Semiconductor Memory Data Output Circuit Signal Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional semiconductor memory apparatuses require a large number of signal lines for data output, which increases the area of the memory apparatus and can lead to instability due to clock skew issues.
Innovation Solution
A data output circuit that reduces the number of signal lines needed for data output by generating selection signals, output timing signals, and input control signals in response to a read command and clock, allowing parallel data to be sequentially output as serial data without relying on rising and falling clocks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional data output circuit uses rising clock and falling clock to sequentially output parallel data as serial data, then data output function is achieved, but the number of signal lines increases and area is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the rising clock and falling clock signals from the data output circuit, retaining only the essential clock signal. This removes unnecessary signal lines while preserving the core data output functionality through a simplified control mechanism that uses a single clock signal to drive the serial output of parallel data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of rising clock and falling clock into a single clock signal. By combining these separate timing signals into one unified clock source, the circuit reduces the number of signal lines required while maintaining the ability to sequentially output data bits in parallel form as serial data.
2Productivity
If conventional data output circuit uses rising clock and falling clock, then data output is achieved, but clock skew issues cause instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the rising clock and falling clock signals from the system, eliminating the source of clock skew problems. By extracting these problematic signals and replacing them with a single clock signal, the invention resolves the instability caused by timing differences between multiple clock sources while maintaining data output functionality.
3Ease of operation
If conventional data output circuit uses multiple output control signals (rpoutb, fpoutb, poutb) to manage data output, then precise control is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple output control signals (rpoutb, fpoutb, poutb) into a simplified control structure driven by a single clock signal. This consolidation maintains the precision needed for controlling data output timing while significantly reducing the number of control signals required, thereby lowering device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The single clock signal in the patent serves multiple functions that were previously handled by separate rising clock, falling clock, and control signals. This universal clock signal coordinates all aspects of data output control, eliminating the need for multiple specialized control lines and simplifying the overall control architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A data output circuit for a semiconductor memory apparatus includes a data output control unit that generates a selection signal, an output timing signal, and an input control signal in response to a read command and a clock, and a signal-responsive data output unit that receives parallel data in response to the input control signal, arranges the parallel data in response to the selection signal, and sequentially outputs the arranged parallel data as serial data in synchronization with the output timing signal.