LEVEL SHIFTER FOR HIGH DENSITY INTEGRATED CIRCUIT

摘要

A level shifter for conversion between voltages in a core voltage range and voltages within a larger I/O voltage range is provided. The level shifter has interconnected transistors formed as core devices operable within the core voltage range. The level shifter is connected to first and second power connections at the I/O voltage range. A voltage clamping element formed as a core device has a threshold voltage greater than or equal to a difference between the I/O voltage range and the core voltage range and configured to prevent the transistors from being overloaded by voltages beyond the core voltage range. The input to the level shifter is within the core voltage range. A level shifter output signal has a high level at the high voltage of the I/O voltage range and a low level at approximately one threshold voltage above the low voltage level of the core voltage range.;COPYRIGHT KIPO 2014