Abstract:
A level shifter does not require any DC (standby) current consumption and has a fast operation with low propagation delay. The level shifting from input to output voltage ranges is performed by a pair of level shifting capacitors. The input-output power voltages domains are unrestricted and flexible. DC isolation is deployed between power domains. Symmetrical rise/fall times are without duty cycle distortion. Over voltage stress is reduced by using metal capacitors. Finally the level shifter does not use high-voltage devices for level shifting purpose. Embodiments of level shifters provide one-way level shifting and bi-directional level shifting.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present document relates to electronic circuits. In particular, the present document relates to dynamic level shifter circuits utilizing coupling capacitances and cross coupled latches. 
     2. Background 
     It is common that some power management systems use independent power voltage domains. Voltages in such power domains may not be related to each other and careful level shifting strategy is required. Level shifters are converting an input signal e.g. from a first operating voltage range having a first ground potential and a first supply potential into an output signal out in a second operating voltage range having a second ground potential and a second supply potential. For example input VDD (regulated to 5V) can be regulated by an LDO that is supplied (connected) to Vpwr voltage. And Vpwr can be directly connected to the unregulated battery voltage (one/two/three cell battery voltages) for example with specification of 4.2-12.6V if connected together. VSS 2  can be also regulated, for example (Vpwr-5V). During operation as battery voltage (Vpwr) decay VSS 2  can approach regulated VDD or it can be below VDD if VDD is supplied externally. Conventional level shifters may stop operation under such conditions. 
     It is a challenge for the designers of level shifters to overcome the drawbacks cited above. 
     SUMMARY 
     A principal object of the present disclosure is to design a dynamic level shifter having no DC (standby) consumption. 
     A further object of the disclosure is to achieve fast operation with low propagation delay. 
     A further object of the disclosure is to achieve unrestricted (flexible) input-output power voltages domains 
     A further object of the disclosure is to achieve DC isolation between power domains. 
     A further object of the disclosure is to achieve symmetrical rise/fall times without signal or duty cycle distortions. 
     Furthermore an object of the disclosure is to reduce over-voltage stress by deploying metal-insulator-metal capacitors or any other suitable capacitor type. 
     Furthermore an object of the disclosure is to avoid using high-voltage (HV) devices for level shifting purpose. 
     Furthermore an object of the disclosure is to deploy level shifting capacitors and cross-coupled latches. 
     Furthermore an object of the disclosure is to reduce over-voltage stress by deploying metal-insulator-metal capacitors or any other suitable capacitor type. 
     Furthermore an object of the disclosure is to avoid using high-voltage (HV) devices for level shifting purpose. 
     Moreover an object of the invention is to continue operation of the level shifter when input and output voltage domains do not relate to each other. 
     In accordance with the objects of this disclosure a circuit capable of dynamic bi-directional level shifting has been achieved. The circuit disclosed firstly comprises: A circuit capable of dynamic bi-directional level shifting, comprising: two power domains, wherein each power domain is capable of receiving input signals, which are outputted by the other power domain, or providing output signals, which are inputted by the other power domain, comprising: two ports for a supply voltage, wherein the supply voltages of each power domain may be different, ports for signal inputs, and ports for signal outputs. Furthermore each power domain comprises a circuitry capable of holding a state of a last transition of a signal, wherein each circuitry is connected to the ports of its power domain and a first terminal of the circuitry is connected to a first capacitor and a second terminal of the circuitry is connected to a second capacitor. Moreover the circuit comprises said first capacitor configured to decoupling said first terminals of said circuitries and said second capacitor configured to decoupling said second terminals of said circuitries. It should be noted that the input and output signals of both power domains are configured to switch between an upper and a lower level of the supply voltage of the respective power domain. 
