PATENT DOCUMENT

Abstract:
The present invention discloses a voltage level shifter capable of interfacing between two circuit systems having different operating voltage swings. The voltage level shifter comprises an input buffer having a low supply voltage for inverting an external input signal to an internal input signal, and an output buffer having a high supply voltage for inverting the internal input signal to an external output signal. The high level of the external input signal is lower than the high level of the external output signal. The voltage level shifter is designed such that the input buffer is operating to achieve a low-leakage and high-speed performance.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a voltage level shifter, and more particularly to a dual supply voltage input/out buffer capable of interfacing between two circuit systems having different voltage swings. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    Historically, the primary mode of reducing power consumption in electronic circuits has been to insistently scale down the power supply voltage. Recently, a move to 1.8 V power supply has been popularized among low-power and high-speed circuit designers. Problems may arise where both low and high voltage integrated circuits are connected together. An integrated circuit operating on a lower voltage must then provide an output at the higher voltage. 
         [0005]    A typical solution to this problem is to add an intermediate voltage level shifter between an internal circuitry having a low voltage swing and an external circuitry having a high voltage swing. A special concern has been focused on a 3.3 V driver for 1.8 V process. 
         [0006]    Please refer to  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 1  is a circuit diagram schematically illustrating a voltage level shifter  100  according to the prior art. The voltage level shifter  100  of the prior art comprises a first transistor  111 , a second transistor  112 , a third transistor  121 , a fourth transistor  122 , and an inverter  131 . In addition, there is a reference voltage generator, not shown in the figure, for providing a high supply voltage VCCH and a low supply voltage VCCL. 
         [0007]    The voltage supply of the inverter  131  is the low supply voltage VCCL. The external output signal VOUT  114  is taken out from the first contact point  113 . 
         [0008]    The inverter  131  functions to invert the external input signal VIN  133  to generate an internal input signal VX  134  at the third contact point  132 . That is, the internal input signal VX  134  is at a low voltage while the external input signal VIN  133  is at a ground voltage and the internal input signal VX  134  is at a ground voltage while the external input signal VIN  133  is at a low voltage. 
         [0009]    The second transistor  112  in conjunction with the first transistor  111  acts to perform an inverting process having different voltage swings between inputting and outputting. That is, the external output signal VOUT  114  is at a high voltage while the internal input signal VX  134  is at a ground voltage and the external output signal VOUT  114  is at a ground voltage while the internal input signal VX  134  is at a low voltage. 
         [0010]    When a ground voltage is applied to the external input signal VIN  133 , the internal input signal VX  134  at the third contact point  132  is switching to a low voltage by the inverter  131 . The second transistor  112  is turned on due to the low voltage furnished to its gate terminal connected to the third contact point  132 . 
         [0011]    Consequently, the external output signal VOUT  114  connected to the drain of the second transistor  112  is grounded through the second transistor  112  and is pulled down to the ground voltage. The external output signal VOUT  114  having a ground voltage is then coupled into the gate of the third transistor  121  and turns on the third transistor  121 . The voltage at the second contact point  123  is now pulled up to the high voltage provided by the high supply voltage VCCH through the third transistor  121 . The high voltage at the second contact point  123  is then coupled into the gate of the first transistor  111  and turns off the first transistor  111 . That is, the external output signal VOUT  114  cannot be pulled up to the high voltage through the first transistor  111 . 
         [0012]    The gate-source voltage drop of the fourth transistor  122  is about zero voltage because both its gate voltage and its source voltage at the third contact point  132  are held at the same low voltage, which will turn off the fourth transistor  122 . The circuit operation process described above forms a self-consistent action. 
         [0013]    When a low voltage is applied to the external input signal VIN  133 , the internal input signal VX  134  at the third contact point  132  is switching to a ground voltage by the inverter  131 . The second transistor  112  is turned off due to the ground voltage furnished to its gate terminal connected to the third contact point  132 . 
         [0014]    Consequently, the external output signal VOUT  114  connected to the drain of the second transistor  112  cannot be pulled down to the ground voltage. However, the gate-source voltage drop of the fourth transistor  122  is then approximately equal to the low voltage because of the low voltage at its gate terminal and the ground voltage at its source terminal, which means at the third contact point  132 , and the fourth transistor  122  is then turned on. The ground voltage at the third contact point  132  is thus coupled to the gate of the first transistor  111  through the fourth transistor  122  and turns on the first transistor  111 . 
         [0015]    Thereby, the first contact point  113  is electrically connected to the high supply voltage VCCH through the first transistor  111  and the external output signal VOUT  114  can be pulled up to the high voltage. The high voltage at the first contact point  113  is then coupled to the gate of the third transistor  121  and turns off the third transistor  121 . Again, the circuit operation process described above forms a self-consistent action. 
         [0016]    In the prior art voltage level shifter  100 , the fourth transistor  122  of is a thick oxide device, which means that the threshold voltage of the fourth transistor  122  is relatively higher compared with that of a thin oxide device. That is, when the internal input signal VX  134  at the third contact point  132  changes from a ground voltage to a low voltage, the second transistor  112  switches from an off-state to an on-state. 
         [0017]    Meanwhile, the fourth transistor  122  switches from an on-state to an off-state. The state switching processes for the second transistor  112  and the fourth transistor  122  must co-act to form a self-consistent operation. 
         [0018]    However, a higher threshold voltage of the fourth transistor  122  in conjunction with a fixed low supply voltage VCCL at its gate terminal means that the voltage swing of the internal input signal VX  134  at the third contact point  132  for the fourth transistor  122  to switch on-off state is also larger, which further means a longer time must be taken for state-switching processes. Therefore, a move to a high-speed operation of the internal circuitry may excess the state-switching speed of the related transistors in the voltage level shifter  100 , which may cause a malfunction of the voltage level shifter  100 . 
