IP Library Granted Patent US 7,091,767
Granted Patent B2
US 7,091,767 · App. 11/041,232 · Granted Aug 15, 2006

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

Assignees: Renesas Technology Corp.; Hitachi ULSI Systems Co., Ltd.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,091,767
App. No.
11/041,232
Granted
Aug 15, 2006
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 (18)

1. A semiconductor integrated circuit device comprising:

a first area including a first circuit supplied with a first supply voltage;

a second area including a second circuit supplied with a second supply voltage;

wherein the first circuit includes a level conversion circuit, a pre-buffer coupled to the level conversion circuit, and an NMOS output buffer and a PMOS output buffer coupled to a I/O pad and driven by the pre-buffer,

wherein the second circuit includes a logic circuit to output a signal to the level conversion circuit, and

wherein the signal is transmitted to the first circuit via a first electrostatic breakdown protective circuit and the first electrostatic breakdown protective circuit is provided in the first area.

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

wherein the pre-buffer, PMOS output buffer and NMOS output buffer are arranged serially.

3. The semiconductor integrated circuit device according to claim 2 ,

wherein the pre-buffer and the NMOS output buffer are coupled via a second electrostatic breakdown protective circuit, and

wherein the prebuffer and the PMOS output buffer are coupled via a third electrostatic breakdown protective circuit.

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

wherein a first reference potential of the first supply voltage and a second reference potential of the second supply voltage are connected electrically outside of the semiconductor integrated circuit device.

5. The semiconductor integrated circuit device according to claim 4 ,

wherein the first reference potential and the second reference potential are connected electrically on a board on which the semiconductor integrated circuit device is mounted.

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

wherein the first circuit includes a first MOS transistor and the second circuit includes a second MOS transistor, and

wherein a gate insulated film of the first MOS transistor is thicker than a gate insulated film of the second MOS transistor.

Assignments (5)
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 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 30, 2016
From: HITACHI, LTD.
To: RENESAS TECHNOLOGY CORP.
Reel/Frame 039057/0070 →
MERGER AND CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 29, 2010
From: RENESAS TECHNOLOGY CORP.
To: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 024755/0338 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 9-359273 · Dec 26, 1997 · national
Continuity (6)
Continuation 1064728000 · Aug 26, 2003
Continuation 1030384100 · Nov 26, 2002
Continuation 1012217800 · Apr 16, 2002
Continuation 0983362700 · Apr 13, 2001
Continuation 0920975500 · Dec 11, 1998
Related Publication 20050122155A1 · Jun 9, 2005