     In accordance with the objects of this disclosure a circuit capable of dynamic bi-directional level shifting has been achieved. The circuit disclosed firstly comprises: a first power domain comprising two ports for a first supply voltage configured to supplying the first power domain, a first port for signal input, wherein the port is connected to an input terminal of a first inverter, a second port for signal input wherein the port is connected to an input terminal of a second inverter, a first port for signal output wherein the port is connected to an output terminal of a third inverter, and a second port for signal output wherein the port is connected to an output terminal of a fourth inverter. Furthermore the first power domain comprises said first inverter, capable of buffering input signals from the first port for signal input, wherein the inverter is configured to be enabled by an enable signal if input signals are applied to the first port for signal input, said second inverter, capable of buffering input signals from the second port for signal input, wherein the inverter is configured to be enabled by an enable signal if input signals are applied to the second port for signal input, said third inverter, capable of buffering output signals to the first port for signal output, wherein the inverter is configured to be enabled by an enable signal if input signals are applied to a third port for signal input, said fourth inverter, capable of buffering output signals to the second port for signal output, wherein the inverter is configured to be enabled by an enable signal if input signals are applied to a fourth port for signal input, and a latch capable of holding a state of a last transition of a signal, wherein a first terminal of the latch is connected to a first terminal of a first capacitor, to an output terminal of said first inverter, and to an input terminal of the third inverter and wherein a second terminal of the latch is connected to a first terminal of a second capacitor, to an output terminal of said second inverter, and to an input terminal of the third inverter. Furthermore the circuit comprises a second power domain comprising two ports for a second supply voltage configured to supplying the second power domain, a third port for signal input, wherein the port is connected to an input terminal of a fifth inverter, a fourth port for signal input wherein the port is connected to an input terminal of a sixth inverter, a third port for signal output wherein the port is connected to an output terminal of a seventh inverter, a fourth port for signal output wherein the port is connected to an output terminal of an eighth inverter. Furthermore the second power domain comprises said fifth inverter, capable of buffering input signals from the third port for signal input, wherein the inverter is configured to be enabled by an enable signal if input signals are applied to the third port for signal input, said sixth inverter, capable of buffering input signals from the fourth port for signal input, wherein the inverter is configured to be enabled by an enable signal if input signals are applied to the third port for signal input, said seventh inverter, capable of buffering output signals to the third port for signal output, wherein the inverter is configured to be enabled by an enable signal if input signals are applied to the first port for signal input, said eighth inverter, capable of buffering output signals to the fourth port for signal output, wherein the inverter is configured to be enabled by an enable signal if input signals are applied to the second port for signal input, and a latch capable of holding a state of a last transition of a signal, wherein a first terminal of the latch is connected to a second terminal of the first capacitor, to an output terminal of said fifth inverter, and to an input terminal of the seventh inverter and wherein a second terminal of the latch is connected to a second terminal of the second capacitor, to an output terminal of said sixth inverter, and to an input terminal of the eighth inverter. More over the circuit comprises said first and second capacitor. 
     In accordance with the objects of this disclosure a method for dynamic bi-directional level shifting has been achieved. The method disclosed comprises the steps of: (1) providing a first and a second power domain, wherein each power domain comprises ports for an own supply voltage, and signal input and output ports, signal buffering inverters connected to their correspondent input or output ports and operating in the specific power supply domain and a latch capable of holding a state of a last transition of a signal, wherein both power domains are connected by two level shifting capacitors, wherein each capacitor connects correspondent terminals of the both latches, wherein input and output signals of the first power domain are referenced by a range of the supply voltage of the first power domain and wherein input and output signals of the second power domain are referenced by a range of the supply voltage of the second power domain, and (2) disabling inverters of the power domain receiving input signals, which are connected to output ports and inverters of the power domain providing output signals, which are connected to input ports, and enabling inverters of the power domain receiving input signals, which are connected to input ports and inverters of the power domain providing output signals, which are connected to output ports. Furthermore the method disclosed comprises the steps of (3) shifting alternately each signal level shifting capacitor by each edge of the input signal of the power domain receiving input signals from the upper voltage level to a lower voltage level or from a lower voltage level to the upper voltage of the power domain providing input and (4) providing the level shifted signal to the power domain providing the output signals wherein the inverters of the power domain providing output switch either to the upper or to the lower voltage level of their supply range and the latch of the power domain providing output signals holds a state of the signal until a next transition of a signal. 
     In accordance with the objects of this disclosure a circuit capable of dynamic one-directional level shifting has been achieved. The circuit disclosed firstly comprises an input power domain capable of receiving input signals comprising: two ports for a first supply voltage configured to supplying the input power domain, a port for input signals, wherein the signal input port is connected to a buffering means, said buffering means capable of buffering input signals, wherein a first buffering means is connected to a first terminal of an input memory element and a second buffering means is connected to a second terminal of the input memory element, wherein both buffering means are connected in series, and said input memory element capable of holding a state of a last transition of an input signal, wherein the first terminal of the input memory element is connected to a first capacitor and the second terminal of the input memory element is connected to a second capacitor, wherein the input signals of the input power domain are configured to switch between an upper and a lower level of the supply voltage of the input power domain. Secondly the circuit comprises an output power domain capable of receiving input signals comprising: two ports for a second supply voltage configured to supplying the output power domain, two ports for output signals, wherein each of the output signal port is connected to an own buffering means, said buffering means capable of buffering output signals, wherein a buffering means of a first output port is connected to a first terminal of an output memory element and a second buffering means is connected to a second terminal of the output memory element wherein both buffering means are connected in series, and said output memory element capable of holding a state of a last transition of an output signal, wherein the first terminal of the output memory element is connected to the first capacitor and the second terminal of the memory element is connected to the second capacitor, wherein the output signals of the output power domain are configured to switch between an upper and a lower level of the supply voltage of the output power domain. Furthermore the circuit comprises said first capacitor configured to decoupling said first terminals of the input and output memory elements, and said second capacitor configured to decoupling said second terminals of the input and output memory elements. 
