Shared Static-Dynamic Level Shifters for Silicon Area Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing level-shifter systems are area-intensive and inefficient as they require separate circuits for each output signal line, especially when dealing with large voltage range differences, leading to increased silicon area consumption as the number of interface signals increases.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a static level-shifter coupled with multiple dynamic level-shifters, where the static level-shifter provides a voltage control signal to govern the operation of dynamic level-shifters, allowing for efficient conversion of multiple signals from a low voltage domain to a high voltage domain while minimizing silicon area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate static level shifter circuits are used for each output signal line, then voltage conversion between domains is achieved, but silicon area consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate level shifter circuits into a single shared static level shifter that serves multiple dynamic level shifters. The static level shifter converts input voltages from the first domain to intermediate voltages, which are then distributed to multiple dynamic level shifters that complete the conversion to the second domain. This sharing architecture dramatically reduces silicon area while maintaining the ability to drive multiple output signal lines.
Solution Approach 2:
The level shifting function is segmented into two distinct stages: a static level shifter that handles the initial voltage conversion to an intermediate domain, and multiple dynamic level shifters that complete the conversion to the final voltage domain. This segmentation allows the expensive static level shifter to be shared among multiple outputs, while the dynamic level shifters use smaller, more area-efficient structures optimized for their specific output lines.
2Manufacturing precision
If devices within level shifters are made larger to handle diverging voltage ranges, then voltage conversion accuracy improves, but silicon area consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic level shifters that can adapt their operation based on the specific voltage ranges and signal characteristics of each output line. The dynamic level shifters use control signals to adjust their transfer characteristics, allowing them to maintain high conversion accuracy across diverging voltage ranges without requiring oversized devices. This dynamic adaptation enables precise voltage conversion while keeping device sizes and overall area consumption manageable.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the number of interface signals increases to meet system design requirements, then system functionality improves, but area consumption scales proportionally
Solution Approach 1:
The static level shifter is designed as a universal component that can serve multiple dynamic level shifters simultaneously. It handles the common function of initial voltage conversion for all output lines, making the architecture scalable. When system设计要求 increases the number of interface signals, additional dynamic level shifters can be added that share the same static level shifter, avoiding proportional area increases and enabling high-functionality systems with efficient area utilization.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method to level-shift multiple signals from a first voltage domain to a second voltage domain with minimized silicon area. A level-shifting system may be organized by implementing a static level-shifter coupled to a plurality of dynamic level-shifters. The static level-shifter may provide a voltage control signal for each of the dynamic level-shifters. Each of the dynamic level-shifters may level-shift an individual input signal from a first voltage domain to a second voltage domain.