         [0019]    Please refer to  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 2  is a circuit diagram schematically illustrating another voltage level shifter  200  according to the prior art. The voltage level shifter  200  of the prior art comprises a first transistor  211 , a second transistor  212 , a third transistor  221 , a fourth transistor  222  having a low threshold voltage, and an inverter  231 . In addition, there is a reference voltage generator, not shown in the figure, for providing a high supply voltage VCCH and a low supply voltage VCCL. 
         [0020]    The inverter  231  comprises a fifth transistor  235  and a sixth transistor  236 . The fourth transistor  222  is designed to be a transistor of low threshold voltage or even zero threshold voltage. 
         [0021]    The essential operations of the voltage level shifter  200  and the voltage level shifter  100  are the same. However, due to the low threshold voltage of the fourth transistor  222 , the voltage swing of the internal input signal VX  234  at the third contact point for the fourth transistor  222  to switch on-off state is smaller, which means the time duration taken for state-switching processes is shorter. Therefore, the voltage level shifter  200  can accommodate itself to a high-speed internal circuitry. 
         [0022]    Nevertheless, a leakage pathway may occur to the voltage level shifter  200  in certain situation described below. That is, when a ground voltage is applied to the external input signal VIN  233 , the fifth transistor  235  is turned on and the sixth transistor  236  is turned off. The internal input signal VX  234  at the third contact point  232  is then pulled up to a low voltage through the fifth transistor  235  in the inverter  231 . The second transistor  212  is turned on due to the low voltage furnished to its gate terminal connected to the third contact point  232 . 
         [0023]    Ideally, the gate-source voltage drop of the fourth transistor  222  is about zero voltage because both its gate voltage and its source voltage at the third contact point  232  are held at about the same low voltage, which will turn off the fourth transistor  222 . However, the voltage of the gate of the fourth transistor  222  is exactly equal to the lower supply voltage VCCL and the voltage at the third contact point  232 , which is also the source terminal of the fourth transistor  222 , is actually less than the lower supply voltage VCCL due to the inner voltage drop of the inverter  231 , which is well known to those skilled in the art. 
         [0024]    If the voltage difference between the gate voltage and the source voltage of the fourth transistor  222  excesses the low threshold voltage of the fourth transistor  222 , the state of the fourth transistor  222  can not be completely turned off while it should be. Under such circumstance, the on-state third transistor  221  in conjunction with the on-state fourth transistor  222  will result in a power leakage pathway  240  that is shown in  FIG. 2  as a dashed line extending from the high supply voltage VCCH to the low supply voltage VCCL through the on-state fifth transistor  235  of the inverter  231 . The power leakage pathway  240  will sacrifice the benefit of having lower operating voltage. 
         [0025]    Consequently, there is a great need for providing a voltage level shifter capable of high-speed and low-leakage operation. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]    The present invention provides a voltage level shifter capable of interfacing between two circuit systems having different operating voltage swings. The voltage level shifter comprises a first transistor, a second transistor, a third transistor, a fourth transistor having a low threshold voltage, and an inverter. In addition, there is a reference voltage generator for providing a high supply voltage and a low supply voltage. 
         [0027]    The drain of the first transistor and the drain of the second transistor are electrically connected at a first contact point. The drain of the third transistor and the drain of the fourth transistor are electrically connected at a second contact point. 
         [0028]    The source of the first transistor and the source of the third transistor are both electrically connected to a high supply voltage. The source of the second transistor is electrically connected to a ground GND. The gate of the third transistor is electrically connected to the drain of the first transistor at the first contact point. The gate of the first transistor is electrically connected to the drain of the third transistor at the second contact point. The gate of the fourth transistor is electrically connected to the external input signal. The input of the inverter is also electrically connected to the external input signal and the output of the inverter is electrically connected to both the source of the fourth transistor and the gate of the second transistor at a third contact point. The voltage supply of the inverter is the low supply voltage. The external output signal is taken out from the first contact point. 
         [0029]    The inverter functions to invert the external input signal to generate an internal input signal at a third contact point. The second transistor in conjunction with the first transistor acts to perform an inverting process having different voltage swings between inputting and outputting. 
         [0030]    When a ground voltage is applied to the external input signal, the ground voltage is then furnished to both the input of the inverter and the gate of the fourth transistor. The internal input signal at the third contact point is switching to a low voltage by the inverter. The second transistor is turned on due to the low voltage furnished to its gate terminal connected to the third contact point. 
         [0031]    Consequently, the external output signal connected to the drain of the second transistor is grounded through the second transistor and is pulled down to the ground voltage. The external output signal having a ground voltage is then coupled into the gate of the third transistor and turns on the third transistor. The voltage at the second contact point is now pulled up to the high voltage by the high supply voltage through the third transistor. The high voltage at the second contact point is then coupled into the gate of the first transistor and turns off the first transistor. That is, the external output signal cannot be pulled up to the high voltage through the first transistor. The gate voltage of the fourth transistor having a ground voltage minus the source voltage of the fourth transistor having a low voltage leaves the gate-source voltage drop of the fourth transistor, which is now a minus voltage and will definitely turn off the fourth transistor having a low threshold voltage. 
         [0032]    Therefore, the power leakage pathway in the high-speed level shifter of the prior art is not likely to occur in the level shifter of the claimed invention. Accordingly, the circuit operation process described above forms a robust self-consistent action capable of achieving a high-speed performance without any power leakage problem. 
         [0033]    When a low voltage is applied to the external input signal, the low voltage is then furnished to both the input of the inverter and the gate of the fourth transistor. The internal input signal at the third contact point is switching to a ground voltage by the inverter. The second transistor is turned off due to the ground voltage furnished to its gate terminal connected to the third contact point. 
         [0034]    Consequently, the external output signal connected to the drain of the second transistor cannot be pulled down to the ground voltage. However, the gate-source voltage drop of the fourth transistor is now approximately equal to the low voltage because of the low voltage at its gate terminal and the ground voltage at its source terminal, which means at the third contact point, and the fourth transistor is then turned on. The ground voltage at the third contact point is thus coupled to the gate of the first transistor through the fourth transistor and turns on the first transistor. 
