Flash Memory Voltage Supply Circuit Reducing Current Consumption
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional voltage supply circuits in flash memory devices consume high current due to the need for multiple pump circuits and capacitors to generate high voltages, leading to increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A voltage supply circuit that includes a clock generator, negative voltage pump, level shifter, clock controller with inverters, and a pump group, which generates high voltage using clock signals between a power source and ground voltage, reducing current consumption by eliminating the need for external power to invert clock signals between 0V and the power source voltage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multiple pump circuits and capacitors are used to generate high voltage, then the high voltage generation capability is improved, but the current consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic clock signals to control the pump circuits, where capacitors are periodically charged and discharged to generate high voltage. This periodic action allows the system to achieve high voltage generation capability while managing current consumption through timing-controlled operation rather than continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump circuits are designed to automatically charge and discharge their internal capacitors using the clock signals, eliminating the need for external control circuits. The capacitors themselves serve as both energy storage elements and timing elements, reducing the need for additional active components that would increase current consumption.
2Device complexity
If external power is used to invert clock signals between 0V and power source voltage, then the clock signal generation is simplified, but the current consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the power source voltage itself as the reference potential for clock signal inversion. By establishing equipotential relationships between different nodes in the circuit, the system can invert clock signals without requiring additional external power sources, thereby reducing current consumption while maintaining circuit simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate nodes and capacitors that act as mediators in the clock signal inversion process. These intermediaries transfer energy and signals between different voltage levels without requiring direct external power intervention, reducing the overall current consumption while maintaining the inversion function.
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 solution reduces overall current consumption by minimizing the current required to generate clock signals for the pump circuit, thereby lowering power usage in the voltage supply circuit.
Implementation Method 1
the pump circuits 121 to 124 of the pump group 120 include respective capacitors (not shown). Furthermore, the capacitors of the pump circuits 121 to 124 are repeatedly charged and discharged in response to the first and second clock signals CK and CKb in order to pump voltage.
Implementation Method 2
The first and second inverters A1 and B1 pull up the first and second clock signals CK and CKb to the power source voltage VCC or pull down the first and second clock signals CK and CKb to the ground voltage VSS.
Data Source
AI summary
A voltage supply circuit includes, inter alia, a clock generator, a negative voltage pump, a level shifter, a clock controller, and a pump circuit. The clock generator generates a first clock swinging between a positive voltage and a ground voltage. The negative voltage pump generates a negative voltage. A level shifter shifts the first clock by the negative voltage to output a second clock swinging between the negative voltage and the ground voltage. The clock controller generates a third clock by inverting the second clock and also generates a fourth clock by inverting the third clock. The pump circuit generates a high voltage according to the third and fourth clocks.