Adjustable Power-On Reset Circuit for Multi-Voltage Trip Detection

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power-on reset (POR) circuitry in memory devices requires multiple separate circuits to detect different supply voltage levels, leading to increased area occupancy on integrated circuits and complex calibration efforts.

Innovation Solution

A single POR circuit with an adjustable supply voltage trip level that detects multiple trip points and adjusts based on a counting mechanism, allowing for multiple POR signals to be generated without the need for separate circuits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple separate POR circuits are used to detect different supply voltage levels, then each internal logic circuit can be protected at its required voltage level, but the area occupancy on the integrated circuit increases and calibration complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproper functionality of internal logic circuitsVSAvoidarea occupancy on integrated circuit

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate POR circuits into a single POR circuit that can detect multiple different supply voltage levels. This single circuit generates multiple POR signals corresponding to different voltage thresholds, thereby protecting various internal logic circuits with different voltage requirements while occupying less area on the integrated circuit compared to using multiple separate circuits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single POR circuit is designed to perform multiple functions by detecting different supply voltage levels and generating multiple POR signals. This multi-functional approach allows one circuit to replace what would traditionally require several separate circuits, each dedicated to a specific voltage level detection task.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple separate POR circuits are used to detect different supply voltage levels, then each internal logic circuit can be protected at its required voltage level, but the calibration effort becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproper functionality of internal logic circuitsVSAvoidcalibration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate POR circuits into a single POR circuit that can detect multiple different supply voltage levels. This single circuit generates multiple POR signals corresponding to different voltage thresholds, thereby protecting various internal logic circuits with different voltage requirements while occupying less area on the integrated circuit compared to using multiple separate circuits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the parameter approach by using a single POR circuit with adjustable or configurable voltage thresholds rather than multiple fixed circuits. This allows for simplified calibration where the thresholds can be set or adjusted centrally in one circuit, avoiding the complex multi-circuit calibration process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Area of stationary object

If a single POR circuit is used with an adjustable trip level, then area occupancy is reduced and calibration is simplified, but the circuit must detect multiple trip points

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearea occupancy on integrated circuitVSAvoidtrip level detection complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic trip level detection mechanism where a single POR circuit can adjust its detection threshold. The circuit responds to different supply voltage levels by generating appropriate POR signals, effectively making the trip level dynamic rather than fixed. This allows one circuit to handle multiple detection points that would traditionally require multiple static circuits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the parameter approach by using a single POR circuit with adjustable or configurable voltage thresholds rather than multiple fixed circuits. This allows for simplified calibration where the thresholds can be set or adjusted centrally in one circuit, avoiding the complex multi-circuit calibration process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS7564279B2Power on reset circuitry in electronic systems

Publication Date: 2009.07.21 MICRON TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, devices, and systems for operating power on reset (POR) circuitry. One method embodiment includes providing a voltage to a POR circuit of the system, detecting when the voltage reaches a number of different trip levels, maintaining a count of the number of times an output signal of the POR circuit trips in response to a detected reaching of one of the number of different trip levels, and adjusting the trip level to be detected based at least partially on the count.