         [0035]    Accordingly, the first contact point is electrically connected to the high supply voltage through the first transistor and the external output signal can be pulled up to the high voltage. The high voltage at the first contact point is then coupled to the gate of the third transistor and turns off the third transistor. Again, the circuit operation process described above forms a robust self-consistent action. 
         [0036]    In summary, the voltage level shifter of the claimed invention provides a robust circuit design to advance the circuit performance for high-speed and low-leakage operation. 
         [0037]    These and other objectives of the present invention will no doubt become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment that is illustrated in the various figures and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0038]      FIG. 1  is a circuit diagram schematically illustrating a voltage level shifter according to the prior art. 
           [0039]      FIG. 2  is a circuit diagram schematically illustrating another voltage level shifter according to the prior art. 
           [0040]      FIG. 3  is a circuit diagram schematically illustrating a first preferred embodiment of the voltage level shifter according to the claimed invention 
           [0041]      FIG. 4  is a circuit diagram schematically illustrating a second preferred embodiment of the voltage level shifter according to the claimed invention. 
           [0042]      FIG. 5  is a circuit diagram schematically illustrating a third preferred embodiment of the voltage level shifter according to the claimed invention. 
           [0043]      FIG. 6  is a circuit diagram schematically illustrating a fourth preferred embodiment of the voltage level shifter according to the claimed invention. 
           [0044]      FIG. 7  is a circuit diagram schematically illustrating a fifth preferred embodiment of the voltage level shifter according to the claimed invention. 
           [0045]      FIG. 8  is a circuit diagram schematically illustrating a sixth preferred embodiment of the voltage level shifter according to the claimed invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0046]    The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
         [0047]    Please refer to  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 3  is a circuit diagram schematically illustrating a first preferred embodiment of a voltage level shifter  300  according to the present invention. The voltage level shifter  300  of the claimed invention comprises a first transistor  311 , a second transistor  312 , a third transistor  321 , a fourth transistor  322  having a low threshold voltage, and an inverter  331 . In addition, there is a reference voltage generator, not shown in the figure, for providing a high supply voltage VCCH and a low supply voltage VCCL. 
         [0048]    The drain of the first transistor  311  and the drain of the second transistor  312  are electrically connected at a first contact point  313 . The drain of the third transistor  321  and the drain of the fourth transistor  322  are electrically connected at a second contact point  323 . 
         [0049]    The source of the first transistor  311  and the source of the third transistor  321  are both electrically connected to a high supply voltage VCCH. The source of the second transistor  312  is electrically connected to a ground GND. The gate of the third transistor  321  is electrically connected to the drain of the first transistor  311  at the first contact point  313 . The gate of the first transistor  311  is electrically connected to the drain of the third transistor  321  at the second contact point  323 . The gate of the fourth transistor  322  is electrically connected to the external input signal VIN  333 . The input of the inverter  331  is also electrically connected to the external input signal VIN  333  and the output of the inverter  331  is electrically connected to both the source of the fourth transistor  322  and the gate of the second transistor  312  at a third contact point  332 . The voltage supply of the inverter  331  is the low supply voltage VCCL. The external output signal VOUT  314  is taken out from the first contact point  313 . 
         [0050]    The inverter  331  functions to invert the external input signal VIN  333  to generate an internal input signal VX  334  at the third contact point  332 . That is, the internal input signal VX  334  is at a low voltage while the external input signal VIN  333  is at a ground voltage and the internal input signal VX  334  is at a ground voltage while the external input signal VIN  333  is at a low voltage. 
         [0051]    The second transistor  312  in conjunction with the first transistor  311  acts to perform an inverting process having different voltage swings between inputting and outputting. That is, the external output signal VOUT  314  is at a high voltage while the internal input signal VX  334  is at a ground voltage and the external output signal VOUT  314  is at a ground voltage while the internal input signal VX  334  is at a low voltage. 
         [0052]    When a ground voltage is applied to the external input signal VIN  333 , the ground voltage is then furnished to both the input of the inverter  331  and the gate of the fourth transistor  322 . The internal input signal VX  334  at the third contact point  332  is switching to a low voltage by the inverter  331 . The second transistor  312  is turned on due to the low voltage furnished to its gate terminal connected to the third contact point  332 . 
         [0053]    Consequently, the external output signal VOUT  314  connected to the drain of the second transistor  312  is grounded through the second transistor  312  and is pulled down to the ground voltage. The external output signal VOUT  314  having a ground voltage is then coupled into the gate of the third transistor  321  and turns on the third transistor  321 . The voltage at the second contact point  323  is now pulled up to the high voltage by the high supply voltage VCCH through the third transistor  321 . The high voltage at the second contact point  323  is then coupled into the gate of the first transistor  311  and turns off the first transistor  311 . That is, the external output signal VOUT  314  cannot be pulled up to the high voltage through the first transistor  311 . The gate voltage of the fourth transistor  322  having a ground voltage minus the source voltage of the fourth transistor  322  having a low voltage leaves the gate-source voltage drop of the fourth transistor  322 , which is now a minus voltage and will definitely turn off the fourth transistor  322  having a low threshold voltage. 
         [0054]    Accordingly, the power leakage pathway in the high-speed level shifter  200  of the prior art is not likely to occur in the level shifter  300  of the claimed invention. Accordingly, the circuit operation process described above forms a robust self-consistent action capable of achieving a high-speed performance without any power leakage problem. 
         [0055]    When a low voltage is applied to the external input signal VIN  333 , the low voltage is then furnished to both the input of the inverter  331  and the gate of the fourth transistor  322 . The internal input signal VX  334  at the third contact point  332  is switching to a ground voltage by the inverter  331 . The second transistor  312  is turned off due to the ground voltage furnished to its gate terminal connected to the third contact point  332 . 