    
    
     
       SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The invention is explained below in an exemplary manner with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a simplified circuit diagram of a dynamic level shifter of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  shows simulation results of the level shifter showing input and output signals for full scale PWM modulated input ramp and level shifter reset signals 
         FIG. 3  depicts simulation results of the level shifter showing input and output signals for full scale PWM modulated input ramp and signals on bottom and top plate of the level shifting capacitors 
         FIG. 4  illustrates simulation results of the level shifter showing transient response time between input and output signals and signals on bottom and top plate of the level shifting capacitors. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates simulation results of the level shifter showing input and output signals for ramping down/up Vpwr from 12-5V-12V (VSS 2 =Vpwr-5V). 
         FIG. 6  shows a more general schematic diagram of the preferred embodiment 
         FIG. 7  depicts a general schematic diagram of bidirectional level-shifter. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a flowchart of a method to achieve a dynamic level shifter utilizing level shifting capacitors. 
         FIG. 9  depicts a flowchart of a method to achieve a dynamic level shifter utilizing level shifting capacitors. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a simplified circuit diagram of a dynamic level shifter disclosed performing reverse operation of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a simplified circuit diagram of a one-way dynamic level shifter disclosed having latches at the input terminal and at the output terminals of the level-shifting capacitors. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Level shifting circuits and methods are disclosed. Preferred embodiments described in detail comprise level shifters applied in high voltage power systems. 
     It should be noted that the application of these level shifters is not limited to high voltage power systems. Presented level shifting method and apparatus can be used also in deep sub-micron technologies to provide effective level-shifting between power domains or any other system requiring level shifting. 
     A dynamic level shifter  10  disclosed is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Level shifting is achieved by charging and discharging level shifting capacitors C 1  and C 2  between input VDD and GND terminals. Capacitors C 1  and C 2  are charged by the input signal buffers/inverters  1  and  2 . Input signal IN is a signal referenced to VDD and GND levels. The output signals OUT and OUTB are referenced to Vpwr and VSS 2  power domain. The first terminals of the level shifting capacitors C 1  and C 2  are connected to the input signals via buffers/inverters  1  and  2 . The second terminals of the level shifting capacitors C 1  and C 2  are connected to the latch  5  formed by the cross coupled P 1 , P 2  and N 1 , N 2  devices. It has to be understood that the type of latch  5  shown in  FIG. 1  is an example only. Other types of latches, e.g. the type of latch shown in  FIG. 6 , could be used as well. Latch P 1 , P 2  and N 1 , N 2  is required to have reset, it is not shown in circuit diagram of  FIG. 1  for simplicity. Outputs of the latch are buffered through inverters  3  and  4  in the Vpwr/VSS 2  domain.  FIG. 8  shows a similar level shifter is shown for reverse operation from VPwr/VSS 2  to VDD/GND. 
     The main function of the latch is to hold output state of the last transition of the input signal. The input signal is coupled to the latch and once input transitions from one state (for example from 0 to 1) this state will be coupled to the output latch and the latch will hold and not change this state until next transition of the input signal. 
     To avoid voltage overstress on any of the active devices levels shifting capacitors C 1  and C 2  may be implemented for example by metal capacitors or any other appropriate types of capacitor that can withstand overstress voltage (i.e. Vpwr). 
