Level converter circuit for converting ECL-level input signals

DETAILED DESCRIPTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a level converter circuit in view of the aforementioned defects of the prior art, which is capable of reducing a propagation delay time with respect to an input signal and a dissipation current.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a level converter circuit, comprising first bipolar transistor means having a collector and an emitter connected to a power source and an output terminal, respectively; first charge discharge means connected between the output terminal and a reference voltage; first logic circuit means for inputting at least two input signals and feeding an output to the first charge discharge means; second logic circuit means for inputting at least two input signals and the output of the first logic circuit means and feeding an output to a base of the first bipolar transistor means; and second charge discharge means connected between the first charge discharge means and the reference voltage.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a level converter circuit, comprising first bipolar transistor means having a collector and an emitter connected to a power source and an output terminal, respectively; first charge discharge means connected between the output terminal and a reference voltage; first logic circuit means for inputting at least two input signals and feeding an output to the first charge discharge means; and second logic circuit means for inputting at least two input signals and the output of the first logic circuit means and feeding an output to a base of the first bipolar transistor means.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a level converter circuit, comprising first bipolar transistor means having a collector and an emitter connected to a power source and an output terminal, respectively; first charge discharge means connected between the output terminal and a reference voltage; first logic circuit means for inputting at least two input signals and feeding an output to the first charge discharge means; second logic circuit means for inputting at least two input signals and feeding an output to a base of the first bipolar transistor means; and second charge discharge means connected between the first charge discharge means and the reference voltage