Dual-Voltage DRAM Drive Circuit With Feedback Voltage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive circuits for dynamic random access memory (DRAM) face challenges in achieving both pull-up and pull-down capabilities while maintaining low power consumption and high accuracy of output voltage, as they either consume high power in high-voltage domains or lack pull-up capability in low-voltage domains.
Innovation Solution
A drive circuit design that includes an amplification module in a low-voltage domain, an output module in a high-voltage domain, and a feedback module connecting both domains to sample and adjust the output voltage, ensuring reduced power consumption and accurate voltage control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the drive circuit is provided to work in the high-voltage domain, then the pull-up capability and pull-down capability are met, but the power consumption is higher
Solution Approach 1:
The drive circuit is segmented into two voltage domains: a first voltage domain (low-voltage) for the amplification module and a second voltage domain (high-voltage) for the output module. This segmentation allows each module to operate at its optimal voltage level, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining the necessary drive capability in the high-voltage domain.
Solution Approach 2:
A connection module acts as an intermediary between the low-voltage amplification module and the high-voltage output module. This intermediary enables signal transmission across voltage domains, allowing the low-voltage module to control the high-voltage module, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining drive capability.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the drive circuit is provided to work in a low-voltage domain, then the power consumption is reduced, but the pull-up capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit is divided into functional segments operating at different voltage levels. The amplification module operates in the low-voltage domain to minimize power consumption, while the output module operates in the high-voltage domain to provide the necessary pull-up capability. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by assigning different functions to different voltage domains.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection module serves as an intermediary that enables the low-voltage amplification module to control the high-voltage output module. This intermediary mechanism allows the system to achieve both low power consumption and adequate pull-up capability by coordinating operations across voltage domains.
3Device complexity
If the drive circuit works in a single voltage domain, then the structure is simpler, but the output voltage accuracy is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The drive circuit is segmented into multiple voltage domains with dedicated modules for different functions. The amplification module in the low-voltage domain provides precise voltage control, while the output module in the high-voltage domain delivers the required output level. This segmentation improves output voltage accuracy while keeping each module's internal structure relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
A feedback module is introduced to sample the output voltage from the high-voltage domain and feed it back to the amplification module in the low-voltage domain. This feedback mechanism enables precise control of the output voltage by continuously monitoring and adjusting based on the actual output, thereby improving voltage accuracy without significantly increasing overall circuit complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A drive circuit and a memory chip are provided. The drive circuit includes: an amplification module, working under a first voltage domain; an output module, working under a second voltage domain, a power supply voltage of the second voltage domain being greater than a power supply voltage of the first voltage domain, and an output terminal of the output module being an output terminal of the drive circuit; a connection module, connected to an output terminal of the amplification module and an input terminal of the output module; and a feedback module, an input terminal of the feedback module being connected to the output terminal of the output module, and an output terminal of the feedback module being connected to an input terminal of the amplification module.