Patent ID: 8593204

Claim:
An amplitude conversion circuit converting a first signal into a second signal having a larger amplitude than that of said first signal, the circuit comprising: a first input terminal receiving said first signal; an output terminal for outputting said second signal; a first current drive element including at least one transistor charging said output terminal, the first current drive element connected between a first power supply terminal and said output terminal; a first transistor discharging said output terminal; and a drive circuit driving said first transistor in response to said first signal, wherein said drive circuit level-shifts the first signal by a level substantially equal to a threshold voltage of said first transistor, and supplies the level-shifted first signal to a first node to which a control electrode of said first transistor is connected, all transistors included in the amplitude conversion circuit are of the same conductivity type, and the amplitude conversion circuit further comprising a third current drive element connected between a fourth power supply terminal and said first node for compensating a leakage current at the first node.