Core Voltage Generator Mute Unit Leakage Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional core voltage generators consume unnecessary power even when they do not generate the core voltage due to current leakage through PMOS transistors, which is not effectively interrupted.

Innovation Solution

A core voltage generator design that includes a comparison unit, an amplification unit, a mute unit, and control switch units to compare a reference voltage with a feedback core voltage, amplify the external power supply voltage, and maintain the output terminal voltage at a ground level when the core voltage is not generated, thereby preventing current flow through the half core voltage generation unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the core voltage generator uses PMOS transistors in the half core voltage generation unit, then the core voltage can be generated and distributed, but current leakage occurs through the PMOS transistors even when core voltage generation is interrupted, causing unnecessary power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidinterruption of core voltage output

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the problematic PMOS transistors from the half core voltage generation unit and replaces them with NMOS transistors. This extraction of the harmful element (PMOS transistors causing leakage) and replacement with a suitable alternative (NMOS transistors) effectively eliminates the current leakage issue while maintaining the core voltage generation function, thereby resolving the contradiction between energy loss and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the key parameter of transistor type from PMOS to NMOS in the half core voltage generation unit. This parameter change fundamentally alters the electrical characteristics, eliminating the leakage current problem that occurs with PMOS transistors when interrupted, thus reducing unnecessary power consumption while maintaining reliable voltage generation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the PMOS transistors are used to generate half core voltage, then voltage distribution is achieved, but the voltage level at the core voltage output terminal cannot be maintained at ground level when generation is interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage level controlVSAvoidcurrent leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the inherent characteristic of NMOS transistors (which naturally maintain ground level when off) into a beneficial feature. By using NMOS transistors instead of PMOS, the circuit automatically maintains the output terminal at ground level when generation is interrupted, preventing current leakage and eliminating the need for additional control mechanisms, thus turning a potential limitation into an advantage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS7816977B2Core voltage generator

Publication Date: 2010.10.19 SK HYNIX INC

AI summary

Core voltage generator including a comparison unit configured to compare a reference voltage with a feedback core voltage to output a difference between the reference voltage and the feedback core voltage, an amplification unit configured to output a core voltage by amplifying an external power supply voltage according to an output signal of the comparison unit and a mute unit configured to maintain a voltage level of an output terminal of the amplification unit at a ground voltage level when the output of the core voltage is interrupted.