System and method for a level shifter

摘要

In accordance with an embodiment, a level shifter circuit includes a reconfigurable level shifting core coupled to a first node and a second node. The reconfigurable level shifting core is configured as a current mirror in a first mode, and as a cross-coupled device in a second mode. In the first mode, the current mirror mirrors a current at the first node to the second node, and in the second mode, the cross-coupled device produces a current at the second node in response to a voltage at the first node, and a current at the first node in response to a voltage at the second node.

主权项

1. A level shifter circuit comprising:
a reconfigurable level shifting core coupled to a first node and a second node, wherein
the reconfigurable level shifting core is configured as a current mirror in a first mode, the current mirror mirroring a current at the first node to the second node, andthe reconfigurable level shifting core is configured as a cross-coupled device in a second mode, the cross-coupled device producing a current at the second node in response to a voltage at the first node, and producing a current at the first node in response to a voltage at the second node, wherein the first mode is active only when an output voltage of the level shifter circuit is below a first threshold and an input voltage of the level shifter circuit is below a second threshold; and the second mode is active when the first mode is not active.