     It should be noted that in case of a decay of the Vpwr/VSS 2  voltage, e.g. caused by a decay of a battery voltage, the proposed dynamic level shifter is able to continue operation even in case VSS 2  voltage approaches VDD voltage or falls below VDD as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
     A more general schematic of the proposed level shifter method is shown in  FIG. 6 . In the level-shifter  6  of  FIG. 6  a latch formed by the cross-coupled P 1 , P 2  and N 1 , N 2  devices from  FIG. 1  is replaced by a more general representation of latch  64  comprising two inverters O_INV1  60  and O_INV2  61 . This schematic shows a more general description of the proposed circuit. The input power domain VDD/GND  62  and the output power domain Vpwr/VSS 2   63  are indicated by dotted lines and power supplies are omitted for clarity. The latch shown in  FIG. 1  has been implemented in  FIG. 6  by two inverters. Functionality has been also confirmed by simulation. Similar implementation can be shown for a reverse level shifter as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     A second embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIG. 10 .  FIG. 10  illustrates a simplified circuit diagram of a dynamic level shifter disclosed performing reverse operation of the present disclosure. While in the circuit shown in  FIG. 1  the input signal IN ranges between VDD and Ground voltage levels ranges the input signal IN of the circuit of  FIG. 10  between Vpwr and VSS 2  voltage levels. Accordingly range the output signals of the circuit of  FIG. 10  between VDD and GND. The components of the circuit of  FIG. 10 , i.e. inverters  1 - 4 , capacitors C 1  and C 2 , and the latch  5  are deployed the same way as in the circuit of  FIG. 1 . 
     Another application of the present disclosure is a bidirectional level-shifter  7  as shown in  FIG. 7 . Bidirectional input/output (I/O) Level-shifter can be configured to level shift signals between two power domains. 
     Inverters  701  and  78  are each connected to a corresponding signal input port of the power domain VDD/GND. Furthermore the power domain VDD/GND comprises a memory element, as e.g. a latch  705  comprising two converters  70  and  71 , connected to level shifting capacitors C 1  and C 2 . Outputs of the latch are buffered through inverters  700  and  79  in the VDD/GND domain Inverters  700  and  79  are each connected to a corresponding signal output port of the power domain VDD/GND. 
     The Vpwr/VSS 2  power domain has a symmetrical structure to the VDD/GND power domain but it is supplied by Vpwr and VSS 2  voltage. The power domain Vpwr/VSS 2  also comprises a memory element, as e.g. a latch  704  comprising two converters  72  and  73 , connected to, in regard of VDD/GND power domain, opposite terminals of the level shifting capacitors C 1  and C 2 . 
     An enable signal EN signal is used to change direction of level shifting. In one direction the EN signal enables inverters  75 ,  76 ,  78 , and  701  and the inverted EN signal disables inverters  74 ,  77 ,  79 , and  700 , in the other direction the inverted EN signal enables vice versa inverters  74 ,  77 ,  79 , and  700  and disables correspondently inverters  75 ,  76 ,  78 , and  701 . The VDD/GND  702  power domain and the Vpwr/VSS 2   703  power domain are shown. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a simplified circuit diagram of a one-way dynamic level shifter disclosed having latches at the input terminal and at the output terminals of the level-shifting capacitors. The level shifter  700  comprises an input power domain  720  and an output power domain  730 . The power supplies of both power domains  720  and  730 , corresponding to the power supplies shown in  FIG. 1 , are not shown in  FIG. 11  in order to avoid unnecessary complexity of the drawing. 
     The level shifter  700  of  FIG. 11  comprises an input port IN connected to the input buffering/inverting means  712 , which is connected to a memory element  710 . In a preferred embodiment of the disclosure the memory element  710  is carried out by a latch  710 , and buffering/inverting means  712  is been carried out by two inverters connected in series, wherein the output of a first inverter is connected to a first terminal the latch  710  and to the input terminal of the first level shifting capacitor C 1  and the output of the second inverter is connected to a second terminal of the latch  710  and to the input terminal of the second level shifting capacitor C 2 . 
     The output terminal of the first level shifting capacitor C 1  is connected to a first terminal of the memory element  711  and to an input of the output buffering means  713  of a first output branch of the level shifter  700 . The output terminal of the second level shifting capacitor C 2  is connected to a first terminal of the memory element  711  and to an input of the output buffering means  714  of a second output branch of the level shifter  700 . In a preferred embodiment of the disclosure the memory element  711  is carried out by a latch  711 , and the buffering/inverting means  713 / 714  are been carried out by two inverters connected in series. 
       FIG. 2  shows simulation results of the level shifter  10  showing input and output signals for full scale PWM modulated input ramp and level shifter reset signals. Diagram  20  shows input signals ranging from 0-5 Volts, diagram  21  shows output signals ranging from 7-12 Volts. 
