Voltage Level Shifter Using Intermediate Voltage for Low-Power Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional voltage level shifters in semiconductor integrated circuits face challenges in maintaining sufficient driving capacity as the amplitude difference between input and output signals increases, leading to inefficiencies and increased size and power consumption due to the need for additional resistors.
Innovation Solution
A voltage level conversion circuit comprising a voltage switch circuit and a level shift circuit, which sequentially outputs intermediate and conversion voltages in response to a switch signal, allowing for stable level shifting with reduced occupation area and power consumption by using PMOS and NMOS transistors to latch and convert voltage levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a level shifter includes a resistor on an internal current path to compensate for insufficient driving capacity, then the driving capacity is improved, but the occupation area and power consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical parameters of the level shifter by introducing a bootstrap capacitor that dynamically adjusts the voltage level at the gate of the output transistor. This parameter change enables the output transistor to operate in a more efficient region, providing sufficient driving capacity without requiring additional resistors, thereby reducing occupation area while maintaining the required power output
2Power
If a level shifter includes a resistor on an internal current path to compensate for insufficient driving capacity, then the driving capacity is improved, but the power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The bootstrap capacitor dynamically changes the operating parameters of the level shifter by raising the gate voltage of the output transistor during the output phase. This parameter adjustment reduces the on-resistance of the output transistor, enabling it to deliver the required current with lower power dissipation, thus improving driving capacity while reducing overall power consumption without needing additional resistive elements
3Adaptability or versatility
If the amplitude difference between input and output signals increases, then the voltage level conversion range is improved, but the driving capacity becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic mechanism using a bootstrap capacitor that actively adjusts the gate voltage of the output transistor based on the input signal conditions. This dynamic adjustment allows the level shifter to adapt to varying voltage level differences, maintaining sufficient driving capacity across a wide conversion range by optimizing the transistor operating point in real-time rather than relying on fixed resistive compensation
Data Source
AI summary
A voltage level conversion circuit includes a voltage switch circuit and a level shift circuit. The voltage switch circuit is configured to sequentially output an intermediate voltage and a conversion voltage in response to a switch signal. The level shift circuit is configured to latch a voltage level corresponding to an input signal using the intermediate voltage, and to convert the latched voltage level using the conversion voltage to generate an output signal.