Introduction
A logic level converter is a circuit that is used to translate signals from one
logic level or voltage domain to another, allowing compatibility among
different ICs (integrated circuits) with different voltage requirements. It is
also called logic level shifter or voltage level translator. The level converter
can be uni-directional, where all input pins are dedicated to one voltage
domain and all output pins to the other, and bi-directional, where each
voltage domain has both input and output pins. Simply put, level converters
fix voltage incompatibility between various elements of the system. It
connects one digital circuit that uses one logic level to another digital circuit
that uses another logic level.
A logic level, in a digital circuit, is a specific voltage or a state in which a
signal can exist. Usually, the two states in the digital circuit are referred to
be ON (which translated to binary is 1), or OFF (which is 0 when translated
to binary). In Atmega328p, these signals are called HIGH (for ON and
binary 1) or LOW (for OFF and binary 0). The strength of a signal is usually
represented by its voltage level (the voltage difference between the signal
and the ground).
- 3 -
To Next Page
Loading...