         [0056]    Consequently, the external output signal VOUT  314  connected to the drain of the second transistor  312  cannot be pulled down to the ground voltage. However, the gate-source voltage drop of the fourth transistor  322  is now approximately equal to the low voltage because of the low voltage at its gate terminal and the ground voltage at its source terminal, which means at the third contact point, and the fourth transistor  322  is then turned on. The ground voltage at the third contact point  332  is thus coupled to the gate of the first transistor  311  through the fourth transistor  322  and turns on the first transistor  311 . 
         [0057]    Accordingly, the first contact point  313  is electrically connected to the high supply voltage VCCH through the first transistor  311  and the external output signal VOUT  314  can be pulled up to the high voltage. The high voltage at the first contact point  313  is then coupled to the gate of the third transistor  321  and turns off the third transistor  321 . Again, the circuit operation process described above forms a robust self-consistent action. 
         [0058]    In summary, the voltage level shifter  300  is a robust circuit design having a high-speed and low-leakage performance. 
         [0059]    Please refer to  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 4  is a circuit diagram schematically illustrating a second preferred embodiment of a voltage level shifter  400  according to the present invention. The voltage level shifter  400  of the claimed invention comprises a first transistor  411 , a second transistor  412 , a third transistor  421 , a fourth transistor  422  having a low threshold voltage, a fifth transistor  424 , and an inverter  431 . In addition, there is a reference voltage generator, not shown in the figure, for providing a high supply voltage VCCH and a low supply voltage VCCL. 
         [0060]    The structure of the voltage level shifter  400  is the same as that shown in  FIG. 3 , differing only in that the fifth transistor  424  is added and coupled between the third transistor  421  and the high supply voltage VCCH. 
         [0061]    The inverter  431  functions to invert the external input signal VIN  433  to generate an internal input signal VX  434  at the third contact point  432 . That is, the internal input signal VX  434  is at a low voltage while the external input signal VIN  433  is at a ground voltage and the internal input signal VX  434  is at a ground voltage while the external input signal VIN  433  is at a low voltage. 
         [0062]    The second transistor  412  in conjunction with the first transistor  411  acts to perform an inverting process having different voltage swings between inputting and outputting. That is, the external output signal VOUT  414  is at a high voltage while the internal input signal VX  434  is at a ground voltage and the external output signal VOUT  414  is at a ground voltage while the internal input signal VX  434  is at a low voltage. 
         [0063]    When a ground voltage is applied to the external input signal VIN  433 , the ground voltage is then furnished to the input of the inverter  431 , the gate of the fifth transistor  424 , and the gate of the fourth transistor  422 . The fifth transistor  424  is then turned on due to the ground voltage applied to its gate terminal. The internal input signal VX  434  at the third contact point  432  is switching to a low voltage by the inverter  431 . The second transistor  412  is turned on due to the low voltage furnished to its gate terminal connected to the third contact point  432 . 
         [0064]    Consequently, the external output signal VOUT  414  connected to the drain of the second transistor  412  is grounded through the second transistor  412  and is pulled down to the ground voltage. The external output signal VOUT  414  having a ground voltage is then coupled into the gate of the third transistor  421  and turns on the third transistor  421 . The voltage at the second contact point  423  is now pulled up to the high voltage by the high supply voltage VCCH through the third transistor  421  and the fifth transistor  424 . The high voltage at the second contact point  423  is then coupled into the gate of the first transistor  411  and turns off the first transistor  411 . That is, the external output signal VOUT  414  cannot be pulled up to the high voltage through the first transistor  411 . The gate voltage of the fourth transistor  422  having a ground voltage minus the source voltage of the fourth transistor  422  having a low voltage leaves the gate-source voltage drop of the fourth transistor  422 , which is now a minus voltage and will definitely turn off the fourth transistor  422  having a low threshold voltage. 
         [0065]    Accordingly, the power leakage pathway in the high-speed level shifter  200  of the prior art is also not likely to occur in the level shifter  400  of the claimed invention. Accordingly, the circuit operation process described above forms a robust self-consistent action capable of achieving a high-speed performance without any power leakage problem. 
         [0066]    When a low voltage is applied to the external input signal VIN  433 , the low voltage is then furnished to the input of the inverter  431 , the gate of the fifth transistor  424 , and the gate of the fourth transistor  422 . The fifth transistor  424  is then turned off due to the low voltage applied to its gate terminal. The internal input signal VX  434  at the third contact point  432  is switching to a ground voltage by the inverter  431 . The second transistor  412  is turned off due to the ground voltage furnished to its gate terminal connected to the third contact point  432 . 
         [0067]    Consequently, the external output signal VOUT  414  connected to the drain of the second transistor  412  cannot be pulled down to the ground voltage. However, the gate-source voltage drop of the fourth transistor  422  is now approximately equal to the low voltage because of the low voltage at its gate terminal and the ground voltage at its source terminal, which means at the third contact point  432 , and the fourth transistor  422  is then turned on. The ground voltage at the third contact point  432  is thus coupled to the gate of the first transistor  411  through the fourth transistor  422  and turns on the first transistor  411 . 
         [0068]    Accordingly, the first contact point  413  is electrically connected to the high supply voltage VCCH through the first transistor  411  and the external output signal VOUT  414  can be pulled up to the high voltage. The high voltage at the first contact point  413  is then coupled to the gate of the third transistor  421  and turns off the third transistor  421 . Again, the circuit operation process described above forms a robust self-consistent action. 
         [0069]    In summary, the voltage level shifter  400  is a robust circuit design having a high-speed and low-leakage performance. 
         [0070]    Please refer to  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 5  is a circuit diagram schematically illustrating a third preferred embodiment of a voltage level shifter  500  according to the claimed invention. The voltage level shifter  500  of the present invention comprises a first transistor  511 , a second transistor  512 , a third transistor  521 , a fourth transistor  522  having a low threshold voltage, a first inverter  531 , and a second inverter  535 . In addition, there is a reference voltage generator, not shown in the figure, for providing a high supply voltage VCCH and a low supply voltage VCCL. 
         [0071]    The structure of the voltage level shifter  500  is the same as that shown in  FIG. 3 , differing only in that a second inverter  535  is added and coupled between the gate and source of the second transistor  512 . 
