Patent ID: 7701278
Filing Date: 2010-04-20
Classification: H03K

Abstract:
1. A TOP level shifter for use in a drive circuit useful for transmitting an input signal IN from drive logic to a TOP driver, the TOP level shifter comprising: a pulse generating circuit; an UP level shifter coupled to receive pulses generated by said pulse generating circuit; a DOWN level shifter coupled to receive pulses generated by said pulse generating circuit, said DOWN level shifter being in parallel with said UP level shifter; a signal evaluation circuit coupled to receive outputs of said UP level shifter and said DOWN level shifter; and means for receiving first and second supply voltages; wherein said pulse generating circuit generates ON and OFF signals; wherein said UP level shifter includes first and second paths, said first path of said UP level shifter being formed of first and second n-channel transistors, connected in cascode, the drain of said first transistor being coupled to the source of said second transistor; said second path of said UP level shifter being formed of third and fourth n-channel transistors, connected in cascode, the drain of said third transistor being coupled to the source of said fourth transistor; wherein the anode of said second diode serves as the OFF output of said UP level shifter path and is coupled to receive said second supply voltage through a sixth resistor.