Supply Voltage Level Shifting (i.e., Interface Between Devices Of A Same Logic Family With Different Operating Voltage Levels) Patents (Class 326/80)
  • Patent number: 9780790
    Abstract: A r a level shifter circuit includes a first p-channel kick transistor connected directly across a first cross-coupled p-channel transistor, a second p-channel kick transistor connected directly across a second cross-coupled p-channel transistor, a first gate drive circuit coupled to the gate of the first p-channel kick transistor and configured to turn on first p-channel kick transistor to pull up the first output node in response to a rising edge of a signal at the input node, and a second gate drive circuit coupled to the gate of the second p-channel kick transistor and configured to turn on second p-channel kick transistor to pull up the second output node in response to a falling edge of a signal at the input node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: MICROSEMI SOC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Krishna Chaitanya Potluri
  • Patent number: 9755642
    Abstract: In view of the foregoing, an embodiment herein provides a low cost system. The system includes a bipolar array, a CMOS chip. The bipolar array includes one or more bipolar integrated circuits. The CMOS chip is programmed by a single level of metal. The bipolar array and the CMOS chip is mounted on a substrate using TAB polyamide. The TAB includes a polyamide film with one or more metal patterns chemically etched by programming three metal layers simultaneously to obtain one or more components. The one or more components are mounted in a package, and a small system can be realized. An external capacitor supplies an ac power source to the bipolar array. The bipolar array produces a rectified voltage and a lower voltage power for the enhanced gate array. An output of the enhanced gate array drives bipolar drivers of DC motor, stepper motor, BLDC motor, and LED assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Inventor: Shivaling Shrishail Mahant Shetti
  • Patent number: 9748958
    Abstract: A driver circuit and associated techniques include managing voltage driving an electronic device. An input signal having a first voltage level is received. Processes may perform level shifting of the first voltage level to a second voltage level. The second voltage level may be clamped, for instance, but a diode circuit. The second output voltage level may be programmable, as may be current and resistance levels of the driver circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gregory J. Fredeman, Abraham Mathews, Donald W. Plass, Kenneth J. Reyer
  • Patent number: 9710006
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device can include at least a first body bias circuit configured to generate a first body bias voltage different from power supply voltages of the IC device; at least a first bias control circuit configured to set a first body bias node to a first power supply voltage, and subsequently enabling the first body bias node to be set to the first body bias voltage; and a plurality of first transistors having bodies connected to the first body bias node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Mie Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventor: Edward J. Boling
  • Patent number: 9680010
    Abstract: A high voltage device includes a substrate, a first LDMOS transistor and a second LDMOS transistor disposed on the substrate. The first LDMOS transistor includes a first gate electrode disposed on the substrate. A first STI is embedded in the substrate and disposed at an edge of the first gate electrode and two first doping regions respectively disposed at one side of the first STI and one side of the first gate electrode. The second LDMOS transistor includes a second gate electrode disposed on the substrate. A second STI is embedded in the substrate and disposed at an edge of the second gate electrode. Two second doping regions are respectively disposed at one side of the second STI and one side of the second gate electrode, wherein the second STI is deeper than the first STI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Shih-Yin Hsiao, Su-Hwa Tsai
  • Patent number: 9627020
    Abstract: A semiconductor device may be provided. The semiconductor device may include a reference mat including a reference bit line and a reference word line, the reference mat, located adjacent to a normal mat, and the reference mat configured such that a capacitance of the reference bit line is adjusted based on a signal of the reference word line. The semiconductor device may include a drive controller configured to drive the signal of the reference word line with a drive voltage based on a boosting voltage, the drive voltage having a lower voltage level than the boosting voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: SK HYNIX INC.
