IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,209,206
Granted Patent B2
US 9,209,206 · App. 13/107,167 · Granted Dec 8, 2015

Pulse converter circuit

Inventor: Toshihiko Saito (Atsugi, JP)
Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
H01L27/1251H01L27/1233H01L27/1237H01L29/7869
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,209,206
App. No.
13/107,167
Granted
Dec 8, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

A pulse converter circuit includes a logic circuit to which a first signal is input and from which a second signal is output. The logic circuit includes a p-channel transistor which determines whether a voltage of the second signal is set to a first voltage depending on a voltage of the gate; and an n-channel transistor which determines whether the voltage of the second signal is set to a second voltage, which is higher than the first voltage, depending on a voltage of the gate. The p-channel transistor includes a semiconductor layer containing an element of a group 14. The n-channel transistor includes an oxide semiconductor layer.

Claims (18)

1. A pulse converter circuit comprising:

a first inverter to which a first signal is input and from which a second signal is output; and

a second inverter to which the second signal is input and from which a third signal is output,

wherein the second inverter comprises:

a p-channel transistor to a gate of which the second signal is input, the p-channel transistor determining whether a voltage of the third signal is set to a first voltage depending on a voltage of the gate; and

an n-channel transistor which is of an enhancement mode and has a larger absolute value of a threshold voltage than an absolute value of a threshold voltage of the p-channel transistor, and to a gate of which the second signal is input, the n-channel transistor determining whether the voltage of the third signal is set to a second voltage, which is lower than the first voltage, depending on a voltage of the gate,

wherein the p-channel transistor includes a semiconductor layer in which a channel is formed and a group 14 element is included, and

wherein the n-channel transistor includes an oxide semiconductor layer in which a channel is formed and a carrier concentration is less than 1×10 14 /cm 3 .

2. A pulse converter circuit comprising:

a first inverter to which a first signal is input and from which a second signal is output; and

a second inverter to which the second signal is input and from which a third signal is output,

wherein the second inverter comprises:

a p-channel transistor to a gate of which the second signal is input, the p-channel transistor determining whether a voltage of the third signal is set to a first voltage depending on a voltage of the gate; and

an n-channel transistor which is of an enhancement mode and has a larger absolute value of a threshold voltage than an absolute value of a threshold voltage of the p-channel transistor, and to a gate of which the second signal is input, the n-channel transistor determining whether the voltage of the third signal is set to a second voltage, which is lower than the first voltage, depending on a voltage of the gate,

wherein the p-channel transistor includes a semiconductor layer in which a channel is formed and a group 14 element is included,

wherein the n-channel transistor includes an oxide semiconductor layer in which a channel is formed and a carrier concentration is less than 1×10 14 /cm 3 , and

wherein the oxide semiconductor layer comprises In, Ga, and Zn.

3. The pulse converter circuit according to claim 2 , wherein the group 14 element is silicon.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 13, 2011
From: SAITO, TOSHIHIKO
To: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 026275/0440 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2010-116861 · May 21, 2010 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20110285442A1 · Nov 24, 2011