         [0072]    The first inverter  531  functions to invert the external input signal VIN  533  to generate an internal input signal VX  534  at the third contact point  532 . That is, the internal input signal VX  534  is at a low voltage while the external input signal VIN  533  is at a ground voltage and the internal input signal VX  534  is at a ground voltage while the external input signal VIN  533  is at a low voltage. 
         [0073]    The second inverter  535  is utilized to invert the internal input signal VX  534  at the third contact point  532  to generate the output of the second inverter  535  electrically connected to the source of the second transistor  512 . That is, the source of the second transistor  512  is at a low voltage while the internal input signal VX  534  is at a ground voltage and the source of the second transistor  512  is at a ground voltage while the internal input signal VX  534  is at a low voltage. 
         [0074]    With the aid of the second inverter  535 , the second transistor  512  in conjunction with the first transistor  511  acts to perform an inverting process having different voltage swings between inputting and outputting. That is, the external output signal VOUT  514  is at a high voltage while the internal input signal VX  534  is at a ground voltage and the external output signal VOUT  514  is at a ground voltage while the internal input signal VX  534  is at a low voltage. 
         [0075]    When a ground voltage is applied to the external input signal VIN  533 , the ground voltage is then furnished to both the input of the inverter  531  and the gate of the fourth transistor  522 . The internal input signal VX  534  at the third contact point  532  is switching to a low voltage by the inverter  531 . The low voltage of the internal input signal VX  534  is then furnished to the gate of the second transistor  512 . Thereafter, the source of the second transistor  512  is switching to a ground voltage by the second inverter  535 . The gate voltage of the second transistor  512  having a low voltage minus the source voltage of the second transistor  512  having a ground voltage leaves the gate-source voltage drop of the second transistor  512 , which is approximately equal to the low voltage and will turn on the second transistor  512 . 
         [0076]    Consequently, the external output signal VOUT  514  connected to the drain of the second transistor  512  is grounded through the second transistor  512  and is pulled down to the ground voltage of the source voltage of the second transistor  512 . The external output signal VOUT  514  having the ground voltage is then coupled into the gate of the third transistor  521  and turns on the third transistor  521 . The voltage at the second contact point  523  is now pulled up to the high voltage by the high supply voltage VCCH through the third transistor  521 . The high voltage at the second contact point  523  is then coupled into the gate of the first transistor  511  and turns off the first transistor  511 . That is, the external output signal VOUT  514  cannot be pulled up to the high voltage through the first transistor  511 . The gate voltage of the fourth transistor  522  having a ground voltage minus the source voltage of the fourth transistor  522  having a low voltage leaves the gate-source voltage drop of the fourth transistor  522 , which is now a minus voltage and will definitely turn off the fourth transistor  522  having a low threshold voltage. 
         [0077]    Accordingly, the power leakage pathway in the high-speed level shifter  200  of the prior art is not likely to occur in the level shifter  500  of the claimed invention. Accordingly, the circuit operation process described above forms a robust self-consistent action capable of achieving a high-speed performance without any power leakage problem. 
         [0078]    When a low voltage is applied to the external input signal VIN  533 , the low voltage is then furnished to both the input of the inverter  531  and the gate of the fourth transistor  522 . The internal input signal VX  534  at the third contact point  532  is switching to a ground voltage by the inverter  531 . The ground voltage of the internal input signal VX  534  is then furnished to the gate of the second transistor  512 . Thereafter, the source of the second transistor  512  is switching to a low voltage by the second inverter  535 . The gate voltage of the second transistor  512  having a ground voltage minus the source voltage of the second transistor  512  having a low voltage leaves the gate-source voltage drop of the second transistor  512 , which is a minus voltage and will definitely turn off the second transistor  512 . 
         [0079]    Consequently, the external output signal VOUT  514  connected to the drain of the second transistor  512  cannot be pulled down to the ground voltage. However, the gate-source voltage drop of the fourth transistor  522  is now approximately equal to the low voltage because of the low voltage at its gate terminal and the ground voltage at its source terminal, which means at the third contact point  532 , and the fourth transistor  522  is then turned on. The ground voltage at the third contact point  532  is thus coupled to the gate of the first transistor  511  through the fourth transistor  522  and turns on the first transistor  511 . 
         [0080]    Thereby, the first contact point  513  is electrically connected to the high supply voltage VCCH through the first transistor  511  and the external output signal VOUT  514  can be pulled up to the high voltage. The high voltage at the first contact point  513  is then coupled to the gate of the third transistor  521  and turns off the third transistor  521 . Again, the circuit operation process described above forms a robust self-consistent action. The second inverter  535  comprises a seventh transistor and an eighth transistor, not shown in the figure, but may be structured similarly to the inverter  231  in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0081]    In summary, the voltage level shifter  500  is a robust circuit design having a high-speed and low-leakage performance. 
         [0082]    Please refer to  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 6  is a circuit diagram schematically illustrating a fourth preferred embodiment of a voltage level shifter  600  according to the claimed invention. The voltage level shifter  600  of the present invention comprises a first transistor  611 , a second transistor  612 , a third transistor  621 , a fourth transistor  622  having a low threshold voltage, a first inverter  631 , and a second inverter  635 . In addition, there is a reference voltage generator, not shown in the figure, for providing a high supply voltage VCCH and a low supply voltage VCCL. 
         [0083]    The structure of the voltage level shifter  600  is the same as that shown in  FIG. 5 , differing only in that the gate of the fourth transistor  622  is coupled to the source of the second transistor  612 . 
         [0084]    The first inverter  631  functions to invert the external input signal VIN  633  to generate an internal input signal VX  634  at the third contact point  632 . That is, the internal input signal VX  634  is at a low voltage while the external input signal VIN  633  is at a ground voltage and the internal input signal VX  634  is at a ground voltage while the external input signal VIN  633  is at a low voltage. 
