Semiconductor Memory Signal Regulation Circuit

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing semiconductor memory devices face challenges in regulating data strobe signals effectively, particularly at high operation speeds, leading to improper data exchange between the NAND flash memory and the memory controller due to variations in signal waveform slopes.

Innovation Solution

The semiconductor memory device incorporates a configuration with off-chip drivers and pre-drivers between the IO-pad and power supply pads, utilizing PMOS and NMOS transistors with resistor elements to regulate signal waveforms, ensuring equal resistance values and synchronized signal timing across drivers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If data strobe signals are transmitted at high operation speeds, then data transfer speed is improved, but signal waveform variations cause improper data exchange

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer speedVSAvoiddata exchange reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a dedicated signal regulation circuit as an intermediary component between the memory controller and NAND flash memory. This circuit actively monitors and adjusts data strobe signal waveforms, compensating for high-speed transmission distortions and ensuring reliable data exchange at elevated transfer speeds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The signal regulation circuit dynamically adjusts signal waveform parameters such as rise time, fall time, and voltage levels to maintain optimal signal integrity. By changing these parameters in real-time based on detected waveform variations, the system achieves both high transfer speed and reliable data exchange.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If signal regulation circuits are added to regulate data strobe signals, then signal waveform stability is improved, but circuit area increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal waveform stabilityVSAvoidcircuit area

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the signal regulation functionality with existing driver circuits or integrates it into the memory controller's output stage. By combining multiple functions into a single circuit block, the patent achieves signal waveform stability without proportionally increasing the overall circuit area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The signal regulation circuit is designed to handle multiple signal types and regulation tasks simultaneously. This multi-functional approach allows a single circuit implementation to regulate various data strobe signals with different characteristics, reducing the total circuit area required compared to dedicated regulation circuits for each signal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10360982B2Semiconductor memory device

Publication Date: 2019.07.23 KIOXIA CORP

AI summary

The present embodiment discloses a semiconductor memory device which includes a memory cell array, a signal pad, a first voltage pad, a first regulation circuit and a first operation circuit. The signal pad supplies an output signal associated with the memory cell array. The first voltage pad receives a first voltage. The first regulation circuit regulates a signal output from the signal pad. The first operation circuit operates the first regulation circuit. The first regulation circuit and the first operation circuit are provided between the signal pad and the first voltage pad.