Data Input Circuit Pull-Up Level Adjustment for Memory Current Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current semiconductor memory devices face challenges in reducing current consumption and size while maintaining effective data input operations, which affects their electrical characteristics and integration density.
Innovation Solution
A data input circuit is designed with a data latch unit, data signal generation unit, first and second drive units that adjust the pull-up levels of input/output data lines in response to latch signals and data input control signals, reducing current consumption and optimizing the electrical characteristics of semiconductor memory devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional data input circuits are used, then data input operations can be performed, but current consumption is high and device size is large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of pull-up levels for input/output data lines based on data input control signals. The drive units can operate in different modes (first mode with standard pull-up levels, second mode with reduced pull-up levels) to optimize current consumption during different operational phases, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining functionality and reducing energy usage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical parameters (pull-up levels) of the data lines dynamically. By adjusting the pull-up level from standard to reduced levels based on control signals, the circuit optimizes its electrical characteristics to reduce current consumption while maintaining necessary data input functionality, addressing the energy consumption issue without sacrificing operational capability
2Productivity
If conventional data input circuits are used, then data input operations can be performed, but device size is large reducing integration density
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple components into integrated drive units that can dynamically adjust pull-up levels. The first and second drive units are integrated with the data latch unit and data signal generation unit to form a compact data input circuit that achieves both functionality and size reduction, thereby improving integration density
Solution Approach 2:
The drive units are designed with multi-functionality, capable of operating in different modes (first mode for standard operation, second mode for low-power operation) based on control signals. This universal design allows a single circuit structure to handle multiple operational requirements, reducing the need for separate dedicated circuits and thereby decreasing overall device size
Data Source
AI summary
A data input circuit may include a data latch unit suitable for latching input data as latch data in response to first and second latch signals; a data signal generation unit suitable for outputting first and second data signals corresponding to the latch data; a first drive unit suitable for pulling up or down a first input/output data line of an input/output data line pair in response to the first and second data signals; and a second drive unit suitable for pulling up or down a second input/output data line of the input/output data line pair in response to the first and second data signals, wherein the first and second drive units adjust pull-up levels of the first and second input/output data lines in response to a data input control signal.