Alternating Pumping Voltage Generation for Peak Current Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
As the degree of integration in semiconductor apparatus increases, the current consumption for generating pumping voltages also increases, leading to peak current and power noise, contrary to the trend of reducing current consumption.
Innovation Solution
The semiconductor apparatus alternately enables and disables pumping enable signals for the first and second pumping voltage generation units, allowing them to perform pumping operations during specific enable periods, thereby reducing peak current consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the degree of integration of the semiconductor apparatus is increased, then the current driving forces of the pumping voltage generation units are augmented, but the current consumption increases and peak current is raised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by alternately enabling the first and second pumping voltage generation units through non-overlapping enable signals. Instead of both units operating simultaneously, they are activated in alternating periods, which reduces peak current consumption while maintaining the necessary pumping voltage generation capability for flash memory operations
2Power
If the degree of integration of the semiconductor apparatus is increased, then the current driving forces of the pumping voltage generation units are augmented, but power noise is generated
Solution Approach 1:
By implementing periodic alternating operation of the pumping voltage generation units with non-overlapping enable periods, the patent reduces simultaneous current switching events that generate power noise. This periodic activation strategy maintains adequate driving force while minimizing noise generation
3Reliability
If the first and second pumping voltage generation units simultaneously operate, then both pumping voltages are generated, but peak current is raised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the operation of the pumping voltage generation units by dividing the enable periods into non-overlapping intervals. The first unit operates during its designated period and the second unit operates during its designated period, ensuring both voltages are generated over time while preventing simultaneous operation that would cause peak current
Solution Approach 2:
The alternating periodic operation of the two pumping voltage generation units ensures that both positive and negative pumping voltages are generated in sequence, maintaining the reliability needed for flash memory operations while avoiding the peak current associated with simultaneous operation
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor apparatus includes a control unit configured to generate a first pumping enable signal and a second pumping enable signal which are alternately enabled, in response to an active signal; a first pumping voltage generation unit configured to perform a pumping operation during an enable period of the first pumping enable signal and generate a first pumping voltage; and a second pumping voltage generation unit configured to perform a pumping operation during an enable period of the second pumping enable signal and generate a second pumping voltage.