    Inventor: Ho Uk Song
  • Patent number: 9577506
    Abstract: A high-side circuit, adapted for a switched-mode converter, includes a level shifter, a high-side driver, a high-side transistor, a capacitor, and an active diode. The level shifter receives a first signal to generate a set signal. The high-side driver is supplied by a bootstrap voltage of a bootstrap node and a floating reference voltage of a floating reference node, which controls the high-side transistor to provide an input voltage to the floating reference node according to the set signal. The capacitor is coupled between the bootstrap node and the floating reference node. The active diode provides a supply voltage to the bootstrap node. When the bootstrap voltage exceeds the supply voltage, the active diode isolates the supply voltage from the bootstrap node according to a control voltage. The active diode includes a first-type well coupled to the bootstrap node, where the high-side driver is disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Vanguard International Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Yu-Lung Chin, Shin-Cheng Lin, Wen-Hsin Lin, Yu-Hao Ho
  • Patent number: 9520804
    Abstract: The number of ICs used for a power converter is reduced. The power converter includes n power transistors each having an emitter terminal or a source terminal connected to a common line, and driver ICs. Each of the driver ICs includes n pre-drivers that drive the respective n power transistors, and a receiver circuit that is integrated monolithically with the n pre-drivers. The receiver circuit is coupled with a transmitter circuit by AC coupling, and outputs a control signal that controls the n pre-drivers in response to a signal received from the transmitter circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shunichi Kaeriyama
  • Patent number: 9515659
    Abstract: A apparatus, having a processing system and an input buffer coupled with both the processing system and one of two IO pads, and a reference buffer coupled to both the input buffer and the second of the IO pads such that the reference generator controls the input threshold of the input buffer in response to an analog voltage received from an external circuit on the second of the IO pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Timothy John Williams, David G. Wright, Gregory John Verge, Bruce E. Byrkett
  • Patent number: 9450577
    Abstract: An output circuit includes: an output switch including a gate terminal, a drain terminal coupled to an external I/O bus, and a well terminal; a well control circuit, having a well terminal coupled to the well terminal of the output switch, to maintain a well voltage of the output switch at a level not less than a greater of a first voltage and a second voltage; and a gate control circuit coupled to the gate terminal and a the drain terminal of the output switch and to the external I/O bus, and operable to turn off the output switch, to prevent current flow through the output switch from the external I/O bus when an operating voltage of the output circuit is not applied to the output switch, and a bus voltage from an external device is present on the external I/O bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Hsiung Hung, Kuen-Long Chang, Ken-Hui Chen, Su-Chueh Lo, Tzu-Ting Chiu
  • Patent number: 9419560
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of stacked transistors in a multi-stacked power amplifier. At least one transistor of the plurality of stacked transistors is configured to operate in a first mode and in a second mode. The at least one transistor of the plurality of stacked transistors is configured to be biased by a low power biasing network to operate in the first mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Qualcomm Incorporated
    Inventors: Victor Korol, Shu-Hsien Liao
  • Patent number: 9391619
    Abstract: A level-shift circuit, receiving a supply voltage and a input signal, includes a pre-stage voltage conversion circuit and a post-stage voltage conversion circuit. The pre-stage voltage conversion circuit includes a first voltage protection module generating an inner conversion voltage and a first voltage conversion module converting the input signal into a pre-stage output signal according to the inner conversion voltage. The post-stage voltage conversion circuit includes a second voltage protection module generating a first inverse output signal, a first output signal, a second inverse output signal, and a second output signal. The transistors of the pre-stage voltage conversion circuit and the post-stage voltage conversion circuit have a punch-through voltage. The level-shift makes the stress of the transistors less than the punch-through voltage when the supply voltage is greater than the punch-through voltage, and remains the driving capability when being less than the punch-through voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: VIA ALLIANCE SEMICONDUCTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Qiang Si, Cheng Liu
  • Patent number: 9379705
