Current Control Circuit for Semiconductor Memory Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Semiconductor memory devices, such as DRAM, experience unnecessary current consumption due to off-leakage current and transistor turn-on current during idle or power-down modes, which increases energy consumption and reduces efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A current control device that includes an input controller, a drive unit, and a current controller to selectively provide a ground voltage to an inverter unit based on a pull-down driving signal, preventing ground voltage supply during power-down mode and reducing standby and turn-on currents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the inverter unit continuously receives ground voltage to maintain operational readiness, then the device can respond quickly to activation signals, but standby current and turn-on current increase unnecessarily during idle and power-down modes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the ground voltage connection to the inverter unit by introducing a pull-down switching unit. This switching unit dynamically connects or disconnects the ground voltage based on the operational state (active, idle, or power-down mode), allowing the system to adapt its power consumption characteristics to match the current operational requirements while maintaining fast response capability when needed.
2Reliability
If transistors remain in turn-on status during idle status to maintain circuit readiness, then the device can quickly resume operation, but unnecessary current consumption occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by maintaining the inverter unit's circuit structure and connectivity in readiness状态, while using the pull-down switching unit to preemptively disconnect the ground voltage during idle and power-down modes. This allows the circuit to resume operation quickly by simply reconnecting the ground voltage through the switching unit, without requiring transistors to remain continuously turned on, thus eliminating unnecessary current consumption while preserving quick resume capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A current control device is disclosed, which reduces a standby current of a semiconductor memory device and a turn-on current of a transistor. The current control device includes an input controller configured to combine a trigger signal and a set signal controlling a circuit operation status, and a drive unit configured to drive an output signal of the input controller, wherein the drive unit includes a current controller for selectively providing a ground voltage in response to an activation status of a pull-down driving signal.