Patent ID: 6028468
Filing Date: 2000-02-22
Classification: H03K

Abstract:
A level shift circuit comprising:a voltage input signal presenting at least a first voltage level and a second voltage level for coding information;said first voltage level substantially equal to a first supply voltage;a magnitude of a first difference between said first and second voltage levels being five volts or less;said level shift circuit having a signal current modulating means supplied with said voltage input signal and generating a current signal having a first current value and a second current value related to said first and second voltage levels of said input voltage signal, respectively, said signal current modulating means comprising a signal voltage divider connected between a first supply line at said first supply voltage, and a second supply line at a second supply voltage; said signal voltage divider comprising at least a first and a second electric component connected to each other in series and coupled respectively to said first and said second supply lines; said signal current modulating means also comprising a signal controlled switch element having a control terminal supplied with said input signal and being arranged in parallel to said first electric component; andsignal converting means supplied with said current signal and generating a voltage output signal presenting at least a third voltage level and a fourth voltage level; said third and fourth voltage levels being five volts or less, a magnitude of a second difference between said third and fourth voltage levels being five volts or less.