Calibrating Temperature Detection Module in Semiconductor Memory Chips

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Solution Overview

Problem

Semiconductor memory chips experience prolonged writing times and reduced writing stability when operated in low-temperature environments, due to increased resistance in bit lines and metal connections, which affects data storage efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A semiconductor device with a temperature detection module comprising multiple temperature-sensitive units and a processing unit that shares calibration values to accurately detect and adjust resistance values, ensuring the memory chip is started and operated at a suitable temperature, thereby improving writing stability and reducing writing time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If temperature detection module is added to detect and prevent low-temperature operation, then writing stability is improved and writing time is shortened, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewriting stabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple temperature-sensitive units (first, second, third temperature-sensitive units) into a single integrated temperature detection module, allowing them to share common circuitry and processing logic while still providing comprehensive temperature monitoring across different memory chips, thereby reducing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The temperature detection module is designed to serve multiple functions: it monitors temperature across multiple memory chips, provides temperature information for control decisions, and enables both prevention of low-temperature operation and optimization of writing operations, making the added complexity worthwhile

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If multiple temperature-sensitive units are used to monitor multiple memory chips, then temperature detection accuracy is improved, but area occupied on memory chip increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature detection accuracyVSAvoidarea occupied
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple temperature-sensitive units into a shared temperature detection module with common processing circuitry, allowing multiple sensors to be implemented without proportionally increasing the area occupied on each memory chip

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The temperature-sensitive units are distributed across different spatial dimensions (different memory chips stacked vertically), while their processing is centralized in a single module, effectively utilizing the three-dimensional stacked architecture to reduce planar area occupation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If temperature detection and calibration is implemented, then writing time is shortened and writing stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewriting speedVSAvoidease of manufacture
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary temperature detection before writing operations commence, and performs calibration of temperature-sensitive units in advance, ensuring that temperature compensation is already in place when writing operations begin, thereby shortening actual writing time without significantly increasing manufacturing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The temperature detection module and calibration system are integrated into the memory device itself, allowing the device to autonomously monitor and adjust for temperature effects without requiring external calibration equipment or complex manufacturing processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

The temperature detection module effectively prevents memory chip operation at low temperatures, shortens writing time, and enhances writing stability by ensuring accurate temperature detection and calibration, without occupying significant area on the memory chip.

Implementation Method 1

a temperature sensitive unit arranged on the memory chip to detect a temperature of the memory chip

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature sensing through resistance measurement: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentEP3965105B1Calibration of temperature detection module in semiconductor memory comprising a plurality of memory chips
Publication Date: 2024.02.07 CHANGXIN MEMORY TECH INC
  • EP3965105B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3965105B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3965105B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

A semiconductor device is provided, comprising multiple memory chips and a temperature detection module. The temperature detection circuit comprises: multiple temperature sensitive units, arranged on the memory chips to detect temperatures of the memory chips; and a processing unit. The multiple temperature sensitive units share the processing unit with each other. The processing unit is configured to process a signal of at least one of the temperature sensitive units. The processing unit comprises a calibration value memory cell and a calibration unit. The calibration value memory cell is configured to store a calibration value corresponding to the temperature sensitive unit. The calibration unit is configured to calibrate the temperature sensitive unit according to the calibration value. According to the application, the temperature detected by the temperature detection module provides a reference for starting and running of the memory chip, so that the memory chip is prevented from being started and run at a low temperature, and the writing stability of the memory chip is improved. In addition, in the application, the temperature sensitive units share the processing unit with each other, so that the temperature detection module occupies a small area. Moreover, the temperature sensitive unit may be calibrated accurately, so that the measurement accuracy is improved.