The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 17, 2013
Filed:
Dec. 21, 2011
Xiaobao Wang, Cupertino, CA (US);
Chiakang Sung, Milpitas, CA (US);
Khai Nguyen, San Jose, CA (US);
Bonnie I. Wang, Cupertino, CA (US);
Xiaobao Wang, Cupertino, CA (US);
Chiakang Sung, Milpitas, CA (US);
Khai Nguyen, San Jose, CA (US);
Bonnie I. Wang, Cupertino, CA (US);
Altera Corporation, San Jose, CA (US);
Abstract
Circuits and techniques for operating an integrated circuit (IC) with a level shifter circuit are disclosed. A level shifter circuit with input and output terminals is operable to shift an input signal that ranges from a ground voltage to a first positive voltage to an output signal that ranges from the ground voltage to a second positive voltage. The level shifter circuit further includes a first kicker transistor having a first source-drain terminal operable to receive a buffered version of the input signal and having a second source-drain terminal coupled to the output terminal. The first kicker transistor may receive gate signals that turn on the first kicker transistor when the input signal is at the ground voltage and may pull the output terminal to the first positive voltage as the input signal transitions from the ground voltage to the first positive voltage.