Patent ID: 8686783

Claim:
A level shifter, comprising: a common-base amplifier, comprising a first bipolar-junction transistor having a base coupled to a first predetermined voltage, an emitter receiving an input signal and a collector coupled to a first voltage source; and a current amplifier, having voltage supplied by the first voltage source, having an input end coupled to the collector of the first bipolar-junction transistor and an output end for outputting a gate driving signal, wherein, the first predetermined voltage is generated with voltage supplied by the first voltage source, and the input signal is generated with voltage supplied by a second voltage source; and the second voltage source is a low voltage source compared to the first voltage source, wherein the current amplifier comprises a first emitter follower, the first emitter follower comprising a second bipolar-junction transistor having a collector coupled to the first voltage source, a base coupled to the collector of the first bipolar-junction transistor and an emitter for outputting the gate driving signal, and wherein the current amplifier further comprises a second emitter follower, the second emitter follower comprising a third bipolar-junction transistor having a base coupled to the collector of the first bipolar-junction transistor, a collector coupled to ground and an emitter for outputting the gate driving signal.