IP Library Granted Patent US 7,746,149
Granted Patent B2
US 7,746,149 · App. 12/484,664 · Granted Jun 29, 2010

Voltage level shift circuit and semiconductor integrated circuit

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,746,149
App. No.
12/484,664
Granted
Jun 29, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

Provided is a voltage level shift circuit including: a first voltage level shift circuit formed of a P-channel enhancement type transistor (M 1 ) and an N-channel depletion type MOS transistor (M 3 ); and a second voltage level shift circuit formed of a P-channel enhancement type transistor (M 2 ) and an N-channel depletion type MOS transistor (M 4 ). In the voltage level shift circuit, a cascode circuit using an N-channel depletion type transistor (M 5 ) is serially connected to the first voltage level shift circuit, a cascode circuit using an N-channel depletion type transistor (M 6 ) is serially connected to the second voltage level shift circuit, and a unit for complementarily controlling bias voltages of the respective cascode circuits. As a result, an output signal of the voltage level shift circuit connected to an input of a differential amplifier circuit, for expanding an input voltage range of a signal, is not affected by fluctuations in power supply voltage.

Claims (10)

1. A voltage level shift circuit, comprising:

a first source follower circuit including:

a first P-channel enhancement type MOS transistor (M 21 ), a gate terminal of which is connected to a first voltage signal input terminal (In 11 ) and a drain terminal of which is grounded; and

a second P-channel enhancement type MOS transistor (M 22 ), a drain terminal of which is connected to a source terminal of the first P-channel enhancement type MOS transistor (M 21 ) and to a first voltage signal output terminal (Out 11 ) to be a constant current load;

a second source follower circuit including:

a third P-channel enhancement type MOS transistor (M 23 ), a gate terminal of which is connected to a second voltage signal input terminal (In 12 ) and a drain terminal of which is grounded; and

a fourth P-channel enhancement type MOS transistor (M 24 ), a drain terminal of which is connected to a source terminal of the third P-channel enhancement type MOS transistor (M 23 ) and to a second voltage signal output terminal (Out 12 ) to be a constant current load;

a cascode circuit formed of an N-channel depletion type MOS transistor (M 26 ), a gate terminal of which is connected to a fixed potential, a source terminal of which is connected to a source terminal of the second P-channel enhancement type MOS transistor (M 22 ) and to a source terminal of the fourth P-channel enhancement type MOS transistor (M 24 ), and a drain terminal of which is fixed to power supply voltage; and

a fifth P-channel enhancement type MOS transistor (M 25 ) which, together with the second P-channel enhancement type MOS transistor (M 22 ) and the fourth P-channel enhancement type MOS transistor (M 24 ), forms a current mirror circuit, for causing a current which is the same as a reference current (Iref) to flow through the second P-channel enhancement type MOS transistor (M 22 ) and the fourth P-channel enhancement type MOS transistor (M 24 ).

2. A semiconductor integrated circuit, comprising the voltage level shift circuit according to claim 1 .

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 12, 2018
From: SII SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
To: ABLIC INC.
Reel/Frame 045567/0927 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE EXECUTION DATE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 037783 FRAME: 0166. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Feb 23, 2016
From: SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC
To: SII SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 037903/0928 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 11, 2016
From: SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC
To: SII SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION .
Reel/Frame 037783/0166 →