Patent ID: 8836406
Filing Date: 2014-09-16
Classification: H03K,H03L

Abstract:
1. A level shifter, comprising: a latch supplied at a first voltage and having first and second latch elements one of which is activated and the other deactivated in respective states of said latch; first and second switch elements connected in series with said first and second latch elements and coupled to maintain the state of said second and first latch elements respectively during a stability period; an output connected to at least one of said first and second latch elements; third and fourth switch elements connected to control said first and second latch elements respectively during a transition period, wherein said first and second latch elements have respective first and second current conduction paths in series with said first and second switch elements and first and second control electrodes connected with said second and first switch elements and with said third and fourth switch elements, wherein said first voltage is supplied between first and second voltage supply nodes, and said third and fourth switch elements include respective third and fourth control elements having control electrodes and current conduction paths connected between said first and second control electrodes and said first voltage supply node, and third and fourth drive elements having current conduction paths connected between said control electrodes of said third and fourth control elements and said second voltage supply node; and a controller for responding to a change of state of an input signal at a voltage different from said first voltage at an end of said stability period to deactivate both said first and second switch elements, to cause said third and fourth switch elements to deactivate both said first and second latch elements during said transition period, and subsequently to activate one of said first and second switch elements and the corresponding one of said second and first latch elements to change the state of said latch and maintain the changed state during the subsequent stability period.