows lower voltage domains to achieve better power performance while higher voltage domains maintain required performance levels, with the level shifter bridging the gap between them.
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated circuit includes an input circuit coupled to a first voltage supply, and configured to receive a first input signal, and to generate at least a second or a third input signal, and a level shifter circuit coupled to the input circuit and a second voltage supply, and configured to receive a first enable signal, the second or third input signal, and to generate a first signal responsive to the first enable signal, the second or third input signal. The input circuit includes a first set of transistors having a first threshold voltage. The first set of transistors includes a first set of active regions extending in a first direction. The level shifter circuit includes a second set of transistors having a second threshold voltage. The second set of transistors includes a second set of active regions extending in the first direction.