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) includes at least one unit cell. The at least one unit cell includes a first bit circuit configured to process a first bit signal, a second bit circuit configured to process a second bit signal, a first well spaced apart from boundaries of the at least one unit cell and biased to a first voltage, and a second well biased to a second voltage that is different from the first voltage. Each of the first and second bit circuits includes at least one transistor from among a plurality of transistors disposed in the first well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dal-Hee Lee, Jae-Woo Seo, Min-Ho Park
  • Patent number: 9340022
    Abstract: A liquid discharging substrate comprising discharging units, a first pad arranged on a first side, a second pad arranged on a second side, a signal generating unit arranged between the first pad and the second pad, level shifters, for shifting a level of a signal generated by the signal generating unit to output the signal to the discharging units, arranged between the signal generating unit and the second pad, a first wiring line for supplying the signal generating unit with a first reference voltage received by the first pad, and a second wiring line for supplying the level shifters with the second reference voltage received by the second pad, wherein the first wiring line and the second wiring line are isolated from each other between the signal generating unit and the level shifters in a planar view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazunari Fujii, Takaaki Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 9338040
    Abstract: A short reach communication system includes a plurality of communication SERDES that communicate data over a short reach channel medium such as a backplane connection (e.g., PCB trace) between, for example, chips located on a common PCB. A multi-level modulated data signal is generated to transmit/receive data over the short reach channel medium. Multi-level modulated data signals, such as four-level PAM, reduce the data signal rate therefore reducing insertion loss, power, complexity of the circuits and required chip real estate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: BROADCOM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lorenzo Longo, Vivek Telang
  • Patent number: 9325315
    Abstract: The NAND gate circuit includes at least two input transistors, at least two pull-up modules and at least two input control transistors. A first electrode of each input transistor is connected to a second level output end via the pull-up module. The input control transistor is configured to enable a potential of the control end of the pull-up module connected to the first electrode of the input transistor to be the first level when the input signal connected to the gate electrode of the input control transistor is at a second level. The at least two pull-up modules are configured to cut off the connection between the second level output end and the NAND gate output end when all the input signals are at the second level, and enable the connection therebetween when none of the input signals is at the second level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhongyuan Wu, Danna Song, Liye Duan
  • Patent number: 9281808
    Abstract: An integrated circuit including a processor configured to operate off a supply voltage being applied at one of a plurality of external pins; and internal input/output circuitry configured to select between the supply voltage and at least one other supply voltage being applied at another of the plurality of external pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Sean Steedman, Fanie Duvenhage
  • Patent number: 9270276
    Abstract: A level shifting apparatus includes a first capacitor, a first side of the first capacitor configured to receive a first voltage. The level shifting apparatus further includes an edge detector configured to receive the first voltage. The level shifting apparatus further includes an output inverter connected to a second side of the first capacitor, the output inverter configured to output an voltage-level shifted signal of the level shifting apparatus. The level shifting apparatus further includes a latch loop configured to receive feedback the output signal to an input of the output inverter, wherein the edge detector is configured to selectively interrupt feedback of the output signal to the input of the output inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tsung-Ching (Jim) Huang, Chan-Hong Chern, Ming-Chieh Huang, Chih-Chang Lin
  • Patent number: 9246492
    Abstract: In one example, a programmable integrated circuit (IC) includes a first logic tile in a first power domain having a first local voltage. The first logic tile includes a driver operable to use the first local voltage to output a signal having a logic-level referenced to the first local voltage. The first logic tile further includes a level-shifter coupled to receive the signal from the driver and operable to output a level-shifted signal having a logic-level referenced to a global handshaking voltage. The programmable IC further includes a second logic tile in a second power domain having a second local voltage, the second logic tile including a receiver operable to use the second local voltage to receive the level-shifted signal. The global handshaking voltage is at least as high as the first local voltage and at least as high as the second local voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: XILINX, INC.
