Graphene Inverter Diode Control for On/Off Ratio

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Solution Overview

Problem

The design of logic circuits using graphene transistors is limited due to their low on/off ratio compared to silicon transistors, which hampers the development of efficient inverter, NAND, and NOR devices.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of diode devices with control terminals connected to input terminals, anode terminals connected to logic high-level voltage, and cathode terminals connected to output terminals, allowing the diode devices to turn on or off based on voltage applied, along with resistive devices to manage current paths, enabling effective signal inversion and logic operations in inverter, NAND, and NOR devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If graphene transistors are used to design logic circuits, then information processing speed is significantly increased, but on/off ratio is considerably decreased compared to silicon transistors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation processing speedVSAvoidon/off ratio
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a control terminal as an intermediary element that mediates between the input signal and the graphene channel. By applying voltages to the control terminal, the conductance of the graphene channel can be precisely regulated, enabling effective on/off switching. This mediator approach allows the system to overcome graphene's inherent inability to provide high on/off ratio while maintaining its high-speed electron transport properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by applying different voltages to the control terminal to dynamically adjust the conductance state of the graphene channel. By varying the voltage parameter at the control terminal, the system can switch between high-conductance (on) and low-conductance (off) states, effectively controlling the on/off ratio without compromising the high-speed performance of graphene.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If diode devices with control terminals are added to achieve signal inversion and logic operations, then on/off ratio is enhanced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveon/off ratioVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the diode device with a control terminal that serves multiple functions: it controls the on/off state of the diode, enables signal inversion, and facilitates logic operations. This multi-functional design allows a single device structure to achieve several objectives, reducing the need for additional separate components and thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the diode device into distinct functional regions: a control terminal for voltage application, an anode terminal for input signal reception, and a cathode terminal for output signal delivery. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, making the enhanced on/off ratio achievable without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9130567B2Inverter device, NAND device, NOR device, and logic device including the same
Publication Date: 2015.09.08 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • US9130567B2 patent drawing
  • US9130567B2 patent drawing
  • US9130567B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An inverter device including a tunable diode device and a diode device that includes a control terminal connected to an input terminal of the inverter device, an anode terminal connected to a high-level voltage terminal, and a cathode terminal connected to an output terminal of the inverter device, wherein the diode device is configured to turn on or off according to a voltage applied to the control terminal.