Multi-Bit Level Shifter Sharing Control for Lower Power and Area

Solution Overview

Problem

Integrated circuits with multiple power domains face challenges in efficiently managing and converting signals between different voltage levels, leading to increased power consumption and area usage due to the need for multiple level shifters and control circuits.

Innovation Solution

A multi-bit level shifter (MBLS) circuit that includes multiple single-bit level shifters (SBLS) sharing a common control circuit and N-well structures, allowing for efficient voltage domain interface and power management by toggling between operational states, thereby reducing power consumption and area usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple single-bit level shifters are used to interface between voltage domains, then signal conversion capability is improved, but power consumption and area usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage domain interface capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple single-bit level shifters share a common control circuit and N-well structures, merging previously separate control functions into a single shared resource. This reduces the total number of control circuits from N (for N level shifters) to 1, directly reducing power consumption while maintaining the ability to interface multiple voltage domains

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The common control circuit serves multiple single-bit level shifters simultaneously, making it a universal control unit that can manage N different level shifters. This multi-functional approach allows one control circuit to perform the work of N separate control circuits, reducing overall power consumption and area usage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple single-bit level shifters with separate control circuits are used, then signal conversion capability is improved, but area usage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage domain interface capabilityVSAvoidcircuit area

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple single-bit level shifters share a common control circuit and N-well structures, merging previously separate control functions into a single shared resource. This reduces the total number of control circuits from N (for N level shifters) to 1, directly reducing power consumption while maintaining the ability to interface multiple voltage domains

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The common control circuit serves multiple single-bit level shifters simultaneously, making it a universal control unit that can manage N different level shifters. This multi-functional approach allows one control circuit to perform the work of N separate control circuits, reducing overall power consumption and area usage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11456744B1Multi-bit level shifter and method of operating same

Publication Date: 2022.09.27 TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO LTD

AI summary

A multi-bit level-shifter (MBLS) includes two or more input circuits correspondingly configured to operate in a first voltage domain. The MBLS also includes two or more single bit level shifters (SBLSs) electrically coupled correspondingly to the two or more input circuits, and correspondingly configured to operate in a second voltage domain. The MBLS also includes a control circuit configured to toggle each of the two or more SBLSs between a normal mode and a standby mode according to a toggle-control signal received from the control circuit.