    Inventor: Santosh Kumar Sood
  • Patent number: 9191006
    Abstract: A current-limited level shift circuit comprises a first PMOS transistor, a second PMOS transistor, a third PMOS transistor, a fourth PMOS transistor, a first current-limiting unit, a second current-limiting unit, a first NMOS transistor and a second NMOS transistor, for providing a pair of input terminals and three pairs of output terminals outputting level shift signals. The first current-limiting unit is connected between the third output terminal and the fifth output terminal, and the second current-limiting unit is connected between the fourth output terminal and the sixth output terminal, for providing the current limiting of state transition. The pair of the first output terminal and the second output terminal, the pair of the third output terminal and the fourth output terminal, and the pair of the fifth output terminal and the sixth output terminal are selectively for providing multiple choices to the second stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: ILI TECHNOLOGY CORP.
    Inventors: Ren-Yi Lin, Chun-Ku Lin
  • Patent number: 9166594
    Abstract: Flexible, space-efficient I/O architectures for integrated circuits simplify circuit design and shorten design times. In one aspect, cells for power supply pads are eliminated, in part by locating ESD protection circuitry for these pads underneath the pads themselves, leaving only signal I/O buffers. Pads coupled to the signal I/O buffers may be defined as either signal I/O pads or power supply pads in accordance with customization circuitry. Customization circuitry also provides for flexible bank architectures, where signal I/O buffers within a bank share power supply requirements that may be different from power supply requirements of signal I/O buffers of another bank. The number of banks and the number of signal I/O buffers belonging to each bank is flexibly defined. Customization circuitry also provides for flexible pad options, whereby the IC pads may be configured for different packaging technology, for example, for wire bonding for flip-chip bonding, or for other types of bonding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Baysand Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan C Parks, Yin Hao Liew, Kok Seong Lee, Salah M Werfelli
  • Patent number: 9130570
    Abstract: A four quadrant bidirectional switch. In one embodiment, the four quadrant bidirectional switch comprises a first switch, a second switch, and a third switch, wherein (i) the first and second switches are normally-off switches, (ii) the third switch is a dual-gate, bidirectional, normally-on switch, and (iii) the first, the second, and the third switches are coupled to one another in a bi-cascode configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Enphase Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Fornage, Donald Richard Zimmanck, Jeffrey Bernard Fedison
  • Patent number: 9124264
    Abstract: A method of driving an output terminal to a voltage, in which an input signal is received, an appropriate output voltage and output voltage range are determined based on the input signal, an output driver is configured to a first mode and the output driver drives the output terminal to a voltage within the voltage range, the output driver is configured to a second mode and the output driver drives the output terminal to a voltage approximately equal to the appropriate output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: David G. Wright, Jason Faris Muriby, Erhan Hancioglu
  • Patent number: 9054695
    Abstract: An IO circuit capable of high voltage signaling in a low voltage BiCMOS process. The IO circuit includes a voltage rail generator circuit that receives a reference voltage and generates a voltage rail supply. A BJT (bi-polar junction transistor) buffer circuit is coupled to the voltage rail generator circuit and a pad. The BJT buffer circuit includes a pull-up circuit and a pull-down circuit. The pull-up circuit receives the voltage rail supply. The pull-down circuit is coupled to the pull-up circuit. The pad is coupled to the pull-up circuit and the pull-down circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Samiran Dasgupta, Devraj Matharampallil Rajagopal
  • Patent number: 9030249
    Abstract: There is provided a level shift circuit free from malfunction. The level shift circuit converts a signal of a first power supply voltage of a first supply terminal, which is supplied to an input terminal, into a signal of a second power supply voltage of a second supply terminal and outputs the converted signal to an output terminal. The level shift circuit has a control circuit that detects when the first power supply voltage reduces below a predetermined voltage. The voltage of the output terminal of the level shift circuit is fixed to the second power supply voltage or a ground voltage according to a detection signal of the control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Kosuke Takada, Atsushi Igarashi
  • Publication number: 20150123709
