NAND Flash Sensing Circuitry Power Domain Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The power consumption of sensing circuitry in 3D NAND devices is high due to the voltage requirements for sensing and programming operations, which limits the ability to reduce voltage supply without compromising the functionality of the sensing/bit line driving circuits.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a dual power domain approach within the sensing circuitry, where a first power domain with a higher voltage supplies power to the bit line driving circuitry, and a second power domain with a lower voltage supplies power to the latches and sense amplifier latch, thereby reducing overall power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single high voltage power domain is used to supply power to the sensing circuitry, then the sensing and programming operations can be performed, but the power consumption is high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensing operation functionalityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The sensing circuitry is divided into two separate power domains: a first power domain providing high voltage to the bit line driving circuitry for sensing/programming operations, and a second power domain providing low voltage to the latches and sense amplifier latch. This segmentation allows each sub-circuit to operate at the minimum necessary voltage, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining sensing functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different voltage levels are applied to different parts of the sensing circuitry based on their specific functional requirements. The bit line driving circuitry receives high voltage locally to perform sensing operations, while the latches receive low voltage locally for data storage, optimizing power consumption in each region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Use of energy by moving object

If voltage supply is reduced to lower power consumption, then energy efficiency improves, but the functionality of sensing/bit line driving circuits is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidsensing circuit functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sensing circuitry is segmented into operational components (bit line driving circuitry) that require high voltage and storage components (latches) that can operate at low voltage. This allows the system to reduce overall power consumption by supplying low voltage to the latches while maintaining high voltage supply to the bit line driving circuitry when sensing operations are active.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The power domains are dynamically configured based on operational mode. During sensing operations, the first power domain provides high voltage to the bit line driving circuitry. During non-operational modes, the voltage supply can be reduced or shut off, allowing the sensing circuitry to adapt its power consumption dynamically while maintaining functionality when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12315573B2Method and apparatus to reduce power consumption of page buffer circuitry in a non-volatile memory device

Publication Date: 2025.05.27 INTEL NDTM US LLC

AI summary

Power consumption of sensing circuitry in a NAND Flash device is reduced by reducing the voltage supply to a portion of logic circuits in sensing circuitry. A first power domain provides power to a first portion of the logic circuits in the sensing circuity and a second power domain provides power to a second portion of the logic circuits in the sensing circuitry. The first power domain has a higher voltage than the second power domain.