Arm Limited

Mikael Rien

Jean-Claude Duby

Vijaya Kumar Vinukonda

Ranabir Dey

Fabrice Blanc

George McNeil Lattimore

Christopher Neal Hinds

Carl Wayne Vineyard

Robert John Harrison

Adeline-Fleur Fleming

Thierry Padilla

Damien Guyonnet

Abdellah Bakhali

Nidhir Kumar

Seshagiri Rao Bogi

Robert Christiaan Schouten

Flora Leymarie

Vikas Murli Kyatsandra

Jean-Charles Bolinhas

An apparatus is provided to enable power supply input to be isolated from power supply output. Power is received from a first power signal at a first of a plurality of charge stores. A second power signal is output from a second of the plurality of charge stores. The second power signal is isolated from the first power supply. The first charge store can be charged from the power input whilst isolated from the power output. The second charge store can be discharged to the power output, while isolated from the power input.

Efficient power distribution

An apparatus includes a power input, a power output, and a plurality of independent powering units each comprising at least one charge store. Each of the plurality of powering units is capable of receiving power from the power input while isolating the power output, and each of the plurality of powering units is capable of outputting power to the power output while isolating the power input.

The present invention provides a receiver circuit and method for receiving an input signal from a source voltage domain and converting the input signal into an output signal for a destination voltage domain. The source voltage domain operates from a supply voltage that exceeds a stressing threshold of components within the receiver circuitry, and the receiver circuitry is configured to operate from the supply voltage of the source voltage domain. The receiver circuitry comprises first internal signal generation circuitry configured to convert the input signal into a first internal signal in a first voltage range, and second internal signal generation circuitry configured to convert the input signal into a second internal signal in a second voltage range. Signal evaluation circuitry establishes a logic high voltage threshold and a logic low voltage threshold dependent on the supply voltage, and employs the first and second internal signals in order to detect based on the logic high voltage threshold and logic low voltage threshold when the input signal transitions between a logic low level and a logic high level (in either direction). Output generation circuitry then generates the output signal in dependence on the detection performed by the signal evaluation circuitry. The first voltage range and the second voltage range are such that the first internal signal and second internal signal will not exceed the stressing threshold of components in the signal evaluation circuitry. The receiver circuitry is able to reliably detect transitions in the input signal in situations where the supply voltage of the source voltage domain exceeds the stressing threshold of the receiver's components, but without overstress of the receiver's components.

Receiver circuitry and method for converting an input signal from a source voltage domain into an output signal for a destination voltage domain

Various implementations described herein are directed to a circuit for translating an input signal from a source voltage domain to an output signal for a destination voltage domain that is is different than the source voltage domain. The circuit may include a level shifting portion configured to operate with a supply voltage that exceeds a stressing threshold of one or more components within the circuit. The level shifting portion may be configured to generate the output signal for the destination voltage domain based on the input signal and a power management signal. The circuit may include an isolating portion configured to isolate the one or more components from the supply voltage during activation and deactivation of the circuit based on the power management signal.

Level shifter

A power supply clamp connectable between power rails of an electronic circuit comprises a switching component which is switchable to provide a connection path between the power rails of the electronic circuit; a first detector configured to detect an electrostatic discharge event having a first characteristic time period and to generate a detector output signal in response to the detection; a series of one or more successive intermediate amplification stages between the first detector and the switching component, the series of amplification stages providing a control signal path for a control signal to control switching of the switching component in response to the detector output signal; and a second detector configured to detect an electrostatic discharge event having a second characteristic time period, shorter than the first characteristic time period, the second detector being provided at a node in the control signal path subsequent to the first detector (for example, at a second or subsequent one of the series of intermediate amplification stages) so that a detection by the second detector causes the control signal to control switching of the switching component.

Power supply clamp

Various implementations described herein are directed to an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit may include signal generation circuitry that receives an input signal from a first voltage domain and generates multiple internal signals based on the input signal. The integrated circuit may include signal evaluation circuitry that receives the multiple internal signals from the signal generation circuitry and provides an intermediate signal based on the multiple internal signals. The integrated circuit may include signal conversion circuitry that receives the intermediate signal and provides an output signal for a second voltage domain based on the intermediate signal. The integrated circuit may include signal protection circuitry that receives the input signal from the first voltage domain, receives the intermediate signal from the signal evaluation circuitry, and allows the input signal until the intermediate signal transitions between a first state and a second state that is different than the first state.

Overdrive receiver circuitry

An integrated circuit is provided with interface circuitry used to provide an interface between functional circuitry of the integrated circuit and components external to the integrated circuit. The interface circuitry includes a plurality of interface cells having interface components configured to operate from a first power supply. Each interface cell incorporates a power supply line section extending across its width and configured to cooperate with power supply line sections of other interface cells to provide a power supply line structure shared by the plurality of interface cells, for provision of the first power supply to the interface components. Each power supply line section includes a first supply line portion and a second supply line portion, the first supply line portion being sized to support a current carrying constraint of the interface circuitry, while the second supply line portion is sized insufficiently to support that current carrying constraint. Instead, each interface cell is arranged within the interface circuitry such that the second supply line portion is connected to a current carrying structure external to that interface cell, such that the second supply line portion in combination with the connected current carrying structure is sized sufficiently to support the current carrying constraint. Such an approach enables a reduction in the area required for the power supply line structure, hence enabling a reduction in the size of the interface circuitry, and accordingly a corresponding reduction in the required size of the integrated circuit.

