Data Strobe Signal Noise Protection in Semiconductor Integrated Circuits

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional semiconductor integrated circuits generate noise in data strobe signals during burst operations, leading to invalid data alignment and writing errors due to ringing, which affects data integrity on global data lines.

Innovation Solution

A data strobe signal noise protection apparatus and semiconductor integrated circuit that includes a transition protection unit and a controller to manage the data strobe signal transitions, using a control signal to short-circuit the signal with a node or decoupling capacitor, thereby preventing abnormal transitions and ensuring data integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a data strobe signal is generated during burst operation, then data writing function is improved, but ringing noise is generated causing data alignment errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata writing functionVSAvoiddata alignment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A transition protection unit is introduced as an intermediary component between the data strobe signal source and the data alignment circuitry. This unit includes a pass gate and a decoupling capacitor that work together to suppress ringing noise and protect signal transitions, thereby preventing data alignment errors while maintaining data writing functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The transition protection unit is activated in advance before the data strobe signal transitions to high impedance state. By applying the protection mechanism beforehand, the ringing noise is prevented from affecting the data alignment signals, ensuring clean transitions and accurate data alignment throughout the burst operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Ease of operation

If data strobe signal transitions to high impedance state, then signal control is improved, but ringing noise occurs affecting data integrity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal controlVSAvoidringing noise

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The decoupling capacitor in the transition protection unit utilizes the harmful ringing oscillation energy to charge itself during the transition process. This converted energy then helps to dampen the ringing effect and stabilize the signal transition, transforming the harmful oscillation into a beneficial damping mechanism that reduces noise

Inventive Principle:

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

Solution Approach 2:

The pass gate acts as a controlled intermediary that isolates the data strobe signal from the high impedance state during transitions. By mediating the transition process and working with the decoupling capacitor, it prevents ringing noise from propagating to the data alignment circuitry while maintaining proper signal control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS7990782B2Data strobe signal noise protection apparatus and semiconductor integrated circuit

Publication Date: 2011.08.02 SK HYNIX INC

AI summary

A data strobe signal noise prevention apparatus and semiconductor integrated circuit includes a transition protection unit configured to protect a transition of a data strobe signal in response to a control signal and a controller configured to determine when a burst operation completes and to generate the control signal.