Integrated Level-Shifting Latch for Low-Delay Voltage Domain Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated circuits with multiple power domains face challenges in efficiently shifting voltage levels between different power domains, leading to potential damage, leakage, and performance issues due to voltage mismatches, which existing designs often exacerbate with additional timing pressure.
Innovation Solution
A level shifting latch circuit that combines latch and bypass functions, utilizing a two-stage process to concurrently perform level shifting and latching, reducing delay and mitigating voltage domain mismatches, using a cross-coupled field-effect transistor structure for efficient signal transition between voltage domains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate level shifter and latch circuits are used, then voltage level conversion between power domains is achieved, but timing pressure increases and circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the level shifter and latch circuits into a single integrated circuit that performs both voltage level conversion and signal latching functions simultaneously. This merging eliminates the need for separate circuits, reducing overall circuit complexity while maintaining signal transfer reliability across different power domains.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated circuit is designed to perform multiple functions: level shifting between different voltage domains and latching of signals. This multi-functional design reduces the total number of components needed in the system while ensuring reliable signal transfer across power domain boundaries.
2Reliability
If separate level shifter and latch circuits are used, then voltage level conversion is achieved, but delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the level shifter and latch into a single circuit, the signal undergoes voltage conversion and latching in one continuous process rather than through separate sequential stages. This eliminates the additional propagation delay that would occur between separate circuits, reducing overall signal delay while maintaining transfer reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional level shifting circuits are used, then voltage level conversion is achieved, but voltage mismatches cause damage, leakage, and performance issues
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated circuit acts as an intermediary between different voltage domains, providing controlled voltage level conversion. The circuit includes protection mechanisms that mediate the voltage transition, preventing direct exposure to voltage mismatches that could cause damage or leakage, while maintaining compatibility across different power domains.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The proposed circuit effectively reduces timing pressure and voltage-related issues by concurrently performing level shifting and latching, ensuring reliable signal transfer across wide voltage differences while maintaining high operational frequency.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a cross-coupled field-effect transistor structure for efficient signal transition between voltage domains
Implementation Method 2
perform level shifting and latching functions
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus according to an example includes a first circuit configured to receive an input signal from a first voltage domain and perform level shifting and latching functions on the input signal. The apparatus includes a second circuit coupled to the first circuit and configured to receive the input signal from the first voltage domain at an input of the second circuit, perform level shifting on the input signal, and provide a level-shifted signal for a second voltage domain at an output of the second circuit.