         [0085]    The second inverter  635  is utilized to invert the internal input signal VX  634  at the third contact point  632  to generate the output of the second inverter  635  electrically connected to the source of the second transistor  612  at the fourth contact point  636 . That is, the source of the second transistor  612  is at a low voltage while the internal input signal VX  634  is at a ground voltage and the source of the second transistor  612  is at a ground voltage while the internal input signal VX  634  is at a low voltage. 
         [0086]    With the aid of the second inverter  635 , the second transistor  612  in conjunction with the first transistor  611  acts to perform an inverting process having different voltage swings between inputting and outputting. That is, the external output signal VOUT  614  is at a high voltage while the internal input signal VX  634  is at a ground voltage and the external output signal VOUT  614  is at a ground voltage while the internal input signal VX  634  is at a low voltage. 
         [0087]    When a ground voltage is applied to the external input signal VIN  633 , the ground voltage is then furnished to the input of the inverter  631 . The internal input signal VX  634  at the third contact point  632  is switching to a low voltage by the inverter  631 . The low voltage of the internal input signal VX  634  is then furnished to the gate of the second transistor  612 . Thereafter, the source of the second transistor  612  and the gate of the fourth transistor  622  are both switching to a ground voltage by the second inverter  635 . The gate voltage of the second transistor  612  having a low voltage minus the source voltage of the second transistor  612  having a ground voltage leaves the gate-source voltage drop of the second transistor  612 , which is approximately equal to the low voltage and will turn on the second transistor  612 . 
         [0088]    Consequently, the external output signal VOUT  614  connected to the drain of the second transistor  612  is grounded through the second transistor  612  and is pulled down to the ground voltage of the source voltage of the second transistor  612 . The external output signal VOUT  614  having the ground voltage is then coupled into the gate of the third transistor  621  and turns on the third transistor  621 . The voltage at the second contact point  623  is now pulled up to the high voltage by the high supply voltage VCCH through the third transistor  621 . The high voltage at the second contact point  623  is then coupled into the gate of the first transistor  611  and turns off the first transistor  611 . That is, the external output signal VOUT  614  cannot be pulled up to the high voltage through the first transistor  611 . The gate voltage of the fourth transistor  622  having a ground voltage minus the source voltage of the fourth transistor  622  having a low voltage leaves the gate-source voltage drop of the fourth transistor  622 , which is now a minus voltage and will definitely turn off the fourth transistor  622  having a low threshold voltage. 
         [0089]    Accordingly, the power leakage pathway in the high-speed level shifter  200  of the prior art is not likely to occur in the level shifter  600  of the claimed invention. Accordingly, the circuit operation process described above forms a robust self-consistent action capable of achieving a high-speed performance without any power leakage problem. 
         [0090]    When a low voltage is applied to the external input signal VIN  633 , the low voltage is then furnished to the input of the inverter  631 . The internal input signal VX  634  at the third contact point  632  is switching to a ground voltage by the inverter  631 . The ground voltage of the internal input signal VX  634  is then furnished to the gate of the second transistor  612 . Thereafter, the source of the second transistor  612  and the gate of the fourth transistor  622  are both switching to a low voltage by the second inverter  635 . The gate voltage of the second transistor  612  having a ground voltage minus the source voltage of the second transistor  612  having a low voltage leaves the gate-source voltage drop of the second transistor  612 , which is a minus voltage and will definitely turn off the second transistor  612 . 
         [0091]    Consequently, the external output signal VOUT  614  connected to the drain of the second transistor  612  cannot be pulled down to the ground voltage. However, the gate-source voltage drop of the fourth transistor  622  is now approximately equal to the low voltage because of the low voltage at its gate terminal and the ground voltage at its source terminal, which means at the third contact point  632 , and the fourth transistor  622  is then turned on. The ground voltage at the third contact point  632  is thus coupled to the gate of the first transistor  611  through the fourth transistor  622  and turns on the first transistor  611 . 
         [0092]    Thereby, the first contact point  613  is electrically connected to the high supply voltage VCCH through the first transistor  611  and the external output signal VOUT  614  can be pulled up to the high voltage. The high voltage at the first contact point  613  is then coupled to the gate of the third transistor  621  and turns off the third transistor  621 . Again, the circuit operation process described above forms a robust self-consistent action. In summary, the voltage level shifter  600  is a robust circuit design having a high-speed and low-leakage performance. 
         [0093]    Please refer to  FIG. 7 .  FIG. 7  is a circuit diagram schematically illustrating a fifth preferred embodiment of a voltage level shifter  700  according to the present invention. The voltage level shifter  700  of the claimed invention comprises a first transistor  711 , a second transistor  712 , a third transistor  713 , a fourth transistor  721 , a fifth transistor  722 , a sixth transistor  723  having a low threshold voltage, a first inverter  731 , and a second inverter  735 . In addition, there is a reference voltage generator, not shown in the figure, for providing a high supply voltage VCCH and a low supply voltage VCCL. 
         [0094]    The structure of the voltage level shifter  700  is the same as that shown in  FIG. 5 , differing only in that the first transistor  711  and the fourth transistor  721  are added. The first transistor  711  is coupled between the high supply voltage VCCH and the second transistor  712 . The gate of the first transistor  711  is coupled to the gate of the third transistor  713 . The fourth transistor  721  is coupled between the high supply voltage VCCH and the fifth transistor  722 . The gate of the fourth transistor  721  is coupled to the gate of the sixth transistor  723 . 
         [0095]    The first inverter  731  functions to invert the external input signal VIN  733  to generate an internal input signal VX  734  at the fifth contact point  732 . That is, the internal input signal VX  734  is at a low voltage while the external input signal VIN  733  is at a ground voltage and the internal input signal VX  734  is at a ground voltage while the external input signal VIN  733  is at a low voltage. 
