Patent ID: 7129751
Filing Date: 2006-10-31
Classification: H03K

Abstract:
1. A level shifter with integrated firewall comprising: an input stage comprising input circuitry and an input stage firewall switching element, the input stage firewall switching element to either couple or decouple the input circuitry from a reference voltage in response to a firewall enable signal; and a voltage translator stage to translate signals between a first voltage domain and a second voltage domain, the voltage translator stage comprising a firewall assertion switching element to cause the level shifter to generate an output signal having a predetermined one of either a high or low state when the firewall enable signal is asserted, wherein the voltage translator stage translates signals between the first voltage domain and the second voltage domain when the firewall enable signal is deasserted, and wherein the voltage translator stage further comprises firewall switching elements to couple data signal switching elements to voltage translation switching elements when the firewall enable signal is deasserted.