Patent ID: 8405442

Claim:
An integrated circuit comprising: a level shifter configured to receive a first voltage signal that swings between a first voltage level and a second voltage level and output a second voltage signal that swings between the first voltage level and a third voltage level, wherein the third voltage level is higher than the second voltage level; and an inverter coupled with the level shifter, the inverter being configured to receive the second voltage signal and output a third voltage signal that swings between the third voltage level and a fourth voltage level, wherein the fourth voltage level is lower than the third voltage level and higher than the first voltage level, wherein the level shifter comprises a first transistor of a first type coupled between a first power supply node and an output node of the level shifter, the first power supply node is coupled with the third voltage level, and a gate of the first transistor of the first type is configured to receive a fourth voltage signal that swings between the third voltage level and the fourth voltage level.