       FIG. 3  depicts simulation results of the level shifter  10  showing input and output signals for full scale PWM modulated input ramp and signals on bottom and top plate of the level shifting capacitors. Diagram  30  shows input signals ranging from 0-5 Volts, diagram  31  shows output signals ranging from 7-12 Volts. Diagram  32  shows the signals on the bottom plate of capacitor C 1 , ranging from 0-5 Volts, diagram  34  shows the signals on the bottom plate of capacitor C 2 , ranging also from 0-5 Volts, diagram  33  shows the signals on the top plate of capacitor C 1 , ranging from 7-12 Volts, and diagram  35  shows the signals on the top plate of capacitor C 2 , ranging from 7-12 Volts. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates simulation results of the level shifter  10  showing transient response time between input and output signals and signals on bottom and top plate of the level shifting capacitors. Diagram  40  shows input signals ranging from 0-5 Volts, diagram  41  shows output signals ranging from 7-12 Volts. 
     Comparing diagrams  40  and diagram  41  at points of the rising edges of the input and output pulses indicated show a transient time of 696.235 picosecs while the voltage rises from 2.600V to 6.623 V. Furthermore comparing diagrams  40  and diagram  41  at points of the falling edges of the input and output pulses indicated show a transient time of 698.235 picosecs while the voltage falls from maximum 11.5 V to 6.8077 V. This means the output pulse follows the falling edge of the input pulse with a delay of about &lt;1 nsec. 
     Diagram  42  shows the signals on the bottom plate of capacitor C 1 , ranging from 0-5 Volts, diagram  44  shows the signals on the bottom plate of capacitor C 2 , ranging also from 0-5 Volts, diagram  43  shows the signals on the top plate of capacitor C 1 , ranging from 7-12 Volts, and diagram  45  shows the signals on the top plate of capacitor C 2 , ranging from 7-12 Volts. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates simulation results of the level shifter showing input and output signals for ramping down/up Vpwr from 12 to 5V and back to 12V, wherein VSS 2 =Vpwr-5V. Diagram  50  shows the input signals ranging from 0-5 Volts, diagram  51  shows the output signals ramping down and up again accordingly to the ramping of Vpwr. This time chart shows clearly the circuit disclosed allows variations of VSS 2  even below VDD voltage. 
       FIG. 5  clearly demonstrates a major advantage of the dynamic level shifter. The input signal in the VDD domain is switching between VDD=5V and GND=0V. The power domain ranges from Vpwr=12V to VSS 2 =Vpwr-5.5V=6.5V (5.5V is to be different from 5V of VDD). The Vpwr is being ramped down from 20 μsec to about 120 μsec. It was held low at 5V same as VDD for another 30 μsec and it started to ramp up from 150 μsec to 250 μsec to original value of 12V. VSS 2  in this example has been always constant Vpwr-5.5V except from 120 μsec to 150 μsec where VSS 2  was held to ground. 
     This example and all examples describe using positive VDD and Vpwr values. It has to be noted that that the same principle of the present disclosure can be used successfully if signals Vpwr and VDD are negative. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a flowchart of a method to achieve a dynamic level shifter utilizing level shifting capacitors. A first step  80  describes provision of a dynamic level shifter comprising a first power domain receiving a first signal referenced to a first voltage range between a first upper voltage level and a first lower level, a first and a second level shifting capacitor, and a second power domain providing a second signal referenced to a second voltage range between a second upper voltage level and a second lower voltage level. Step  81  shows shifting on a first edge of the input signal a voltage level of a top plate of the first level shifting capacitor from the second lower voltage level to the second upper voltage level and shifting the same time on the first edge of the input signal a voltage level of a top plate of the second level shifting capacitor from the second upper voltage level to the second lower voltage level and shifting on a second edge of the input signal a voltage level of the top plate of the second level shifting capacitor from the second lower voltage level to the second upper voltage level and shifting the same time on a second edge of the input signal a voltage level of the top plate of the first level shifting capacitor from the second upper voltage level to the second lower voltage level and continue by alternately shifting each capacitor high and low with each input signal edge. Step  82  shows providing the level shifted output signal to an output port of the second power domain. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a flowchart of a method to achieve a bi-directional dynamic level shifter utilizing level shifting capacitors. A first step  90  describes provision of a dynamic level shifter comprising a first power domain and second power domain, each power domain is configured to receiving an input signal or providing an output signal, wherein the input or output signals of the first power domain are referenced to a first voltage range between a first upper voltage level and a first lower level and the signals of the second power domain are referenced to a second voltage range between a second upper voltage level and a second lower level, wherein both power domains are connected by a first level shifting capacitor and a second level shifting capacitor. Step  91  shows shifting alternately each level shifting capacitor with each edge of the input signal from the upper voltage level to a lower voltage level or from a lower voltage level to the upper voltage of the output power domain. Step  92  shows providing the level shifted output signal to an output port to the output power domain.