Voltage level shift system and method

Abstract

A voltage level shift system transitions a voltage signal between two components and includes a first inverter, a signal pass subsystem, a pull-up transistor, a second inverter, and a third inverter. The first inverter is coupled to the signal pass subsystem. The signal pass subsystem is coupled to the pull-up transistor, the second inverter, and the third inverter. The signal pass subsystem includes a first passgate and a second passgate. When an input voltage transitions from a logic low to a logic high, the first inverter inverts the logic high input signal to a logic low and passes this signal through the passgate subsystem. The second inverter receives the logic low signal and immediately inverts it to transition the output signal from a low logic to a logic high. The logic high output signal, turns off the pull-up transistor. When the input signal transitions from a logic high to a logic low, the first inverter receives the signal and generates a logic low signal that passes through the passgate subsystem. The second inverter receives the logic low signal and immediately inverts it to transition the output signal from a logic high to a logic low. The logic low signal places the pull-up transistor in an on state to turn off the p-device in the circuit. A method for transitioning a voltage signal between two components is also disclosed.