Multi-Voltage Generator for Flash Memory with Dynamic Voltage Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flash memory devices require a high voltage generator that produces a fixed high voltage level regardless of the program or read voltage levels, leading to unnecessary power consumption and the need for trimming operations to adjust voltage levels, which increases complexity and area usage.
Innovation Solution
A multi-voltage generator that includes high voltage pumping units, voltage regulators, and a selector to generate and adjust high, program, and read voltages based on operation modes, using charge pumping operations and NMOS transistors to ensure voltages are optimized for each operation, reducing unnecessary power consumption and eliminating the need for trimming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed high voltage generator is used to ensure sufficient voltage for all operations, then voltage reliability is improved, but power consumption increases and device area expands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic voltage generation by using a voltage regulator that adjusts the high voltage output based on feedback from voltage detection circuits. The system transitions from fixed voltage generation to dynamic adjustment, pumping voltage only until threshold is exceeded and maintaining it within required ranges, thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption while ensuring voltage reliability for different operations (program, read, erase).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the voltage parameter dynamically by using detection circuits to monitor voltage levels and control circuits to adjust pumping duration and regulator settings. This allows the high voltage to be generated at different levels (e.g., 20V for program, 5V for read) rather than always at maximum level, resolving the contradiction between reliability and power consumption.
2Reliability
If a fixed high voltage generator is used to ensure sufficient voltage for all operations, then voltage reliability is improved, but device area increases due to trimming circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service voltage regulation where the system uses its own output voltage to generate feedback signals for control. The detection circuits monitor the generated voltage and automatically control the pumping and regulation processes without external trimming circuits, eliminating the need for additional area-consuming trimming components while maintaining voltage reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces feedback mechanisms where voltage detection circuits continuously monitor the high voltage output and feed this information back to control circuits. This feedback loop enables automatic voltage adjustment and eliminates the need for external trimming circuits, resolving the contradiction between reliability and device area.
3Manufacturing precision
If separate voltage generators are used for high voltage, program voltage, and read voltage, then voltage precision for each operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal high voltage generator that can serve multiple functions (program, read, erase operations) by incorporating a voltage regulator and control circuits. Instead of separate generators for each voltage type, a single multi-functional generator adjusts its output based on operation mode and voltage requirements, reducing device complexity while maintaining voltage precision through regulation and feedback control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of separate high voltage, program voltage, and read voltage generators into a single integrated voltage generation system. By combining these functions and using a regulator with feedback control, the system achieves the voltage precision of separate generators while reducing the complexity and area associated with multiple independent generators.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The multi-voltage generator efficiently generates voltages matching the operational requirements, reducing power consumption and area usage by only pumping voltages until they exceed the threshold, thus optimizing voltage levels for program and read operations without the need for trimming, leading to a more efficient and compact flash memory device.
Implementation Method 1
A multi-voltage generator that includes high voltage pumping units, voltage regulators, and a selector to generate and adjust high, program, and read voltages based on operation modes, using charge pumping operations and NMOS transistors
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a multi-voltage generator for a flash memory device including a high voltage pumping unit configured to generate a high voltage in response to an enable signal, voltage regulators, each regulator coupled to the high voltage and a control voltage and configured to generate a pumping signal, and a selector configured to select one of the pumping signals as the enable signal.