Abstract: A bi-directional voltage translator (125) has a first port (201) that communicates a signal at a first voltage level, and second port (202) that communicates a signal at a second voltage level different from the first voltage level. A switching circuit, including a bipolar junction transistor (210) and a switch (220), couples both ports (201, 202). The transistor (210) has a collector (211) coupled, via a pull-up circuit (206), to a voltage source corresponding to the first voltage level, and to the first port (201), and an emitter (212) coupled to the second port. The base (213) of the transistor (210) is coupled, via a pull-up circuit (207), to a voltage source corresponding to the second voltage level. Preferably, the switch (220) is Schottky diode or other diode having a forward voltage drop.