Floating Gate Reference Circuit for Stable Voltage Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic systems face challenges in maintaining a stable supply voltage for analog circuitry, leading to inaccurate signal outputs or system non-operationality due to voltage variations, and current reference circuits are complex, difficult to control, and consume significant chip area.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a controllable voltage generator, system controller, and floating gate reference device that generates an absolute voltage reference by determining the power supply voltage level, using a tunneling device, storage capacitor, and output buffer to provide a stable voltage reference for analog circuitry, with a microcontroller controlling the voltage pump to manage power supply voltage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional absolute reference circuits (bandgap devices, zener diode, threshold voltage systems) are used to provide voltage reference, then a stable voltage reference can be obtained, but the circuit becomes complicated, difficult to control, and consumes large chip area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the floating gate reference device by dynamically adjusting the power supply voltage level. The system controller determines the voltage level associated with the power supply voltage and prompts the controllable voltage generator to generate the power supply voltage with the determined voltage level, enabling the floating gate reference device to generate the absolute voltage reference based on the controlled voltage level. This parameter-based control simplifies the circuit while maintaining reference stability.
2Reliability
If traditional absolute reference circuits are used to provide voltage reference, then a stable voltage reference can be obtained, but the circuit consumes large chip area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of voltage reference generation from the complex traditional circuits and implements it using a simplified floating gate reference device. By removing unnecessary circuit components and retaining only the critical floating gate structure with tunneling device, storage capacitor, and output buffer, the chip area is significantly reduced while maintaining the voltage reference stability function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If power supply voltage varies, then the electronic system can adapt to different operating conditions, but the analog circuitry produces inaccurate signal output or becomes non-operational
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where the system controller determines the voltage level associated with the power supply voltage and generates control signals to adjust the power supply voltage accordingly. The floating gate reference device generates the absolute voltage reference based on the controlled voltage level, creating a closed-loop system that maintains accurate analog circuit operation while adapting to different operating conditions through dynamic voltage adjustment.
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 system effectively maintains a stable absolute voltage reference over time, reducing the impact of environmental changes and optimizing analog circuit operations by dynamically controlling the power supply voltage, thus enhancing the reliability and efficiency of analog circuitry.
Implementation Method 1
The tunneling device can be a transistor with a bulk region, source region, and drain region connected to receive the power supply voltage, where the tunneling device is operable to provide the current to a gate region of the transistor when the power supply voltage exceeds a threshold voltage level.
Implementation Method 2
a storage capacitor to store a floating voltage when charged by the current from the tunneling device
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a controllable voltage generator to generate a power supply voltage. The system also includes a system controller to determine a voltage level associated with the power supply voltage, and prompt the controllable voltage generator to generate the power supply voltage. The system includes a floating gate reference device to generate an absolute voltage reference based, at least in part, on the voltage level associated with the power supply voltage. The system can also include analog circuitry to perform one or more electrical operations responsive to the absolute voltage reference from the floating gate reference device.