ADC-Based Charge Pump Verification for NVM Startup
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic systems fail to operate properly due to incorrect configuration information retrieved from non-volatile memory during startup, caused by transient faults or errors, leading to adverse system consequences.
Innovation Solution
An onboard analog-to-digital converter module is used to ensure the charge pump output for non-volatile memory is within a specified voltage range before proceeding with startup, preventing access to memory until proper conditions are met and sending an error signal if the maximum startup time is exceeded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the system proceeds with startup without verifying charge pump output, then startup speed is improved, but system reliability deteriorates due to potential incorrect memory retrieval
Solution Approach 1:
The charge pump output voltage is verified before the memory startup process begins. The ADC measures the charge pump output and compares it against expected voltage ranges to determine if the charge pump is ready to support memory operations. This preliminary verification ensures that memory retrieval operations will be reliable before they commence, preventing errors while maintaining efficient startup sequencing.
2Reliability
If the system waits for charge pump output verification before memory access, then memory operation reliability is improved, but startup time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The charge pump module monitors its own output voltage through the ADC and automatically determines when it is ready to support memory operations. The system uses the existing ADC resource already allocated for other purposes, eliminating the need for additional dedicated verification hardware. This self-verification approach ensures reliable memory operations while minimizing startup time overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors the charge pump output voltage parameter and uses threshold comparisons to determine readiness. By continuously monitoring the voltage parameter and comparing it against predefined ranges, the system can quickly determine when the charge pump is ready without requiring complex verification sequences, thus minimizing startup time while ensuring reliability.
3Device complexity
If no charge pump verification is performed, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase to ensure reliable operation
Solution Approach 1:
The ADC serves as an intermediary between the charge pump output and the memory control logic. Instead of requiring complex verification circuits or high-precision charge pump design, the ADC translates the analog charge pump output voltage into a digital signal that can be easily compared against threshold values. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall verification system while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach ensures proper charge pump performance, allowing for reliable retrieval of configuration information and preventing system failures by coordinating memory operations with the rest of the system, thereby enhancing system reliability.
Implementation Method 1
an onboard analog-to-digital converter module is used to ensure the charge pump output for non-volatile memory is within a specified voltage range
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with at least one embodiment, an onboard analog-to-digital converter (ADC) on a system-on-a-chip (SOC) is utilized to determine whether a charge pump output for a non-volatile memory (NVM) is correct or not. The SOC is directed to wait until the output is within an expected range before moving to the next step in a start-up procedure. If the maximum allowed start-up time is exceeded, an error signal is sent to the SOC such that the application can react to it.