LEVEL SHIFTER FOR A TIME-VARYING INPUT

摘要

A level shifter circuit for coupling a first circuit, that uses a first supply voltage, with a second circuit, that uses a second supply voltage, includes an input node to receive an input signal and an output node to output to a level-shifted output signal corresponding with the input signal. An idle state on the input node corresponds with a particular binary logic value that is maintained for a first time period, and which is detected by a detection sub-circuit. Further, the level shifter circuit includes a first inverter that uses the second supply voltage, and has a feedback path between the input and output of the first inverter. The feedback path includes a first resistive element and a first transmission gate. The first transmission gate is configurable to open the feedback path when the detection sub-circuit detects an idle state on the input node of the level shifter circuit.

主权项

1. A method for coupling a first circuit with a second circuit, the first circuit using a first supply voltage and the second circuit using a second supply voltage, comprising:
detecting an idle state on an input node of a level-shifting circuit, the idle state being a state that corresponds with a particular binary logic value and which is maintained for a first time period; and opening a feedback path of the level-shifting circuit when a detection sub-circuit of the level-shifting circuit detects the idle state on the input node, wherein the level-shifting circuit includes a first inverter that uses the second supply voltage, the first inverter having an input and an output; wherein the feedback path is between the input and output of the first inverter and includes a first transmission gate.