Memory Voltage Provision Circuit With Supply Logic Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing voltage provision circuits for memory circuits, such as efuse memory circuits, malfunction due to erroneous supply voltage logic states, leading to improper functioning of control circuits and potential mis-programming of memory cells.

Innovation Solution

A voltage provision circuit with an integrated voltage detector that detects incorrect logic states of supply voltages and forces the operation voltage to ground, preventing malfunction by ensuring correct voltage levels are applied to memory cells.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If voltage provision circuits operate without voltage detection, then the circuit structure remains simple, but the circuit malfunctions due to erroneous supply voltage logic states

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit operation reliabilityVSAvoidcircuit structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The voltage detector circuit performs preliminary detection of supply voltage logic states before the voltage provision circuit executes its operation. By detecting erroneous voltage states in advance, the system can prevent malfunctions before they occur, thereby improving reliability without significantly complicating the overall circuit operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A voltage detector circuit is introduced as an intermediary component between the supply voltage source and the voltage provision circuit. This intermediary detects voltage logic states and provides control signals to prevent erroneous operation, resolving the contradiction by adding a dedicated detection function that improves reliability while maintaining clear circuit organization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If voltage detection is added to prevent erroneous operation, then circuit reliability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvememory circuit programming integrityVSAvoidvoltage provision circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The voltage detector serves as an intermediary monitoring component that independently checks supply voltage logic states. By separating the detection function from the voltage provision function, the system achieves improved reliability through enhanced monitoring without excessively complicating the core voltage provision operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The voltage detector provides feedback control signals to the voltage provision circuit based on detected voltage logic states. This feedback mechanism enables the system to automatically respond to erroneous voltage conditions and correct or prevent malfunctions, improving programming integrity while using a standardized feedback control approach that limits complexity growth

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20260112433A1Voltage provision circuits with voltage detector and methods for operating the same
Publication Date: 2026.04.23 TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO LTD
  • US20260112433A1 patent drawing
  • US20260112433A1 patent drawing
  • US20260112433A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A circuit includes a memory array comprising a plurality of memory cells; and a voltage provision circuit configured to provide an operation voltage for one or more of the plurality of memory cells, the operation voltage being shifted from a first voltage domain to a second voltage domain. The voltage provision circuit comprises a voltage detector. The voltage detector is configured to receive a first supply voltage in the first voltage domain, powered by a second supply voltage in the second voltage domain, and provide a first control signal. The first control signal is configured to determine whether the operation voltage is equal to the second supply voltage at a first logic state or the second supply voltage at a second logic state.