Initialization Signal Generation Circuit for Semiconductor Power-Up Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Semiconductor devices malfunction due to unstable external voltage levels during power-up, causing interruptions in internal operations as they execute tasks while the external voltage signal increases to a target voltage.

Innovation Solution

An initialization signal generation circuit with a control signal generator and initialization signal driver, which detects external voltage levels and generates a control signal to drive an initialization signal, ensuring stable operation by configuring internal nodes before normal operation begins, using a combination of passive elements and transistors to manage voltage levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the semiconductor device executes internal operations while the external voltage signal increases to a target voltage, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to unstable voltage levels causing malfunctions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexecution of internal operationsVSAvoidstable operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by detecting the voltage level before internal operations commence and generating an initialization signal in advance. The control signal generator monitors the external voltage signal and activates the initialization signal driver when the voltage reaches a predetermined level, ensuring that internal circuits are properly initialized before operational tasks begin, thus preventing malfunctions due to unstable voltage conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback through the control signal generator that continuously monitors the external voltage signal level and adjusts the generation of control signals accordingly. When the voltage reaches the target level, the feedback mechanism triggers the initialization signal, creating a closed-loop control system that ensures operations only proceed when voltage stability conditions are met

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the semiconductor device waits for the external voltage to reach a stable level before operation, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases due to delayed operation start

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestable operationVSAvoidtime to start operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by preparing the initialization signal in advance when the external voltage reaches a predetermined level, rather than waiting for complete voltage stabilization. The control signal generator detects the voltage threshold and proactively generates the initialization signal, allowing the device to begin operations as soon as minimum voltage requirements are met, thus reducing idle time while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making the operation start condition adaptive rather than static. Instead of waiting for a fixed voltage threshold, the system dynamically monitors the external voltage signal and transitions to operational mode as soon as the voltage reaches a suitable level, optimizing the balance between early operation start and stable voltage conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If the initialization signal is driven early before the external voltage reaches the initial level, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional control circuits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveearly execution of initialization operationsVSAvoidcontrol signal generation circuit

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the control signal generation into distinct functional modules: a control signal generator that monitors voltage levels and an initialization signal driver that activates internal circuits. This modular segmentation allows the system to independently manage voltage detection and signal generation functions, enabling early initialization operations while maintaining manageable circuit complexity through functional decomposition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements universality by designing the control signal generator to perform multiple functions: monitoring external voltage levels, determining when to activate the initialization signal, and coordinating with the initialization signal driver. This multi-functional approach consolidates control logic into a single versatile component, reducing overall device complexity while enabling early and accurate initialization timing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9507361B2Initialization signal generation circuits and semiconductor devices including the same

Publication Date: 2016.11.29 SK HYNIX INC

AI summary

The initialization signal generation circuit includes a first driver and a second driver. The first driver includes at least one passive element and drives an initialization signal while a level of an external voltage signal reaches an initial level. The second driver drives the initialization signal in response to a control signal from a point of time that a level of the external voltage signal reaches the initial level.