FinFET Driver Circuit Drivability Control via Series-Parallel Transistor Groups
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Solution Overview
Problem
Semiconductor integrated circuits with fin transistors face limitations in drivability control due to fixed gate width and length, restricting flexibility and performance when trying to adjust the number of transistors connected in parallel.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor integrated circuit design that includes multiple groups of fin transistors with the same gate length and width, where each group has a different number of series-connected transistors, allowing for adjustable drivability by connecting these groups in parallel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If transistors have fixed gate width and length, then manufacturing precision is improved, but drivability control flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The transistor gate is segmented into multiple fins, where the number of fins can be varied to adjust drivability while maintaining uniform fin dimensions. This allows the circuit to achieve different drivability levels using only series/parallel connections of transistors with identical fin structures, thus preserving manufacturing precision while gaining design flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the topological parameter (number of transistors in series/parallel) rather than the geometric parameter (gate width/length) to control drivability. By varying the number of transistors connected in series or parallel, the circuit achieves adjustable drivability while all individual transistors maintain fixed, uniform dimensions suitable for precise manufacturing.
2Power
If the number of transistors in parallel is increased to increase drivability, then device complexity increases, but this approach is limited to integral multiplication of minimum drivability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a dynamic drivability control mechanism where transistors can be selectively activated or deactivated based on circuit needs. By using series/parallel configurations with controlled switching, the effective drivability becomes adjustable rather than fixed, allowing optimization of the balance between drivability and device complexity for different operating conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a driver circuit including a first group of transistors provided between first and second nodes and including n of the transistor(s) where n is equal to or greater than one, and a second group of transistors provided in parallel with the first group of transistors and including m of the transistor(s) where m is equal to or greater than one and not equal to n, the m transistors being connected together in series. The n-channel transistor in the first group and at least one of the two n-channel transistors in the second group have their gate connected to an input node.