Patent ID: 6107857
Filing Date: 2000-08-22
Classification: H03K

Abstract:
A level converting circuit for converting an input signal having a first reference voltage level supplied to a signal input terminal into a converted signal having a second reference voltage level, a level of the input signal changing within an amplitude having the first reference voltage level and a predetermined voltage level, comprising:an input loading element;an input switching element provided with first and second output electrodes and a control electrode, the first output electrode being connected to a power source voltage of a first voltage level, the second output electrode being connected to a power source voltage of a second voltage level via the input loading element, and the control electrode being connected to the signal input terminal, the input switching element for outputting a signal of the first or second voltage level depending on whether the input signal is of the first reference voltage level or of the predetermined voltage level; andan output switching element provided with first and second power source terminals, a signal output terminal and a control terminal, the first power source terminal being supplied with a power source voltage of a third voltage level, the second power source terminal being connected to a power source voltage of a fourth voltage level different from the third voltage level, and the control terminal being connected to the second output electrode of said input switching element, the output switching element for outputting a signal of the third or fourth level from the signal output terminal as the converted signal, depending on whether the voltage level of the signal output from the input switching element is of the first or second level,the input loading element having first and second electrodes and a second control electrode, the first electrode being connected to the power source voltage of the second voltage level, the second electrode being connected to the second output electrode of the input switching element, and the second control electrode being connected to the power source voltage of the first or third voltage level.