Logic Circuit Output Clamping for Smaller Power-Free Chips
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of a logic circuit and a power source circuit in the same chip leads to an increase in chip area, necessitating a solution to reduce space while maintaining efficient operation.
Innovation Solution
A logic circuit design incorporating a switch portion, clamp portion, and current suppression portion, where the clamp portion clamps the output signal voltage to a lower value than the power source voltage, allowing the logic circuit to operate without a separate power source circuit, and the current suppression portion manages current flow to reduce power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a power source circuit is integrated into the same chip as the logic circuit, then the logic circuit can be driven by the power source voltage, but the chip area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power source circuit from the logic circuit chip, allowing the logic circuit to be driven by an external power source voltage. This separation removes the power source circuit components from the chip, thereby reducing chip area while maintaining the logic circuit's drive capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into two independent parts: the logic circuit chip and the power source circuit. The logic circuit chip contains only the logic circuit that processes signals, while the power source circuit is implemented separately to generate and supply power. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and reduces the overall chip area
2Device complexity
If the clamp portion clamps the output signal voltage to a lower value than the power source voltage, then the logic circuit can operate without a separate power source circuit, but current suppression is required to reduce power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a current suppression portion as an intermediary component between the clamp portion and the logic circuit. This intermediary controls and limits the current flow to the clamp portion, preventing excessive power consumption while maintaining the voltage clamping function that simplifies the circuit configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the voltage parameter by clamping the output signal voltage to a lower value than the power source voltage. This parameter change allows the logic circuit to operate with reduced voltage swing, simplifying the circuit configuration while the current suppression portion simultaneously manages the resulting current flow to control power consumption
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a logic circuit comprising: a switch portion that includes one or more switching devices configured to be turned on and off in accordance with an input signal and is configured to generate an output signal with a logical value according to an operating state of the switching devices; and a clamp portion configured to clamp a voltage of the output signal, of a case where the logical value of the output signal is logic H. The switch portion may be arranged between an output line and a reference potential line, and the clamp portion may be arranged in parallel with the switch portion, between the output line and the reference potential line. The logic circuit may include a current suppression portion configured to suppress a current flowing through the clamp portion, when the logical value of the output signal is logic H.