    Abstract: System, methods and apparatus are described that facilitate data communications using a single-ended communication link. A method for data communications includes decoupling a direct current component from an alternating current component of a single-ended input signal, biasing the alternating current component with a predetermined bias voltage to obtain a realigned signal, and providing a digital output representative of the input signal by comparing the realigned signal with the predetermined bias voltage. The realigned signal can be compared with the predetermined bias voltage using hysteresis comparison to provide an output signal that switches between logic states compatible with a logic circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: Timothy Mowry Hollis
  • Patent number: 9024675
    Abstract: There is provided a multi power supply type level shifter. The provided multi power supply type level shifter includes a first level shifter and a second level shifter in a two-stage architecture so as to selectively receive first to third power supplies and change a signal level, even when the first to third power supplies are applied in a different sequence from a normal power-on sequence. Output voltages are output without a change in level, and short-circuit currents are not generated in the first and second level shifters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: MagnaChip Semiconductor, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung Hoon Sul, Brandon Kwon
  • Publication number: 20150109026
    Abstract: An electronic device assembly includes a master device, and a plurality of peripheral devices. The master device includes a signal reading unit, a layer identification unit, and a selecting and controlling unit. The plurality of peripheral devices is coupled to the master device and connected one by one in series. The signal reading unit is configured to read layer signals from the plurality of peripheral devices, the layer identification unit is configured to identify a layer information of the plurality of peripheral devices according to the layer signals; and the selecting and controlling unit is configured to select and control one or more of the plurality of peripheral electronic devices according to the layer information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventor: CHING-CHUNG LIN
  • Patent number: 9013223
    Abstract: A level conversion circuit including a first level shifter and a second level shifter is provided. The first level shifter converts a first control voltage into a second control voltage during a voltage conversion period. The second level shifter is coupled to the first level shifter. The second level shifter converts the second control voltage into a third control voltage during the voltage conversion period to control a next stage circuit. The first level shifter is configured to detect a voltage level of a power domain where the third control voltage operates and generate a plurality of middle voltages based on the detection result. The second level shifter is configured to generate the third control voltage based on the middle voltages. Furthermore, a voltage level conversion method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Novatek Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventor: Sheng-Wen Hsiao
  • Patent number: 9007092
    Abstract: To provide a charge pump circuit to manufacture a low-power-consumption PLD. A semiconductor device includes a first circuit and a second circuit electrically connected to the first circuit. A charge pump circuit formed of a transistor including an oxide semiconductor and a boosting control circuit controlling the charge pump circuit are provided between the first circuit and the second circuit. The first circuit and the charge pump circuit operate at first power supply voltage, and the boosting control circuit and the second circuit operate at second power supply voltage. The first power supply voltage is lower than the second power supply voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Munehiro Kozuma, Yoshiyuki Kurokawa
  • Patent number: 8994402
    Abstract: A level shifter and integrated level shifter and metastability resolution flop circuit are disclosed. A circuit includes a generation circuit, in a first voltage domain, coupled to receive a logic signal via a single-ended input and configured to generate true and complementary values of the logic signal. The circuit further includes a storage circuit coupled to receive the true and complementary values of the logic signal from the generation circuit. The storage circuit is configured to store the true and complementary values of the logic signal. The storage circuit is in a second voltage domain. The circuit further includes an output circuit coupled to the storage circuit and configured to provide a differential output signal having true and complementary values corresponding to the true and complementary values of the logic signal. The circuit may be combined with a latch circuit coupled to receive the differential output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: Changku Hwang, Robert P Masleid, Hoki Kim, Ha Pham
