LDO Feedback Circuit for Near-Far Voltage Drop in Memory Macros
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of a shared and centralized LDO regulator in semiconductor devices leads to voltage drops across different macros due to wire resistance, causing near-far effects and reduced write performance in memory devices.
Innovation Solution
A location-aware feedback loop in the LDO voltage regulator circuit dynamically monitors and adjusts the output voltage at each macro connection node, using a feedback circuit to maintain stable voltage levels by comparing instantaneous voltage with a reference level and adjusting the source current accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a shared and centralized LDO regulator is used for multiple memory macros, then area is saved, but wire resistance increases causing voltage drop and near-far effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single centralized LDO regulator into multiple distributed LDO regulators, each serving a specific memory macro. This segmentation eliminates the long interconnect wires between the centralized LDO and distant macros, thereby reducing wire resistance and voltage drop while maintaining area efficiency through integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local voltage regulation by placing an LDO regulator within or near each memory macro. This local quality approach ensures that each macro receives stable voltage from its own dedicated regulator, eliminating the near-far effects caused by distributed wiring in centralized designs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of connected macros increases, then functionality is improved, but wire resistance increases causing worse voltage drop
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the voltage regulation function across multiple independent LDO regulators, each handling a subset of macros. This allows the system to scale to support more macros without proportionally increasing wire resistance, as each LDO serves only its local macros with short interconnects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-point centralized regulation model to a distributed multi-point regulation model. This dimensional change in the regulation architecture allows multiple macros to be served with minimal voltage drop by creating multiple local regulation nodes throughout the memory array.
Data Source
AI summary
A voltage regulator circuit is provided. The voltage regulator circuit includes a voltage regulator configured to provide an output voltage at an output terminal. A plurality of macros are connectable at a plurality of connection nodes of a connector connected to the output terminal of the voltage regulator. A feedback circuit having a plurality of feedback loops is connectable to the plurality of connection nodes. The feedback loop of the plurality of feedback loops, when connected to a connection node of the plurality of connection nodes, is configured to provide an instantaneous voltage of the connection node as feedback to the voltage regulator. The voltage regulator is configured, in response to the instantaneous voltage, regulate the output voltage to maintain the instantaneous voltage of the connection node approximately equal to a reference voltage.