Multi-Stage Voltage Level Shifter Using Low-Voltage Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional voltage level shifters require high voltage devices, which are expensive and lead to slow response timing and high current consumption due to poorly driven nodes and high impedance issues.

Innovation Solution

A voltage level shifter using low voltage devices to provide a range of output voltages from 0 to 15V, ensuring all nodes are well-fed with supply voltages, reducing power consumption and improving timing response.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If high voltage devices are used to provide high output voltage levels, then the output voltage range is extended, but the device size increases and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoutput voltage rangeVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The voltage level shifter is divided into multiple stages, each handling a portion of the voltage translation task. The first stage translates from first voltage domain to second voltage domain, while the second stage translates from second voltage domain to third voltage domain, allowing low voltage devices to achieve high voltage output through cascaded stages

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A second voltage domain is introduced as an intermediate domain between the first and third voltage domains. This intermediary voltage domain allows low voltage devices to indirectly achieve high voltage translation by operating in the intermediate domain, avoiding the need for expensive high voltage devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If high voltage devices are used to provide high output voltage levels, then the output voltage range is extended, but the device area increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoutput voltage rangeVSAvoiddevice area
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The voltage level shifter is divided into multiple stages, each handling a portion of the voltage translation task. The first stage translates from first voltage domain to second voltage domain, while the second stage translates from second voltage domain to third voltage domain, allowing low voltage devices to achieve high voltage output through cascaded stages

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A second voltage domain is introduced as an intermediate domain between the first and third voltage domains. This intermediary voltage domain allows low voltage devices to indirectly achieve high voltage translation by operating in the intermediate domain, avoiding the need for expensive high voltage devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional high voltage level shifter architecture is used, then high output voltage levels are achieved, but the response timing becomes slow due to poorly driven nodes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoutput voltage levelVSAvoidresponse timing
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the voltage parameters at different stages of the level shifter. By introducing an intermediate voltage domain with specific voltage levels, the patent ensures that all nodes are properly driven within the capability of low voltage devices, improving switching speed and response timing while achieving high voltage output

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Adaptability or versatility

If conventional high voltage level shifter architecture is used, then high output voltage levels are achieved, but current consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoutput voltage levelVSAvoidcurrent consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the voltage parameters at different stages of the level shifter. By introducing an intermediate voltage domain with specific voltage levels, the patent ensures that all nodes are properly driven within the capability of low voltage devices, improving switching speed and response timing while achieving high voltage output

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10284201B1High range positive voltage level shifter using low voltage devices
Publication Date: 2019.05.07 STMICROELECTRONICS INT NV
  • US10284201B1 patent drawing
  • US10284201B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A voltage level shifter is provided. The voltage level shifter includes an input stage and at least one level shifting stage. The input stage receives an input voltage and a complementary input voltage and receives a first supply voltage and a ground voltage. The input stage outputs one of the first supply voltage and the ground voltage over a first output voltage node and a first complementary output voltage node based on the input voltage and the complementary input voltage. A level shifting stage is coupled to the input stage. The level shifting stage receives the first supply voltage and a second supply voltage and outputs one of the ground voltage, the first supply voltage and the second supply voltage over second and third output voltage nodes and second and third complementary output voltage nodes based on voltages of the first output voltage node and the first complementary output voltage node.