  • Patent number: 8988129
    Abstract: A level shifter includes a static precharge circuit. During a precharge phase, two nodes of the level shifter are precharged to a voltage at or near a reference voltage. During an evaluate phase, the level shifter maintains one of the nodes at the precharge voltage, while the other node is pulled to a different voltage level, such as at or near a ground voltage level, wherein the node that is maintained is selected based on the state of data input signals of the level shifter. The voltage at the nodes determines the state of the level shifter output signals, such that the output signals represent the input signals at a shifted voltage level. The level shifter can include a capacitor to feed forward a signal that causes the precharging to terminate more quickly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Perry H. Pelley
  • Patent number: 8981830
    Abstract: An asynchronous level shifter electronic circuit including: a transmitter, which can be coupled to a first voltage and generates a communication signal; a receiver, which can be coupled to a second voltage; and a capacitive coupling stage, which receives the communication signal and supplies a corresponding filtered signal to the receiver. The receiver includes: a threshold device, which has an input terminal and an output terminal and switches an electrical quantity on the output terminal between a first value and a second value, as a function of corresponding transitions through a threshold of a first intermediate signal present on the input terminal, to generate a second intermediate signal; and a biasing circuit, which generates the first intermediate signal to have a d.c. component, which is a function of the second intermediate signal, and superposed on which is a variable component, which is a function of the filtered signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Mauro Scandiuzzo, Salvatore Valerio Cani, Claudio Mucci, Roberto Canegallo, Pier Luigi Rolandi
  • Patent number: 8975944
    Abstract: A level shift circuit does not affect delay time, regardless of the size of resistor resistance value. The level shift circuit includes first and second series circuits wherein first and second resistors and first and second switching elements are connected in series, rise detector circuits that compare the rise potentials of output signals of the first and second series circuits with a predetermined threshold value, and output first and second output signals, which are pulse outputs of a constant duration, when the threshold value is exceeded, and third and fourth switching elements connected in parallel to the first and second resistors respectively. The gate terminals of the third and fourth switching elements are connected to the rise detector circuits, and the third and fourth switching elements are turned on by the first and second output signals respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masashi Akahane
  • Patent number: 8970572
    Abstract: A driving apparatus for a display device includes: a signal controller that generates a pre-clock signal, a charge sharing control signal and a scanning start signal; a clock signal generator that generates a clock signal swinging between a first voltage and a second voltage based on the pre-clock signal and the charge sharing control signal; and a gate driver that generates gate signals based on the scanning start signal and the clock signal, where the clock signal generator includes: a voltage generator that generates a third voltage; and a clock generator that receives one of the first to third voltages in response to the pre-clock signal and the charge sharing control signal, and outputs an output signal based on the one of the first to third voltages as the clock signal, where the third voltage is lower than the first voltage and higher than the second voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-Su Kim, Jae Hoon Lee, Duc-Han Cho
  • Patent number: 8963583
    Abstract: Disclosed is a voltage level converter that includes: a first conversion unit which receives at least one input signal of a logic 1 signal and a logic 0 signal from a signal input terminal and converts the signal; a second conversion unit and a third conversion unit which alternately output a logic ?1 signal and the logic 1 signal respectively in accordance with the input signal; a fourth conversion unit and a fifth conversion unit which alternately output the logic ?1 signal and the logic 0 signal respectively in accordance with the input signal; and a latch which has a complementary characteristic in which if a first transistor becomes an on-state, then a second transistor becomes an off-state in accordance with the input signal, and performs a positive feedback operation. A drain output of the first transistor is input to the fourth conversion unit. A drain output of the second transistor is input to the fifth conversion unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: HiDeep Inc.
