IP Library Granted Patent US 6,853,217
Granted Patent B2
US 6,853,217 · App. 10/647,280 · Granted Feb 8, 2005

Level conversion circuit and semiconductor integrated circuit device employing the level conversion circuit

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,853,217
App. No.
10/647,280
Granted
Feb 8, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

In a level conversion circuit mounted in an integrated circuit device using a plurality of high- and low-voltage power supplies, the input to the differential inputs are provided. In a level-down circuit, MOS transistors that are not supplied with 3.3 V between the gate and drain and between the gate and source use a thin oxide layer. In a level-up circuit, a logic operation function is provided.

Claims (13)

1. A semiconductor integrated circuit device, comprising:

a first potential point having a first potential;

a second potential point having a second potential;

a level-up level conversion circuit including:

first and second field-effect transistors of first conductivity type arranged to receive complementary input signals, wherein sources of the first and second field-effect transistors are coupled to the second potential point; and

third and fourth field-effect transistors of second conductivity type, wherein a source of the third field-effect transistor is coupled to the first potential point, a drain of the third field-effect transistor is coupled to a drain of the first field-effect transistor, a gate of the third field-effect transistor is coupled to a drain of the second field-effect transistor, a source of the fourth field-effect transistor is coupled to the first potential point, a drain of the fourth field-effect transistor is coupled to a drain of the second field-effect transistor and a gate of the fourth field-effect transistor is coupled to a drain of the first field-effect transistor; and

a current source to limit a current flowing through the level-up level conversion circuit.

2. The semiconductor integrated circuit according to claim 1 ,

wherein the level-up level conversion circuit further includes fifth and sixth field-effect transistors of second conductivity type arranged to receive the complementary input signals,

wherein a source of the fifth field-effect transistor is coupled to the drain of the third field-effect transistor, a drain of the fifth field-effect transistor is coupled to the drain of the first field-effect transistor, a source of the sixth field-effect transistor is coupled to the drain of the fourth field-effect transistor and a drain of the sixth field-effect transistor is coupled to a drain of the second field-effect transistor.

3. The semiconductor integrated circuit device according to claim 1 ,

wherein the current source includes a seventh field-effect transistor of second conductivity type arranged to receive the second potential,

wherein a source of the seventh field-effect transistor is coupled to the first potential point and a drain of the seventh field-effect transistor is coupled to the sources of the third and fourth field-effect transistors.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF ADDRESS Recorded Nov 29, 2017
From: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
To: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 044928/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 29, 2016
From: HITACHI ULSI SYSTEMS CO., LTD.
To: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 039565/0907 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 30, 2016
From: TANAKA, KAZUO; MIZUNO, HIROYUKI; NISHIYAMA, RIE; MIYAMOTO, MANABU
To: HITACHI, LTD.; HITACHI ULSI SYSTEMS CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 039057/0037 →