Integrated circuit with interface circuitry, and an interface cell for such interface circuitry

Various implementations described herein are directed to circuit. The circuit may include a first input stage having first devices and a first path for slow slew input detection. The circuit may include a second input stage having second devices and a second path for fast slew input detection. The circuit may include a separation stage that couples the second input stage to the first input stage during a first mode of operation so as to reduce power consumption of the circuit during slow slew input detection.

General purpose receiver

Output signal generation circuitrymay be used for converting an input signalfrom a source voltage domain to an output signal for a destination voltage domain, the destination voltage domain operating from a supply voltage that exceeds a stressing threshold of components within the output signal generation circuitry. The output signal generation circuitry may comprise level shifting circuitryoperating from the supply voltage, which is configured to generate at an output nodethe output signal for the destination voltage domain in dependence on the input signal. The output signal generation circuitry may also comprise tracking circuitryA,B,C,D associated with at least one component of the level shifting circuitry to ensure that a voltage drop across the at least one component does not exceed the stressing threshold, wherein the tracking circuitry additionally introduces a delay in a change in the output signal in response to a change in the input signal. Timing compensation circuitryA,B may also be provided, to control the voltage on the output node in a manner to compensate for the delay introduced by the tracking circuitry.

Output signal generation circuitry for converting an input signal from a source voltage domain into an output signal for a destination voltage domain

An integrated circuit is provided with interface circuitry used to provide an interface between functional circuitry of the integrated circuit and components external to the integrated circuit. The functional circuitry is configured to operate from a first power supply and has a power supply distribution network associated therewith providing the first power supply to the functional components of the functional circuitry. The interface comprises a plurality of interface cells that have interface components operating from a second power supply different to the first power supply. A power supply line structure is shared by the plurality of interface cells, and arranged to provide the second power supply to the interface components. In addition, at least a subset of the interface cells include additional interface components that operate from the first power supply. Each such interface cell is arranged to have independent connection to the power supply distribution network in order to receive the first power supply. This avoids the need to incorporate any lines within the power supply line structure for provision of the first power supply to such additional interface components.

Circuitry comprises a high voltage rail providing a high voltage level corresponding to a higher voltage domain, an intermediate voltage source, a low voltage rail, and devices that operate in a lower voltage domain. First devices in an upper voltage region are powered between the high voltage rail and an intermediate voltage rail powered by the intermediate source. Second devices in a lower voltage region are powered between the intermediate and low rails. On power up, the intermediate source is powered before the high voltage rail. An isolating circuit connects the intermediate source to a node when the high voltage rail is powered and isolates the node from the intermediate source when the high voltage rail is not powered to impede current flow from the intermediate source to the high voltage rail.

Protecting lower voltage domain devices during operation in a higher voltage domain

Level shifting circuitry comprises a first level shifter and a second level shifter. In response to a falling edge transition of an input signal, the first level shifter generates a primary transition of a first intermediate signal faster than the second level shifter generates a secondary transition of a second intermediate signal. In response to a rising edge of the input signal, the second level shifter generates a primary transition of the second intermediate signal faster than the first level shifter generates a secondary transition of the first intermediate signal. Output switching circuitry is provided to switch an output signal between an output high voltage level and an output low voltage level in response to the primary transition of the first intermediate signal and the primary transition of the second intermediate signal.

Level shifting circuitry

Circuitry, operating in a high voltage domain, including a high and low voltage inputs, and including a plurality of devices designed to operate optimally powered in a native voltage domain that is lower voltage than said high voltage domain and some devices arranged in two sets. The circuitry including a further input for receiving the high native voltage level. Each set having at least one device, a first set being arranged to receive an intermediate low reference voltage level as a low voltage level signal and the high voltage level as a high voltage level signal and the second set being arranged to receive the high native voltage level as a high voltage level signal and the low voltage level as a low voltage level signal. The intermediate low reference voltage level includes a voltage level generated by subtracting the high native voltage level from the high voltage level.

Digital data handling in a circuit powered in a high voltage domain and formed from devices designed for operation in a lower voltage domain

A cascoded input-output device is provided configured to receive at an input node a lower voltage input signal and to generate at an output node a higher voltage output signal. The input-output device is split into two voltage domains to enable output signals in a larger range to be generated, while the components of the input-output device individually operate in a smaller range. By applying a selected bias voltage to a protected node of the cascoded input-output device, first changing that selected bias voltage in response to a transition of the input signal and then switching that selected bias voltage back when the output signal reaches a predetermined level, that node is protected, either avoiding stress-inducing voltage swings or providing a switching speed increasing charge boost.

Growing community of inventors

Grenoble, France

Mikael Rien