Patent ID: 7301386
Filing Date: 2007-11-27
Classification: H03K

Abstract:
1. A voltage level shifting device for translating a lower operating voltage to a higher operating voltage, comprising: a first input node coupled to a first pull down device and a second input node coupled to a second pull down device, wherein said second node receives a complementary logic signal with respect to said first input node, said first and second input nodes associated with the lower operating voltage; a first pull up device in series with said first pull down device and a second pull up device in series with said second pull down device, said first and second pull up devices coupled to a power supply at the higher operating voltage; an output node between said second pull down device and said second pull up device, said output node controlling the conductivity of said first pull up device a first inverter having an input connected to said output node; a second inverter having an input connected to an output of said first inverter, and an output of said second inverter connected to said output node; a switching device between said first pull up device and said first pull down device, said switching device controlled by said output of said first inverter; and a clamping device in parallel with said first pull up device, said clamping device configured to prevent said second pull up device from becoming fully saturated.