         [0096]    The second inverter  735  is utilized to invert the internal input signal VX  734  at the third contact point  732  to generate the output of the second inverter  735  electrically connected to the source of the third transistor  713 . That is, the source of the third transistor  713  is at a low voltage while the internal input signal VX  734  is at a ground voltage and the source of the third transistor  713  is at a ground voltage while the internal input signal VX  734  is at a low voltage 
         [0097]    With the aid of the second inverter  735 , the third transistor  713  in conjunction with the second transistor  712  and the first transistor  711  acts to perform an inverting process having different voltage swings between inputting and outputting. That is, the external output signal VOUT  716  is at a high voltage while the internal input signal VX  734  is at a ground voltage and the external output signal VOUT  716  is at a ground voltage while the internal input signal VX  734  is at a low voltage. 
         [0098]    When a ground voltage is applied to the external input signal VIN  733 , the ground voltage is then furnished to the input of the first inverter  731 , the gate of the fourth transistor  721 , and the gate of the sixth transistor  723 . The fourth transistor  721  is then turned on due to the ground voltage applied to its gate terminal. The voltage at the third contact point  724 , which means the source voltage of the fifth transistor  722 , is then pulled up to high supply voltage VCCH through fourth transistor  721 . The internal input signal VX  734  at the fifth contact point  732  is switching to a low voltage by the first inverter  731 . The low voltage at the fifth contact point  732  is then furnished to the source of the sixth transistor  723 , the gate of the first transistor  711 , the gate of the third transistor  713 , and the input of the second inverter  735 . The first transistor  711  is thus turned off due to the low voltage furnished to its gate terminal. Thereafter, the source voltage of the third transistor  713  is switching to a ground voltage by the second inverter  735 . The gate voltage of the third transistor  713  having a low voltage minus the source voltage of the third transistor  713  having a ground voltage leaves the gate-source voltage drop of the third transistor  713 , which is approximately equal to the low voltage and will turn on the third transistor  713 . 
         [0099]    Consequently, the external output signal VOUT  716  connected to the drain of the third transistor  713  is grounded through the third transistor  713  and is pulled down to the ground voltage. The external output signal VOUT  716  having a ground voltage is then coupled into the gate of the fifth transistor  722 . The gate voltage of the fifth transistor  722  having a ground voltage minus the source voltage of the fifth transistor  722  leaves the gate-source voltage drop of the fifth transistor  722 , which is a minus voltage and will turn on the fifth voltage  722 . The voltage at the fourth contact point  725  is now pulled up to the high voltage by the high supply voltage VCCH through the fourth transistor  721  and the fifth transistor  722 . The high voltage at the fourth contact point  725  is then coupled into the gate of the second transistor  712  and turns off the second transistor  712 . Therefore, both the first transistor  711  and the second transistor  712  are turned off under such situation. Accordingly, the external output signal VOUT  716  cannot be pulled up to the high voltage through the first transistor  711  and the second transistor  712 . The gate voltage of the sixth transistor  723  having a ground voltage minus the source voltage of the sixth transistor  723  having a low voltage leaves the gate-source voltage drop of the sixth transistor  723 , which is a minus voltage and will definitely turn off the sixth transistor  723  having a low threshold voltage. 
         [0100]    Accordingly, the power leakage pathway in the high-speed level shifter  200  of the prior art is also not likely to occur in the level shifter  700  of the claimed invention. As a result, the circuit operation process described above forms a robust self-consistent action capable of achieving a high-speed performance without any power leakage problem. 
         [0101]    When a low voltage is applied to the external input signal VIN  733 , the low voltage is then furnished to the input of the inverter  731 , the gate of the fourth transistor  721 , and the gate of the sixth transistor  723 . The fourth transistor  721  is then turned off due to the low voltage applied to its gate terminal. The internal input signal VX  734  at the fifth contact point  732  is switching to a ground voltage by the first inverter  731 . The ground voltage at the fifth contact point  732  is then furnished to the source of the sixth transistor  723 , the gate of the first transistor  711 , the gate of the third transistor  713 , and the input of the second inverter  735 . The first transistor  711  is thus turned on due to the ground voltage furnished to its gate terminal. Thereafter, the source voltage of the third transistor  713  is switching to a low voltage by the second inverter  735 . The gate voltage of the third transistor  713  having a ground voltage minus the source voltage of the third transistor  713  having a low voltage leaves the gate-source voltage drop of the third transistor  713 , which is now a minus voltage and will definitely turn off the third transistor  713 . Consequently, the external output signal VOUT  716  connected to the drain of the third transistor  713  cannot be pulled down to the low voltage. 
         [0102]    However, the gate-source voltage drop of the sixth transistor  723  is now approximately equal to the low voltage because of the low voltage at its gate terminal and the ground voltage at its source terminal, which means at the third contact point  732 , and the sixth transistor  723  is then turned on. The ground voltage at the fifth contact point  732  is thus coupled to the gate of the second transistor  712  through the sixth transistor  723  and turns on the second transistor  712 . Thereby, the second contact point  715  is electrically connected to the high supply voltage VCCH through the first transistor  711  and the second transistor  712 , and the external output signal VOUT  716  can be pulled up to the high voltage. The high voltage at the second contact point  715  is then coupled to the gate of the fifth transistor  722  and turns off the fifth transistor  722 . Again, the circuit operation process described above forms a robust self-consistent action. In summary, the voltage level shifter  700  is a robust circuit design having a high-speed and low-leakage performance. 
         [0103]    Please refer to  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 8  is a circuit diagram schematically illustrating a sixth preferred embodiment of a voltage level shifter  800  according to the present invention. The voltage level shifter  800  of the claimed invention comprises a first transistor  811 , a second transistor  812 , a third transistor  813 , a fourth transistor  821 , a fifth transistor  822 , a sixth transistor  823  having a low threshold voltage, a first inverter  831 , and a second inverter  835 . In addition, there is a reference voltage generator, not shown in the figure, for providing a high supply voltage VCCH and a low supply voltage VCCL. 
         [0104]    The structure of the voltage level shifter  800  is the same as that shown in  FIG. 7 , differing only in that the gates of the fourth transistor  821  and the sixth transistor  823  are coupled to the source of the third transistor  813 . 
