The translator, or level shift function, is critical in design of today’s multiple voltage supply systems. The high transistor count of modern Microcontrollers and CPUs requires small geometry silicon which drives lower supply voltages: 1.6 to 1.2 V or even lower. However, many IO devices require higher voltages of 3.3 or even 5 V for improved noise immunity. How does a low voltage binary signal talk to a high voltage binary signal? Through the translator.