Internal Voltage Regulator for IR Drop Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing length and slenderness of power lines within semiconductor chips lead to significant IR drop issues, affecting the normal operation of electronic apparatuses, such as causing memory data loss and non-uniform display brightness, especially in LPDDR DRAM where internal voltage regulation is challenging due to IR drop effects.
Innovation Solution
An internal voltage generating apparatus comprising a first and second power pad and a regulating unit, where the regulating unit detects if the internal voltage is lower than a threshold voltage and outputs a compensation current to the second power line to regulate the internal voltage, utilizing a threshold voltage generating unit, operational amplifier, and power transistors to mitigate IR drop effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If power lines are made longer and more slender to accommodate chip layout, then chip area utilization is improved, but IR drop increases causing voltage instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a regulating unit as an intermediary component between the power pads and the internal circuitry. This regulating unit includes an operational amplifier and transistors that actively monitor and adjust the internal voltage, compensating for IR drop effects without requiring changes to the power line physical layout.
Solution Approach 2:
The regulating unit implements a feedback mechanism where the operational amplifier continuously monitors the internal voltage and adjusts the compensation current accordingly. When voltage drops are detected, the system automatically increases compensation current to maintain stable internal voltage levels.
2Reliability
If dual-power supply is used to eliminate IR drop, then voltage stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The regulating unit serves multiple functions: it monitors internal voltage, generates compensation current, and adjusts power delivery dynamically. By consolidating these functions into a single integrated unit rather than separate dual-power supply systems, the patent reduces overall device complexity while maintaining voltage stability.
3Reliability
If regulator is added to maintain stable internal voltage, then voltage stability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The regulating unit operates in a periodic feedback manner rather than continuously. The operational amplifier periodically monitors the internal voltage and only activates compensation current when voltage drops are detected, reducing unnecessary power consumption during normal operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operational parameters based on actual voltage conditions. The compensation current magnitude is adjusted according to the detected voltage drop level, and the regulator enters low-power states when voltage stability is maintained, optimizing the balance between voltage stability and power consumption.
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 solution provides a stable internal voltage, preventing abnormal operations in electronic apparatuses by compensating for IR drop-induced voltage drops, thereby ensuring reliable operation while reducing power consumption through enable signal-controlled regulation.
Implementation Method 1
the operational amplifier includes a positive input terminal and a negative input terminal coupled to the threshold voltage generating unit and the second power line respectively
Implementation Method 2
the second power transistor and the first power transistor are connected in series between the first power line and the second power line, and a gate of the second power transistor is coupled to an output terminal of the operational amplifier
Implementation Method 3
the threshold voltage generating unit includes a first dividing resistor and a second dividing resistor. The second dividing resistor and the first dividing resistor are connected in series between the second power pad and a ground to divide the power voltage provided by the second power pad to generate the threshold voltage
Data Source
AI summary
An internal voltage generating apparatus is provided. A regulating unit detects whether an internal voltage is lower than a threshold voltage, and outputs a compensation current provided by a first power pad to a second power line connected with a second power pad when the internal voltage is lower than the threshold voltage, so as to regulate the internal voltage provided by the internal voltage generating apparatus.