Temperature-Adaptive Voltage Pump Modes for Memory Power Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Voltage pump circuits in semiconductor memory devices often consume excess power due to being designed to operate under worst-case scenarios, which can lead to inefficiencies in power management across varying process, voltage, and temperature conditions.
Innovation Solution
A multi-mode voltage pump circuit that adjusts its operational mode based on temperature, allowing it to select from single-stage, two-stage, or mixed-stage modes to optimize voltage generation, thereby reducing power consumption by matching voltage requirements more precisely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If voltage pump circuits are designed to operate under worst-case scenarios to account for process, voltage, and temperature variation, then reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage pump circuit transitions from a static design to a dynamic one by incorporating temperature sensing and mode selection circuitry. The circuit automatically adjusts its operational mode (single-stage or two-stage) based on real-time temperature conditions, enabling it to adapt its power consumption and voltage generation capability to match actual operating requirements rather than always operating at worst-case specifications
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the voltage pump circuit based on temperature conditions. By switching between single-stage and two-stage modes, the circuit modifies its voltage multiplication factor and power consumption characteristics. This parameter adjustment allows the circuit to maintain reliability under varying temperature conditions while minimizing unnecessary power consumption when worst-case margins are not required
2Reliability
If voltage pump circuits are designed with sufficient margin for process and temperature variation, then operational reliability is improved, but power efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage pump circuit incorporates temperature sensing feedback that continuously monitors operating conditions and automatically adjusts the circuit's operational mode accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables the circuit to maintain stable voltage supply under varying temperature conditions while avoiding excessive power consumption by selecting the appropriate stage configuration based on actual rather than worst-case conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit transitions from a fixed-margin design to a dynamic adaptive design that adjusts its operational characteristics in real-time. By incorporating mode selection circuitry responsive to temperature conditions, the voltage pump maintains sufficient margin for reliability when needed while minimizing power waste when operating conditions are more favorable
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-mode voltage pump may be configured to select an operational mode based on a temperature of a semiconductor device. The selected mode for a range of temperature values may be determined based on process variations and operational differences caused by temperature changes. The different selected modes of operation of the multi-mode voltage pump may provide pumped voltage having different voltage magnitudes. For example, the multi-mode voltage pump may operate in a first mode that uses two stages to provide a first VPP voltage, a second mode that uses a single stage to provide a second VPP voltage, or a third mode that uses a mixture of a single stage and two stages to provide a third VPP voltage. The third VPP voltage may be between the first and second VPP voltages, with the first VPP voltage having the greatest magnitude. Control signal timing of circuitry of the multi-mode voltage pump may be based on an oscillator signal.