Boot-Up Signal Timing for Stable Semiconductor Startup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Semiconductor devices face challenges in stable boot-up operations due to potential glitches in initialization signals and limitations in recognizing data from e-fuses, which require large transistor areas and additional amplifiers for data recognition.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor device design that includes a boot-up start signal generation unit and a boot-up period signal generation unit, enabling a stable boot-up operation by synchronizing signals after a preset delay period from the end of the power-up period, and utilizing a signal combination section, control signal generation section, and counter output signal generation section to manage oscillation and counting operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the semiconductor device starts operations during the power-up period when voltage is rising, then productivity is improved by enabling earlier operations, but reliability deteriorates due to abnormal operations caused by unstable voltage levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a power-up period signal that is generated in advance to indicate when the power-up period has ended. This preliminary signal allows the system to prepare for normal operations before the voltage reaches the target level, ensuring that operations only start when both the power-up period has ended and the reset period has elapsed, thus maintaining reliability while optimizing productivity
2Measurement precision
If the transistor size is increased to directly recognize e-fuse data, then measurement precision is improved by enabling direct data recognition, but area of stationary object deteriorates due to larger transistor area requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sensing operation as an intermediary mechanism between the e-fuse and the data recognition process. Instead of requiring large transistors for direct recognition, the sensing operation uses a controlled current flow through the e-fuse transistor during a specific time period (while the read enable signal is activated) to detect the resistance state, thereby maintaining measurement precision while using smaller transistors
3Measurement precision
If a current sensing method is used to recognize e-fuse data, then measurement precision is improved by enabling data recognition with smaller transistors, but device complexity deteriorates due to the need for additional amplifiers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the sensing operation universal by integrating it into the existing memory cell structure and using the same read enable signal mechanism that is already employed for normal memory operations. The sensing operation leverages the existing bit lines, word lines, and sense amplifiers designed for memory read operations, thereby achieving e-fuse data recognition without adding dedicated amplifiers or increasing device complexity
4Speed
If the boot-up operation starts immediately after the initialization signal is enabled, then response speed is improved by reducing delay time, but reliability deteriorates due to potential glitches in the initialization signal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a preset delay period that starts when the power-up period ends and the initialization signal is enabled. The boot-up operation is configured to start only after this delay period has elapsed, ensuring that any glitches in the initialization signal have subsided. This preliminary delay action maintains reliable operation startup while minimizing the delay as much as possible
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a cushioning mechanism by introducing a time buffer (preset delay period) between the initialization signal and the boot-up operation start. This cushioning period allows transient glitches to settle before the critical boot-up operation begins, thereby protecting against reliability issues without significantly impacting the overall boot-up speed
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor device includes a boot-up start signal generation unit configured to generate a boot-up start signal which is enabled in synchronization with a time at which a preset delay period has passed from a time point at which an initialization signal is enabled after a power-up period is ended, and a boot-up period signal generation unit configured to generate a boot-up period signal which is enabled according to a set pulse generated in synchronization with a time point at which the boot-up start signal is enabled.