    Inventors: Donggu Im, Seunghyun Park, Bonkee Kim, Youngho Cho
  • Patent number: 8963582
    Abstract: A signal amplification circuit includes a differential amplification unit to differentially amplify an input signal and an input signal bar, to output to a first node and a second node, respectively, a first inverting element to output a first logic value to a first output node when the level of the amplified signal is higher than a logic threshold, and to output a second logic value to the first output node when the level of the amplified signal is lower than the logic threshold, a second inverting element to output the first logic value to a second output node when the level of the amplified signal bar is higher than the logic threshold, and to output the second logic value to the second output node when the level of the amplified signal bar is lower than the logic threshold, a first current path, and a second current path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Hae-Kang Jung
  • Patent number: 8957702
    Abstract: A signalling circuit for a signal channel of a communication network comprises a communication network terminal connectable to the signal channel and to a voltage supply; an input terminal connectable to receive a transmit signal; a driver device comprising a first driver terminal connected to the communication network terminal, a second driver terminal connected to ground, and a driver control terminal connected to the input terminal; wherein the driver device is arranged to connect the communication network terminal to ground in response to a transition from a low to a high voltage driver control signal state of a driver control signal received at the driver control terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Mathieu Lesbats, Hubert Bode, Rafael Pena Bello
  • Publication number: 20150022238
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for charge sharing, between signal lines are disclosed. An example apparatus may include first and second lines and a charge sharing circuit The charge sharing circuit may be coupled to the first line and the second line and configured to receive a first data signal and a second data signal. The charge sharing circuit may be further configured to cause charge to be shared between the first line and the second line responsive, at least in part, to the first data signal and the second data signal having different logic levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventor: HOON CHOI
  • Patent number: 8923077
    Abstract: The semiconductor device including an output terminal; and an output unit coupled to the output terminal. The output unit includes an output buffer coupled to the output terminal and operating on a first power supply voltage, a first control circuit operating on a second power supply voltage, receiving an impedance adjustment signal and a data signal and making the output buffer drive the output terminal to a first logic level designated by the data signal with impedance designated by the impedance adjustment signal, and a level shifter coupled between the output buffer and the first control circuit. The second power supply voltage is smaller in level than the first power supply voltage. The level shifter includes a first circuit portion operating on the second power supply voltage and a second circuit portion operating on the first power supply voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: PS4 Luxco S.a.r.l.
    Inventor: Takenori Sato
  • Publication number: 20140368236
    Abstract: One embodiment relates to an integrated circuit including a multiple-voltage programmable logic fabric. The programmable logic fabric includes circuits of a first type operating in a first voltage domain and circuits of a second type operating in a second voltage domain. The second voltage domain has a lower supply voltage than the first voltage domain. The integrated circuit further includes downward level conversion circuit elements in the programmable logic fabric for driving signals from the first voltage domain to the second voltage domain and upward level conversion circuit elements in the programmable logic fabric for driving signals from the second voltage domain to the first voltage domain. Other embodiments, aspects, and features are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. CHROMCZAK
  • Patent number: 8912688
    Abstract: A power supply switch circuit according to an aspect of the present invention includes a first switch element that is connected between a first power supply line and a second power supply line and switches connection and disconnection between the first power supply line and the second power supply line according to a first enable signal; a second switch element that is connected between the first power supply line and the second power supply line and switches connection and disconnection between the first power supply line and the second power supply line; and a switch control circuit that includes at least one logic gate supplied with power from the second power supply line and controls the second switch element. The switch control circuit controls the second switch element based on a second enable signal supplied to the switch control circuit and on a voltage of the second power supply line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Kosuge
  • Publication number: 20140354720
    Abstract: A recent inkjet printing apparatus includes a large-capacitance capacitor to stabilize a heater power supply. The presence of this capacitor requires a long time to drop the heater voltage at the time of power shutdown or the like. For this reason, an unwanted heater current may flow during the drop. To solve this problem, in this embodiment, a high voltage logic circuit is provided near a printing element, and a terminal is provided so that a signal can directly be input to this circuit. Heater driving control is performed via the terminal. This makes it possible to reliably control the heater regardless of the logic power supply state even if the logic voltage abruptly drops at the time of power shutdown or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryo Kasai, Nobuyuki Hirayama, Makoto Takagi
