Voltage Level Translator Bypass Circuit for Equal Supply Rails
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional voltage level translators consume power and introduce delay even when supply voltages of different domains are equal, as they remain active and perform unnecessary voltage translation.
Innovation Solution
A power-efficient voltage level translator circuit that includes a bypass mode to bypass the translator when supply voltages are equal, and a power-down circuit to shut down the translator in this mode, avoiding unnecessary power consumption and delay.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the voltage level translator remains active to ensure signal translation capability, then the signal translation function is maintained, but power consumption increases and delay is introduced even when voltage levels are equal
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage level translator is designed with dynamic operational states - it can switch between active translation mode and bypass mode based on voltage level conditions. The circuit dynamically adjusts its configuration to bypass the translator when input and output voltages are equal, eliminating unnecessary power consumption while maintaining translation capability when voltage differences exist.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit monitors voltage level parameters and changes its operational state based on parameter equality or difference. When the voltage level parameter of the first domain equals that of the second domain, the circuit transitions to bypass mode; otherwise, it operates in translation mode, thereby adapting its behavior to parameter changes.
2Reliability
If the voltage level translator remains active to ensure signal translation capability, then the signal translation function is maintained, but delay is introduced in the signal path even when voltage levels are equal
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the voltage level translation function from the mandatory signal path and makes it conditional. By providing a bypass route that can be activated when voltage levels are equal, the translation circuit is effectively taken out of the critical signal path during unnecessary operations, eliminating the delay it would otherwise introduce.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit dynamically reconfigures the signal path based on voltage level conditions. When voltages are equal, the signal path dynamically switches to use the bypass route, avoiding the translator and its associated delay. When voltage differences exist, the path dynamically routes through the translator for proper level translation.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the voltage level translator is bypassed when supply voltages are equal, then power consumption is reduced and delay is eliminated, but the translator must be powered down to achieve power savings
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the bypass function and power-down control into a unified operational mode. The same control logic that enables the bypass route also activates the power-down sequence for the translator circuit, combining two power-saving actions into a single coordinated response to voltage equality conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage level translator circuit incorporates self-monitoring capability to detect when its own translation function is unnecessary. When it detects that input and output voltage levels are equal, it automatically activates the bypass mode and powers down its own translation stages, making the power management decision without external intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed systems and methods relate to a power efficient voltage level translator. In a normal mode wherein a first supply voltage of the first voltage domain and a second supply voltage of the second voltage domain are different, the voltage level translator translates an input signal in a first voltage domain to an output signal in a second voltage domain. In a bypass mode wherein the first supply voltage and the second supply voltage are substantially the same, a bypass circuit is configured to bypass the voltage level translator and provide the input signal as the output signal in the first voltage domain, thus avoiding delay introduced by the voltage level translator in the bypass mode. Further, a power-down circuit is configured to power-down the voltage level translator in the bypass mode but not in the normal mode.