Ami Semiconductor, Inc.

Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC

Joseph J Walsh

Greg Scott

Charles A Edmondson

Stan Latimer

A level-shifter circuit capable of operating at low voltages. Two complementary current paths are provided between each of two intermediate nodes (at least one of which being an output node) and one of the supply voltages. A network of field-effect transistors are coupled between the other voltage supply and the intermediate nodes. The transistors include a pull-up (or pull-down as the case may be) transistor pair coupled to the high (or low as the case may be) voltage supply. There are two cascode transistor pairs coupled between the pull-up (or down) transistors and the corresponding intermediate node. One cascode pair couples the respective intermediate node to the drain terminal of the respective pull-up (or down) transistor. The other cascoded pair cross-couples the intermediate node to the gate terminal of the opposite pull-up (or down) transistor.

Level shifting using cross-coupled cascode transistors

A closed loop DC-to-DC converter circuit that includes an open loop DC-to-DC converter circuit configured to provide charge on its output terminal. A voltage-controlled inverse-resistance component is coupled to the output terminal of the open loop DC-to-DC converter circuit, such that the greater the voltage differential across the component, the lower the resistance provided by the component. A feedback system provides a signal to a control terminal of the open-loop DC-to-DC converter circuit that is dependent on the current provided through the voltage-controlled inverse-resistance component. Specifically, the signal provided by the feedback system causes the open loop DC-to-DC converter circuit to generate more current on the output terminal when there is less current passing through the voltage-controlled inverse-resistance component, and less or no current on the output terminal when there is more current passing through the voltage-controlled inverse-resistance component.

Closed loop direct current to direct current converter that does not require voltage reference

A dual differential-input operational amplifier that includes six PMOSFETs having their source terminals coupled to a high voltage. A seventh and eighth PMOSFET have their source terminals coupled to a current source. Four NMOSFETs have their source terminals coupled to a low voltage. A fifth and sixth NMOSFET have their source terminals coupled to a current sink. The various PMOSFETs and NMOSFETs are coupled together such that the gate terminals of the fifth NMOSFET and eighth PMOSFET receive a first input of the differential input, and such that the gate terminals of the sixth NMOSFET and the seventh PMOSFET receive a second input of the differential input. The operational amplifier may be vertically inverted, or implemented by bipolar transistors, with cascoding devices, and with a second stage in the form of an inverter.

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Pocatello, ID, United States of America

Joseph J Walsh