Temperature Compensation Circuit for Semiconductor Memory
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing temperature measurement circuits in semiconductor memory apparatuses face inaccuracies in temperature measurement due to the counter reaching its maximum value and subsequently resetting to minimum, leading to an inability to accurately measure temperature increases.
Innovation Solution
A circuit is designed to compensate the temperature measurement range by using a counter enable signal generating unit, counter, and output controlling unit to manage the counting operation and output signal based on a temperature pulse, preventing the counter from exceeding its maximum value and ensuring accurate temperature information encoding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the counter counts the oscillator signal while the temperature pulse is enabled, then the temperature information can be encoded and outputted, but the counter output may exceed the maximum value and reset to minimum, causing measurement inaccuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the counter output is monitored and compared against a maximum value threshold. When the counter reaches the maximum value, a reset signal is generated to clear the counter, preventing overflow and ensuring continuous accurate temperature measurement. This feedback loop maintains the reliability of the counter output while enabling precise temperature encoding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by resetting the counter to zero before the counting operation begins or when the maximum value is approached. This preventive measure ensures that the counter starts from a known state and avoids exceeding the maximum value, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy and preventing the counter output reliability issue.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the counter reaches the maximum value and resets to minimum, then the counter can continue counting, but the temperature measurement becomes inaccurate because the output value decreases after reaching maximum
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback mechanism monitors the counter output and generates a reset signal when the maximum value is reached. This ensures that the counter continuously operates within the valid range [0, max_value] and maintains a monotonic relationship with temperature, preserving measurement precision while enabling continuous counting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of allowing the counter to naturally overflow and wrap around from maximum to minimum, the patent inverts the approach by actively resetting the counter to zero when it reaches the maximum value. This prevents the unwanted decrease in output value and maintains accurate temperature measurement throughout the continuous counting process.
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit for compensating a temperature measurement range of a semiconductor memory apparatus is presented. The circuit includes an oscillator, a temperature variable pulse generating unit, a counter, and an output controlling unit. The counter enable signal generating unit inputs a temperature pulse and outputs a counter enable signal corresponding to the temperature pulse in response to receiving a control signal. The counter inputs and counts an oscillator signal in response to receiving the counter enable signal and outputs a counting signal. The output controlling unit outputs a temperature information code signal proportional to the counting signal or to output the temperature information code signal at a fixed level corresponding to a maximum value of the counting signal.