         [0105]    The first inverter  831  functions to invert the external input signal VIN  833  to generate an internal input signal VX  834  at the fifth contact point  832 . That is, the internal input signal VX  834  is at a low voltage while the external input signal VIN  833  is at a ground voltage and the internal input signal VX  834  is at a ground voltage while the external input signal VIN  833  is at a low voltage. 
         [0106]    The second inverter  835  is utilized to invert the internal input signal VX  834  at the third contact point  832  to generate the output of the second inverter  835  electrically connected to the source of the third transistor  813 . That is, the source of the third transistor  813  is at a low voltage while the internal input signal VX  834  is at a ground voltage and the source of the third transistor  813  is at a ground voltage while the internal input signal VX  834  is at a low voltage 
         [0107]    With the aid of the second inverter  835 , the third transistor  813  in conjunction with the second transistor  812  and the first transistor  811  acts to perform an inverting process having different voltage swings between inputting and outputting. That is, the external output signal VOUT  816  is at a high voltage while the internal input signal VX  834  is at a ground voltage and the external output signal VOUT  816  is at a ground voltage while the internal input signal VX  834  is at a low voltage. 
         [0108]    When a ground voltage is applied to the external input signal VIN  833 , the ground voltage is then furnished to the input of the first inverter  831 . The internal input signal VX  834  at the fifth contact point  832  is switching to a low voltage by the first inverter  831 . The low voltage at the fifth contact point  832  is then furnished to the source of the sixth transistor  823 , the gate of the first transistor  811 , the gate of the third transistor  813 , and the input of the second inverter  835 . The first transistor  811  is thus turned off due to the low voltage furnished to its gate terminal. Thereafter, the source voltage of the third transistor  813  is switching to a ground voltage by the second inverter  835 . The ground voltage at the output of the second inverter  835  is also furnished to both the gate of the fourth transistor  821  and the gate of the sixth transistor  823 . The fourth transistor  821  is thus turned on due to the ground voltage furnished to its gate terminal. The voltage at the third contact point  824 , which means the source voltage of the fifth transistor  822 , is then pulled up to high supply voltage VCCH through fourth transistor  821 . The gate voltage of the third transistor  813  having a low voltage minus the source voltage of the third transistor  813  having a ground voltage leaves the gate-source voltage drop of the third transistor  813 , which is approximately equal to the low voltage and will turn on the third transistor  813 . 
         [0109]    Consequently, the external output signal VOUT  816  connected to the drain of the third transistor  813  is grounded through the third transistor  813  and is pulled down to the ground voltage. The external output signal VOUT  816  having a ground voltage is then coupled into the gate of the fifth transistor  822 . The gate voltage of the fifth transistor  822  having a ground voltage minus the source voltage of the fifth transistor  822  leaves the gate-source voltage drop of the fifth transistor  822 , which is a minus voltage and will turn on the fifth voltage  822 . The voltage at the fourth contact point  825  is now pulled up to the high voltage by the high supply voltage VCCH through the fourth transistor  821  and the fifth transistor  822 . The high voltage at the fourth contact point  825  is then coupled into the gate of the second transistor  812  and turns off the second transistor  812 . Therefore, both the first transistor  811  and the second transistor  812  are turned off under such situation. Accordingly, the external output signal VOUT  816  cannot be pulled up to the high voltage through the first transistor  811  and the second transistor  812 . The gate voltage of the sixth transistor  823  having a ground voltage minus the source voltage of the sixth transistor  823  having a low voltage leaves the gate-source voltage drop of the sixth transistor  823 , which is a minus voltage and will definitely turn off the sixth transistor  823  having a low threshold voltage. 
         [0110]    Accordingly, the power leakage pathway in the high-speed level shifter  200  of the prior art is also not likely to occur in the level shifter  800  of the claimed invention. As a result, the circuit operation process described above forms a robust self-consistent action capable of achieving a high-speed performance without any power leakage problem. 
         [0111]    When a low voltage is applied to the external input signal VIN  833 , the low voltage is then furnished to the input of the inverter  831 . The internal input signal VX  834  at the fifth contact point  832  is switching to a ground voltage by the first inverter  831 . The ground voltage at the fifth contact point  832  is then furnished to the source of the sixth transistor  823 , the gate of the first transistor  811 , the gate of the third transistor  813 , and the input of the second inverter  835 . The first transistor  811  is thus turned on due to the ground voltage furnished to its gate terminal. Thereafter, the source voltage of the third transistor  813  is switching to a low voltage by the second inverter  835 . The gate voltage of the third transistor  813  having a ground voltage minus the source voltage of the third transistor  813  having a low voltage leaves the gate-source voltage drop of the third transistor  813 , which is now a minus voltage and will definitely turn off the third transistor  813 . Consequently, the external output signal VOUT  816  connected to the drain of the third transistor  813  cannot be pulled down to the low voltage. 
         [0112]    However, the gate-source voltage drop of the sixth transistor  823  is now approximately equal to the low voltage because of the low voltage at its gate terminal and the ground voltage at its source terminal, which means at the third contact point  832 , and the sixth transistor  823  is then turned on. The ground voltage at the fifth contact point  832  is thus coupled to the gate of the second transistor  812  through the sixth transistor  823  and turns on the second transistor  812 . Thereby, the second contact point  815  is electrically connected to the high supply voltage VCCH through the first transistor  811  and the second transistor  812 , and the external output signal VOUT  816  can be pulled up to the high voltage. The high voltage at the second contact point  815  is then coupled to the gate of the fifth transistor  822  and turns off the fifth transistor  822 . Again, the circuit operation process described above forms a robust self-consistent action. In summary, the voltage level shifter  800  is a robust circuit design having a high-speed and low-leakage performance. 
         [0113]    As a result, based on a variety of the preferred embodiments described above, the voltage level shifter of the claimed invention provides a robust circuit design to advance the circuit performance for high-speed and low-leakage operation. 
         [0114]    Those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerous modifications and alterations of the device and method may be made while retaining the teachings of the invention. Accordingly, the above disclosure should be construed as limited only by the metes and bounds of the appended claims.