  • Patent number: 8901963
    Abstract: A level shifting device is disclosed. The device includes an input unit, a control unit, a high level generating unit, a low level generating unit and an output unit. The input unit generates a level selection signal and a plurality of output selection signals by sampling serial input data. The control unit selectively generates a high level activation signal or a low level activation signal based on the input data, and generates a switching signal based on the input data. The high level generating unit generates a high level output signal in response to the high level activation signal, and the low level generating unit generates a low level output signal in response to the low level activation signal. The output unit outputs one of the high level output signal and the low level output signal to each of a plurality of output signals in response to the switching signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sang-Jun Cho
  • Patent number: 8901987
    Abstract: A circuit includes an input stage configured to receive a regulated input signal and generate an input stage output signal in response to the regulated input signal. An isolation stage can be configured to pass the input stage output signal to a buffered output node. The isolation stage receives feedback from the buffered output node to deactivate the buffer input stage if transient voltages are generated at the buffered output node. An output stage can be configured to provide current to the buffered output node in response to the regulated input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Jim Le, Harish Venkataraman
  • Patent number: 8896159
    Abstract: A low-leakage IO circuit is provided. The IO circuit includes an impedance path between a pad and a power supply. The impedance path bypasses a signal path of the pad and includes a switch circuit. According to a relationship between voltages of the power supply and the pad of the IO circuit, the switch circuit selectively conducts the impedance path. When the power supply provides power normally, the switch circuit conducts the impedance path to provide a pull-up resistor between the pad and the power supply. When the power supply provides no power and its voltage is lower than a voltage of the pad, the switch circuit disconnects the conducting path to effectively reduce power leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: MStar Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Chun-Wen Yeh
  • Patent number: 8896360
    Abstract: A level-up shifter circuit is suitable for high speed and low power applications. The circuit dissipates almost no static power, or leakage current, compared to conventional designs and can preserve the signal's duty cycle even at high data rates. This circuit can be used with a wide range of power supplies while maintaining operational integrity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Cavium, Inc.
    Inventor: David Lin
  • Publication number: 20140340119
    Abstract: According to the inventive concepts disclosed herein, a level shifter can include an input node in a first voltage domain and an output node in a second voltage domain, higher than the first voltage domain. The input node receives an input signal in the first, lower-voltage domain, and the output node is configured to output a representation of the input signal in the second, higher-voltage domain. A lower-voltage control circuit can control a supply of the lower-voltage level to a boundary node arranged at a boundary between the first and second domains. A higher-voltage control circuit can also be provided to control a supply of the higher-voltage level to the boundary node. The lower-voltage control circuit can cut off the lower-voltage supply to the boundary node when the higher-voltage control circuit supplies the higher-voltage level to the boundary node. The higher-voltage control circuit can, for instance, include logic circuitry that enables and disables a connection to the higher-voltage supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin Seung SON, Prashant KENKARE
  • Patent number: 8892930
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for managing power consumption in electronic devices. In certain embodiments, an integrated circuit for managing power consumption in an electronic device includes an input/output (I/O) interface, a first circuit block coupled to the I/O interface, and an interface circuit coupled between the I/O interface and the first circuit block, the interface circuit configured to provide a defined logic state to the first circuit block or a second circuit block external to the integrated circuit if one of the first circuit block or the second circuit block is powered down. By providing a defined logic state to the first circuit block or the second circuit block when one of the first circuit block or the second circuit block is powered down, power consumption of the electronic device may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Integrated Device Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Tzong-Kwang Henry Yeh, Tak Kwong Wong
  • Patent number: 8891318
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: two level shift circuits having substantially the same circuit configuration; an input circuit that supplies complementary input signals to the level shift circuits, respectively; and an output circuit that converts complementary output signals output from the level shift circuits into in-phase signals and then short-circuits the in-phase signals. According to the present invention, the two level shift circuits having substantially the same circuit configuration are used, and the complementary output signals output from the level shift circuits are converted into in-phase signals before short-circuited. This avoids almost any occurrence of a through current due to a difference in operating speed between the level shift circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: PS4 Luxco S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Takenori Sato, Yoji Idei, Hiromasa Noda