Adaptive Voltage Regulator for Stable Memory Read Voltage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Memory cells with narrow memory windows experience unstable read voltages due to dynamic current changes during read operations, leading to poor read performance or failure, especially when the load changes compared to previous read operations.
Innovation Solution
An adaptive voltage regulator circuit that monitors address changes and adjusts the available pull-up current to maintain a stable read voltage by enabling or disabling current-sourcing circuits based on control signals, ensuring the voltage returns to a predefined target level during the read operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a voltage regulator is used to generate read voltage, then voltage stability is improved, but voltage accuracy deteriorates when load changes occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting address changes before read operations and proactively adjusting the pull-up current strength in advance. The regulator circuit prepares different current levels based on predicted load variations, so when a read operation occurs, the appropriate current is already configured, preventing voltage droop before it happens.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the pull-up current strength adjustable and adaptive rather than fixed. The regulator circuit dynamically changes the current level based on address change detection, transitioning between different current strengths to match varying load conditions, thus maintaining both stability and accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If the read voltage is adjusted to compensate for load changes, then voltage accuracy is improved, but circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by monitoring address changes and using this information to adjust the pull-up current strength. The system continuously compares the current address with the previous address, detects changes, and automatically adjusts the regulator output accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains voltage accuracy without complex external circuitry.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is an adaptive voltage regulator that includes a voltage regulator circuit configured to provide a regulated output voltage at an output node of the adaptive voltage regulator circuit. The adaptive voltage regulator also includes an adaptation circuit coupled to the output node that is configured to adapt a charging characteristic associated with a charging of the output node to a predefined output voltage as a function of a load coupled to the output node. The adaption circuit may be configured to selectively provide additional charging current that charges the output node to the predefined output voltage depending on the load.