Negative Voltage Level Shifter With Clamp-Controlled Single-Stage Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing negative voltage level shifters require multiple circuit stages and increased power consumption due to the need for three-step voltage conversion from a positive core voltage to a negative output voltage.
Innovation Solution
A negative voltage level shifter with a single circuit stage utilizing a pair of input transistors, a pair of output transistors, and a clamp circuit that clamps source voltages, reducing current consumption by ensuring only one circuit branch passes current during state transitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a three-step voltage conversion is used to convert positive core voltage to negative output voltage, then the voltage conversion function is achieved, but the power consumption is tripled and circuit area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple voltage conversion functions into a single circuit stage. The level shifter simultaneously performs the functions of converting positive core voltage to intermediate voltage and then to negative output voltage, eliminating the need for separate three-step conversion stages and reducing overall power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The level shifter circuit is designed to perform multiple voltage conversion functions within a single stage. It can handle both the positive-to-intermediate and intermediate-to-negative voltage transitions using the same circuit components, making the device multi-functional and reducing total power consumption
2Use of energy by moving object
If multiple circuit stages are used for voltage conversion, then complete voltage domain conversion is achieved, but current flow increases power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp circuit performs preliminary action by pre-establishing appropriate voltage levels at the source terminals of input transistors before the main switching operation. This preliminary voltage clamping ensures that transistors switch efficiently with minimal current flow during transitions, reducing power consumption
3Use of energy by moving object
If a single circuit stage is used, then power consumption is reduced, but voltage conversion from positive to negative domain becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit uses an intermediate voltage domain as a mediator between the positive core voltage and negative output voltage. The single circuit stage leverages this intermediate domain to facilitate the voltage conversion process, making it easier to achieve negative voltage output from positive input while maintaining low power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an additional voltage domain dimension by utilizing an intermediate voltage level between the positive core voltage and negative output voltage. This dimensional approach allows the single circuit stage to handle the complex positive-to-negative voltage conversion more easily by breaking it into conceptual steps within one physical stage
Data Source
AI summary
A negative voltage level shifter includes a pair of input transistors, a pair of output transistors and a clamp circuit. The clamp circuit is coupled between the pair of input transistors and the pair of output transistors, for clamping source voltages of the pair of input transistors.