Dual-Oscillator Voltage Detection for Temperature-Stable Semiconductors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing semiconductor devices with voltage detecting circuits face challenges in accurately detecting power source voltage due to significant temperature drift and process variations, leading to increased power consumption and limited detection range.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor device is designed with two ring oscillators having different temperature dependencies, a count unit to combine their outputs, and an arithmetic unit to calculate and compare count values with threshold values, allowing for interpolation and extrapolation calculations to enhance detection accuracy and range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If multiple ring oscillators with different temperature dependencies are used to reduce temperature drift, then temperature stability is improved, but the number of oscillators increases leading to increased area and power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The oscillating unit is divided into multiple independent oscillators (first oscillator and second oscillator) with different temperature dependencies. Each oscillator operates independently and contributes to the overall temperature compensation, allowing the system to achieve temperature stability without requiring a single complex oscillator
Solution Approach 2:
The outputs of multiple oscillators are combined in the count unit, and their count values are processed together in the arithmetic unit. This merging of multiple oscillator outputs allows the system to leverage the temperature compensation effects of each oscillator while sharing common circuitry for counting and processing, reducing overall power consumption compared to operating separate detection circuits
2Stability of the object's composition
If multiple ring oscillators with different temperature dependencies are used to reduce temperature drift, then temperature stability is improved, but the circuit area occupied by the oscillating unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The oscillating unit is segmented into multiple oscillators with different temperature characteristics, allowing each oscillator to be optimized for specific temperature ranges while sharing common support circuitry
Solution Approach 2:
The count unit and arithmetic unit serve multiple functions: they process outputs from both the first and second oscillators, perform different calculation methods (first calculation method and second calculation method), and generate multiple detected result signals. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate circuits for each oscillator, thereby reducing overall circuit area
3Measurement precision
If fine adjustment is performed to improve detection accuracy between oscillators, then detection precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-adjustment through the arithmetic unit that automatically calculates count values from both oscillators using different calculation methods and compares them against threshold values. The determining unit generates detected result signals based on these comparisons, enabling the system to adapt to process variations and temperature changes without requiring external fine-adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by using different calculation methods (first calculation method and second calculation method) in the arithmetic unit to process oscillator outputs. This allows dynamic adaptation to different temperature conditions and process variations, improving detection accuracy through parameter variation rather than physical fine-adjustment
4Stability of the object's composition
If the number of oscillators is increased to cover large characteristic differences, then temperature stability is improved, but the overhead of power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple oscillators share common support circuitry including the count unit, arithmetic unit, and determining unit. This merging allows the system to achieve temperature stability through multiple oscillators while significantly reducing the power consumption overhead that would result from having separate detection circuits for each oscillator
Solution Approach 2:
The first oscillator and second oscillator operate continuously and simultaneously, providing continuous temperature compensation. Their outputs are continuously processed by the count unit and arithmetic unit, ensuring uninterrupted voltage detection with improved temperature stability without the need to switch between different oscillator configurations
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor device 1 includes: a first oscillator 11_RC1 configured to operate at a detected voltage, the first oscillator having first temperature dependency; a second oscillator 11_RC4 configured to operate at the detected voltage, the second oscillator having second temperature dependency; a count unit configured to count an output of the first oscillator and an output of the second oscillator, the output of the first oscillator and the output of the second oscillator being supplied to the count unit; an arithmetic unit configured to calculate a count value CNT (T1) of the first oscillator and a count value CNT (T4) of the second oscillator, the count values of the first and second oscillators being counted by the count unit; and a determining unit configured to compare an output of the arithmetic unit with a threshold value to output a detected result signal corresponding to a result of the comparison.