Buffer Delay Adjustment for Uniform Data Transfer in Semiconductor Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional semiconductor memory devices face issues with nonuniform wire distances between a data input/output unit and internal circuits, leading to varying data transfer times and increased wire density or power consumption when attempting to uniformize these distances.
Innovation Solution
The semiconductor device employs first and second bus lines with buffers configured such that the transfer delay time of a buffer assigned to an internal circuit near the data input/output unit is longer than that of buffers assigned to internal circuits farther away, ensuring uniform data transfer times without increasing wire density or power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If wire distances between data input/output unit and internal circuits are made uniform by detouring bus lines, then data transfer times are equalized, but wire density significantly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the transfer delay time of buffers non-uniform based on their specific locations. Buffers near the data input/output unit have longer delay times, while buffers farther away have shorter delay times. This local differentiation compensates for the varying wire distances without requiring uniform wire lengths, thus avoiding the wire density increase problem.
2Loss of time
If wire loads in banks are made uniform by short-circuiting bus lines, then data transfer times are equalized, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the transfer delay time of buffers non-uniform based on their specific locations. Buffers near the data input/output unit have longer delay times, while buffers farther away have shorter delay times. This local differentiation compensates for the varying wire distances without requiring uniform wire lengths, thus avoiding the wire density increase problem.
3Loss of time
If wire distances are uniformized by detouring bus lines, then data transfer times are equalized, but area occupied by bus lines increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the transfer delay time of buffers non-uniform based on their specific locations. Buffers near the data input/output unit have longer delay times, while buffers farther away have shorter delay times. This local differentiation compensates for the varying wire distances without requiring uniform wire lengths, thus avoiding the wire density increase problem.
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a semiconductor device including: first and second bus lines; a first buffer connected between the first and second bus lines; second and third buffers connected to the first bus line; fourth and fifth buffers connected to the second bus line; first to fourth banks connected via the first, second, and third buffers to the second bus line; fifth to eighth banks connected via the fourth and fifth buffers to the second bus line; and a data input/output unit connected to the second bus line. Transfer delay times of the fourth and fifth buffers are longer than transfer delay times of the first, second, and third buffers. Thereby, it becomes possible to eliminate differences in data transfer times resulting from differences in distances between far and near ends without causing significant increase in wire density, increase in power consumption, or the like.