Sub-Threshold Level Shifter for Low-Voltage IoT Sleep Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional level shifters fail to operate properly when the core voltage supply falls below the normal operational range of devices, such as transistors, which is a challenge in battery-operated systems like IoT sensors where power conservation is crucial.
Innovation Solution
A level shifter with sub-threshold voltage functionality that can operate even when the core voltage supply falls below the normal operational range of devices, using a circuit design with PMOS and NMOS transistors that can accommodate wide voltage variations and maintain high-speed data transmission, enabling deep-sleep operating mode with well-defined logic states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the core voltage supply is lowered to conserve battery power, then power consumption is reduced, but the level shifter cannot operate properly because the voltage falls below the normal operational range of transistors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the level shifter by introducing sub-threshold voltage operation capability. The circuit is designed to function at voltages below the traditional threshold voltage of transistors, allowing operation at lower core voltage supplies (e.g., 0.7V or lower) while maintaining proper functionality. This enables battery-operated systems to conserve power without sacrificing level shifter operation.
2Loss of energy
If the core voltage supply is lowered below the threshold voltage, then power conservation is achieved, but conventional level shifters fail to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention modifies the operational voltage parameters by enabling sub-threshold operation. The level shifter circuit is specifically designed with transistor configurations and biasing schemes that allow stable operation at core voltage supplies below the traditional threshold voltage, thus achieving both power conservation and operational functionality simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adaptability to voltage variations by designing a level shifter that can dynamically adjust to different voltage conditions. The circuit maintains functionality across a wide voltage range including sub-threshold regions, allowing the system to operate efficiently at lower voltages when battery power conservation is needed while automatically adapting to maintain proper operation.
3Use of energy by moving object
If conventional level shifters are used with lowered core voltage, then power consumption decreases, but the devices cannot operate in the sub-threshold voltage range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal level shifter design that can operate across multiple voltage ranges including both normal operating voltages and sub-threshold voltages. The circuit architecture is designed to be versatile, accommodating wide voltage variations in the core voltage supply while maintaining proper level shifting functionality, thus enabling the same device to serve in both high-performance and low-power modes.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments provide for a level shifter with sub-threshold voltage functionality, which permits the level shifter to operate even when a voltage supply to the level shifter falls below a normal operational voltage range of one or more devices (e.g., transistors) within the level shifter. A level shift of an embodiment may operate when a voltage supply falls below a normal operational range in order to save power, which can be useful with respect to battery-operated devices, such an Internet of Things (IoT) sensor.