Enable-Controlled Level Shifter Circuit for Short-Circuit Suppression
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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
1Use of energy by moving object
If the level shifter circuit is disabled to reduce power consumption, then power consumption decreases, but short circuit currents may occur causing performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the level shifter circuit by introducing an enable signal that can switch the circuit between active and disabled states. This dynamic operation allows the circuit to adapt to different operating conditions, enabling power savings when the circuit functionality is not needed while maintaining reliability when it is required. The dynamic nature of the enable signal controls the switching behavior of the transistors to prevent short circuit currents during disabled operation.
2Reliability
If transistors are added to prevent short circuit currents, then circuit stability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the short circuit prevention functionality with the existing level shifting operation by integrating control logic into the transistor gate connections. Rather than adding completely separate protection circuits, the enable signal is combined with the data signal paths, and the same transistors perform both level shifting and short circuit prevention functions. This merging approach maintains circuit stability while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The transistors in the level shifter circuit are designed to serve multiple functions: they perform level shifting between different voltage domains and simultaneously prevent short circuit currents when the circuit is disabled. The enable signal controls these transistors to achieve both objectives, making the circuit components universal rather than requiring dedicated separate elements for each function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the circuit operates in different voltage domains, then adaptability improves, but short circuit currents increase leading to higher power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by using the enable signal to preemptively control the transistor states before short circuit currents can occur. When transitioning between voltage domains or disabling the circuit, the enable signal is activated in advance to adjust the transistor gate voltages, preventing the formation of short circuit current paths between different voltage domains. This preliminary control action eliminates the harmful effect before it can manifest.
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit includes an input circuit, a level shifter circuit, an output circuit, and a first and a second feedback circuit. The input circuit is coupled to a first voltage supply, and configured to receive a first input signal, and to generate at least a second input signal. The level shifter circuit is coupled to a second voltage supply, and configured to generate at least a first and second signal responsive to at least the enable signal or the first input signal. The output circuit is coupled to at least the level shifter circuit and the second voltage supply, and configured to generate at least an output signal, a first and second feedback signal responsive to the first signal. The first and second feedback circuit are configured to receive the enable signal, and the inverted enable signal, and the corresponding first and second feedback signal.