Global Wordline Decoder Segmentation for Chip Area Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current semiconductor devices face challenges in reducing chip size due to the complexity and area requirements of global word line decoders, which include numerous switches and lines, leading to increased chip area and manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor device with a decoder that includes a voltage switching unit and a plane switching unit, where the voltage switching unit decodes operating voltages to produce selected and unselected voltages, and the plane switching unit swaps and outputs these voltages to global word lines, reducing the number of switches and lines needed, thereby minimizing chip area and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional global word line decoder with numerous switches and lines is used, then the decoder can provide comprehensive voltage control to global word lines, but the chip area increases and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The decoder is divided into a voltage switching unit and a plane switching unit, each handling specific voltage switching tasks. The voltage switching unit manages selected and unselected voltages, while the plane switching unit handles plane-specific voltage distribution, reducing the overall complexity and area requirement
Solution Approach 2:
The plane switching unit is designed to swap and output voltages to multiple global word lines across different planes using a unified structure. This multi-functional design allows a single unit to serve multiple planes, reducing the need for separate decoding circuits for each plane
2Reliability
If a conventional global word line decoder with numerous switches and lines is used, then the decoder can provide comprehensive voltage control to global word lines, but the manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the decoder into specialized units with clear functional divisions, the manufacturing process becomes more standardized and predictable, reducing variability and cost
Solution Approach 2:
The plane switching unit combines multiple voltage switching functions into a single integrated structure, reducing the total number of discrete components and interconnections, thereby simplifying manufacturing and reducing costs
3Area of stationary object
If the number of switches and lines in the global word line decoder is reduced, then the chip area decreases, but the voltage control capability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage switching unit performs preliminary voltage selection and preparation before the plane switching unit distributes voltages to specific planes. This preliminary action ensures that voltage control capability is maintained while using fewer components in the final distribution stage
Solution Approach 2:
The plane switching unit acts as an intermediary that efficiently routes pre-prepared voltages from the voltage switching unit to the appropriate global word lines. This intermediary structure enables compact design while preserving voltage control capability through intelligent routing
Data Source
AI summary
A global word line decoder may include a voltage switching unit and a plane switching unit. The voltage switching unit may decode a plurality of operating voltages to output a selected voltage and an unselected voltage, and the plane switching unit may receive the selected voltage and the unselected voltage, and decode the selected voltage and the unselected voltage to output decoded voltages to a global word line coupled to a selected plane, among a plurality of planes. The selected voltage may include a first pre-decoded voltage and a second pre-decoded voltage, and the plane switching unit may swap and output the first pre-decoded voltage and the second pre-decoded voltage according to a position of a selected word line.