Passive voltage level shifters for analog signaling

Passive voltage level shifters for analog signaling are proposed. The proposed voltage level shifters utilize the unique characteristics of diode-based voltage clampers and voltage rectifiers and shift the median value of an incoming analog signal in either positive or negative directions. The amount of voltage shift can be a multiple or a fraction of the amplitude of the input signal. The proposed voltage level shifters are powered by the incoming signal, making them particularly attractive for applications where power consumption is critical. The simple configurations of the proposed voltage level shifters also make them well suited for high-frequency applications. The proposed voltage shifters are designed in IBM 130 nm 1.2 V CMOS and analyzed using Spectre with BSIM4.4 device models. The performance and theoretical results of the proposed voltage level shifters are validated using simulation results.