eFuse Soft Error Correction via Safety Control Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic fuse (eFuse) devices in electronic circuits are prone to soft errors due to single-event upsets (SEU) in registers, which can lead to malfunctions and safety concerns, especially in critical systems like vehicle systems.
Innovation Solution
The proposed eFuse device includes an eFuse, a readout circuit, a first register, and a safety control device. The readout circuit reads target data from the eFuse and stores it in both the register and the safety control device. The safety control device compares the data from the readout circuit with the data in the register to detect soft errors, and upon detection, it triggers the readout circuit to re-read the data from the eFuse and update both the register and the safety control device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If data is stored in a register for power saving, then power consumption is reduced, but soft errors occur due to SEU in the register
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a safety control device that proactively monitors and detects soft errors in the register before they cause system malfunction. The control device continuously checks the data in the register and, upon detecting an error, triggers a re-read operation to correct the error before it affects system operation, thus maintaining data integrity while keeping the register-based power saving mechanism in place
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where the safety control device monitors the register data, detects soft errors, and triggers corrective actions. The control device receives feedback about the data state, processes this information to detect errors, and initiates re-read operations when needed, creating a closed-loop system that maintains reliability without sacrificing power efficiency
2Reliability
If previous protection mechanisms are used to reduce SEU occurrence probability, then error prevention is partially achieved, but soft errors cannot be completely avoided and real-time repair is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the safety control device automatically detects soft errors and triggers re-read operations to correct errors without requiring external intervention or system shutdown. The system monitors its own data integrity, detects errors autonomously, and performs self-correction by re-reading data from the eFuse, enabling real-time error repair while maintaining system operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces passive protection mechanisms with an active electronic monitoring and correction system. Instead of relying solely on physical or architectural protections against SEU, the system uses an electronic safety control device that actively monitors data, detects errors through comparison or validation, and triggers automated re-read operations, substituting mechanical/pro passive protection with electronic active correction
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides an electronic fuse (eFuse) device and an operation method thereof. The eFuse device includes an eFuse, a readout circuit, a register, and a safety control device. The readout circuit reads out target data recorded by the eFuse to the register and the safety control device. The safety control device compares the target data provided by the readout circuit with the target data provided by the register to determine whether a soft error occurs in the target data stored in the register. When the soft error occurs in the target data stored in the register, the readout circuit reads out the target data recorded by the eFuse again to the register and the safety control device.