Internal Voltage Generating Circuit for Stable High Voltage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional internal voltage generating circuits in semiconductor memory devices face instability and long response times in maintaining high voltage levels, particularly when large currents are dissipated during word line activation and deactivation, leading to noise in cell data and reduced operational reliability.
Innovation Solution
The proposed internal voltage generating circuit includes a charge pump unit, a pumping control signal generating unit, and a supply driving control unit that generates high voltage by pumping external voltage in response to specific control signals, without relying on level detection, ensuring stable high voltage supply by anticipating and meeting current demands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If level detection and oscillation control are used to maintain high voltage, then voltage stability is improved, but response time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supply driving control unit activates the charge pump in advance based on detection signals from word line control circuits, before the actual high voltage is needed. This preliminary action ensures that when large currents are dissipated during word line activation, the high voltage is already available, thus reducing response time while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The level detector continuously monitors the high voltage level and provides feedback to the supply driving control unit. This feedback mechanism allows the system to detect when voltage levels are dropping and activate the charge pump promptly, balancing response time with voltage stability maintenance.
2Loss of energy
If charge pump is activated late to maintain voltage levels, then energy consumption is reduced, but voltage stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The charge pump is activated in advance based on prediction of current demand from word line operations, rather than waiting for voltage to drop. This timing optimization ensures the charge pump runs only when necessary, reducing energy consumption while maintaining voltage stability during high-current periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The supply driving control unit dynamically adjusts the charge pump activation timing based on real-time detection signals from word line control circuits. This dynamic control allows the system to optimize between energy consumption and voltage stability by activating the charge pump precisely when current demand increases.
3Measurement precision
If conventional level detection circuit is used, then voltage monitoring is achieved, but response speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of waiting for the level detector to confirm voltage drop before activating the charge pump, the system uses detection signals from word line control circuits to predict when high voltage will be needed and activates the charge pump in advance. This eliminates the delay inherent in conventional level detection while maintaining accurate voltage monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The supply driving control unit acts as an intermediary that receives detection signals from word line control circuits and uses them to trigger charge pump activation. This intermediary approach allows the system to respond faster than conventional level detection by using predictive signals rather than waiting for voltage threshold crossings.
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
This approach reduces response time and maintains stable high voltage levels, enhancing operational reliability by supplying high voltage before significant current consumption occurs, thus minimizing noise and improving drivability.
Implementation Method 1
a charge pump unit for generating a high voltage being higher than an external voltage in response to pumping control signals and a supply driving control signal
Data Source
AI summary
There is an internal voltage generating circuit for providing a stable high voltage by making a response time short. The internal voltage generating circuit includes a charge pump unit for generate a high voltage being higher than an external voltage in response to pumping control signals and a supply driving control signal; a pumping control signal generating unit for outputting the pumping control signals to the charge pump unit based on a driving signal; and a supply driving control unit for receiving the driving signal to generate the supply driving control signal to the charge pump unit.