Flash Memory Voltage Generator Series Trimming Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing voltage generators for flash memory face challenges in preventing punch-through breakdown in switch components during voltage trimming, leading to inaccurate voltage locking and increased circuit area due to parallel resistor connections.
Innovation Solution
A voltage generator with multiple voltage trimming circuits connected in series, using trimming codes to control voltage levels and prevent excessive voltage on switch components, allowing for correct voltage locking and reduced circuit area through voltage division.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single voltage trimming circuit is used with a switch component, then voltage trimming can be performed, but the switch may experience excessive cross voltage causing punch-through breakdown and inaccurate voltage locking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single voltage trimming circuit into multiple voltage trimming circuits connected in series. Each circuit handles a portion of the total voltage range, ensuring that the switch component in each circuit experiences only a manageable voltage difference (e.g., 0-3V per stage instead of 0-9V total). This segmentation prevents punch-through breakdown while maintaining accurate voltage locking through coordinated operation of all stages.
2Adaptability or versatility
If feedback resistors are divided into smaller resistors connected in parallel to switches for programmable voltage, then voltage programmability is achieved, but the circuit area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the voltage trimming function into multiple independent circuits operating in series. Each circuit uses its own feedback resistor and switch, eliminating the need for multiple parallel resistors connected to a single switch. This approach achieves voltage programmability through series coordination while significantly reducing the total circuit area compared to parallel configurations.
3Reliability
If multiple voltage trimming circuits are connected in series with voltage division, then punch-through breakdown is prevented and voltage locking accuracy is improved, but the circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the voltage trimming function into multiple identical or similar circuit stages connected in series. Each stage uses the same basic components (operational amplifier, feedback resistor, switch, capacitor) but operates on a segmented portion of the total voltage range. This modular segmentation achieves accurate voltage locking while keeping individual circuit blocks simple and manageable, with the overall complexity distributed across multiple identical units rather than concentrated in a single complex circuit.
Data Source
AI summary
A voltage generator and a flash memory thereof are provided. The voltage generator is used to provide a work reference voltage having a plurality of reference levels to a word line decoder circuit and includes a plurality of voltage trimming circuits. The voltage trimming circuits are connected in series between the work reference voltage and a ground voltage and respectively receive a trimming code, wherein the voltage levels of the work reference voltages are controlled by the trimming codes received by the voltage trimming circuits to select one of the reference levels.