Patent ID: 6741115
Filing Date: 2004-05-25
Classification: H03K

Abstract:
A digital level shifter for driving an input of a scaled driver device that has an output operative within an elevated voltage range, comprising:a digital voltage limiter coupled to first and second source voltages having first and second voltage levels, respectively, defining a first voltage range in which said second voltage level has a magnitude that is greater than said first voltage level, said digital voltage limiter receiving a digital input signal operative within said first voltage range and providing a corresponding voltage limited signal operative within a limited voltage range between said second voltage level and an intermediate voltage level that is between said first and second voltage levels; and a digital level-shifted switch coupled to a third source voltage and said first source voltage, wherein said third source voltage has a third voltage level with a magnitude that is greater than said magnitude of said second voltage level, said digital level-shifted switch receiving said voltage limited signal and correspondingly switching a voltage shifted digital signal within a voltage shifted range defined between said intermediate and third voltage levels in response to switching of said voltage limited signal; wherein said intermediate voltage level is greater than said first voltage level to preclude gate oxide breakdown of the scaled driver device.