Patent ID: 6081153
Filing Date: 2000-06-27
Classification: H03K

Abstract:
A latch circuit having a voltage level converting function, comprising:voltage level converting means for converting the voltage level of an input signal and for releasing an output signal with a voltage level different from the voltage level of the input signal; andmode changing means responsive to a control signal to change said voltage level converting means between two modes one of which is for permitting said input signal to pass through and be dealt as said output signal and the other of which is for holding said input signal upon a change of said control signal and for dealing it as said output signal,wherein said voltage level converting means includes:a first transistor and a second transistor each having an input terminal connected to a first voltage source, and each of said first and second transistors having an output terminal connected to a control terminal of the other of said first and second transistors;a third transistor and a fourth transistor connected in series between said output terminals of said first and second transistors and a second voltage source to connect or disconnect said first and second transistors to or from said second voltage source in a mutually complementary relation in response to said input signal; anda data signal output terminal located at least one of locations between said first transistor and said third transistor and between said second transistor and said fourth transistor to extract said output signal,wherein said mode changing means includes:a fifth transistor connected between the output terminal of said first transistor and a control terminal of said fourth transistor, and having a control terminal supplied with said control signal; anda sixth transistor connected between the output terminal of said second transistor and a control terminal of said third transistor, and having a control terminal supplied with said control signal.