Patent ID: 8339177
Filing Date: 2012-12-25
Classification: H03K

Abstract:
1. A level shifter, comprising: an input voltage supply node and an input reference node operative within a first power domain; an output voltage supply node and an output reference node operative within a second power domain; an input signal node for receiving an input signal operable within said first power domain; an output signal node; a level shifter network which is configured to receive said input signal at said input signal node, to perform voltage shifting between said input voltage supply node and said output voltage supply node and between said input reference node and said output reference node, and to provide an output signal via said output signal node, wherein said output signal represents said input signal and is operable within said second power domain; and wherein said level shifter circuit further comprises a ground bypass input for receiving a ground bypass signal, and wherein said level shifter circuit bypasses at least a portion of said level shifter circuit performing voltage shifting between said input reference node and said output reference node when said ground bypass signal indicates ground bypass.