Low Power Protection Circuit for DRAM Voltage Pump Runaway
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional DRAM voltage pump circuits often experience runaway conditions due to uncontrolled variations in dual operating voltages, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A low power protection circuit comprising a first voltage detector, a pulse generating circuit, an SR latch, and an output logic operation circuit that generates a pump enable signal based on the detected voltage levels of dual operating voltages, preventing the voltage pump circuit from going runaway by enabling or disabling its operation accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If dual operating voltages are used in DRAM to improve efficiency, then power efficiency is improved, but voltage pump circuit runaway occurs when voltage levels are uncoordinated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where voltage detectors continuously monitor the levels of first and second operating voltages, and the protection circuit adjusts the pump enable signal based on these detections. When voltage levels are uncoordinated (one voltage reaches stable level while the other drops too low), the feedback loop automatically disables the voltage pump circuit to prevent runaway, thus maintaining reliability while preserving the dual voltage efficiency benefit
Solution Approach 2:
The protection circuit performs preliminary detection of voltage levels before the voltage pump circuit operates. By detecting whether both first and second operating voltages are within valid ranges beforehand, the circuit preemptively enables or disables the pump circuit to avoid runaway conditions, ensuring safe operation from the start
2Productivity
If voltage pump circuit operates with uncoordinated voltage levels, then power efficiency is improved, but harmful runaway conditions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful situation of uncoordinated voltage levels into a beneficial control mechanism. The protection circuit detects voltage level discrepancies and uses them as control signals to enable or disable the pump circuit appropriately. What could be harmful (uncoordinated voltages) becomes the basis for intelligent control, preventing runaway while allowing operation under valid voltage conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The protection circuit acts as an intermediary between the dual operating voltages and the voltage pump circuit. It receives inputs from both voltage sources through detectors, processes this information, and generates an appropriate pump enable signal. This intermediary layer isolates the pump circuit from direct exposure to uncoordinated voltage conditions, preventing harmful effects
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
Effectively controls the voltage pump circuit to prevent runaway situations, ensuring stable operation and preventing damage by managing voltage variations, thus enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the DRAM.
Implementation Method 1
The first voltage detector receives a power-up signal and generates a high-voltage pump enable signal by detecting a voltage level of the power-up signal
Implementation Method 2
The second voltage detector receives the output signal and generates a low-voltage pump enable signal by detecting a voltage level of the output signal
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides the low power protection circuit including a first voltage detector, a pulse generating circuit, a SR latch, and an output logic operation circuit. The low power protection circuit is adapted for a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) with dual operating voltages. The first voltage detector generates a high-voltage pump enable signal by detecting a voltage level of the power-up signal. The pulse generating circuit generates a power-up pulse according to the power-up signal. The SR latch receives the power-up pulse, the high-voltage pump enable signal and an inverted power-up signal, and generates an output signal. The second voltage detector generates a low-voltage pump enable signal by detecting a voltage level of the output signal. The output logic operation circuit generates a pump enable signal according to the low-voltage pump enable signal and the high-voltage pump enable signal.