Negative Reference Voltage Circuit Using Differential Amplifier
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional negative reference voltage generating circuits for NOR type flash memory face accuracy issues and complex circuit structures due to reliance on positive reference voltage generation methods, leading to significant errors in generating the required negative voltage.
Innovation Solution
A negative reference voltage generating circuit utilizing a differential amplifier driven by both positive and negative power voltages, combined with diodes and resistors, forms a simple and accurate method to produce a negative reference voltage, employing a triple well structure and charge pump to minimize errors and variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a conventional positive reference voltage generating circuit is used to generate negative voltage, then the circuit structure becomes complex, but the manufacturing precision and accuracy of the negative reference voltage deteriorate significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by directly generating negative reference voltage instead of using a positive reference voltage circuit to create negative voltage. The differential amplifier generates negative reference voltage NVref directly from the relationship between diode voltages and resistor ratios, eliminating the need for complex voltage inversion circuits and their associated accuracy losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential function of negative reference voltage generation from the complex positive reference voltage circuit architecture. By using a dedicated differential amplifier with diodes and resistors configured to directly produce NVref, the design removes unnecessary circuit elements and simplifies the overall structure while improving accuracy.
2Device complexity
If a negative voltage is generated using conventional methods with multiple amplifiers and charge pumps, then the circuit structure becomes complex, but the accuracy of the generated negative voltage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the core function of negative voltage generation from complex multi-component circuits. By using a single differential amplifier with carefully selected diodes and resistors, the design eliminates unnecessary intermediate stages while maintaining high accuracy through direct generation of NVref.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by configuring the differential amplifier to operate with specific diode connections and resistor ratios that directly produce the required negative reference voltage. This parameter optimization enables accurate negative voltage generation without complex circuitry.
3Device complexity
If conventional negative reference voltage generation methods are used, then the circuit structure becomes complex, but the productivity and speed of voltage generation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential voltage generation function from complex multi-stage circuits, using a single differential amplifier stage with diodes and resistors. This streamlined architecture reduces the number of operational stages and improves the speed at which negative reference voltage can be generated.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the voltage generation function into distinct functional components (differential amplifier, diodes, resistors) that work together in a simplified architecture. This modular approach enables faster operation by eliminating unnecessary intermediate processing stages.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The proposed solution achieves high accuracy in generating negative reference voltages with a simplified circuit structure, reducing errors and variations, making it suitable for NOR type flash memory applications.
Implementation Method 1
a differential amplifier including a non-inverting input terminal, an inverting input terminal, and an output terminal, wherein the differential amplifier is driven by a positive power voltage and a negative power voltage
Implementation Method 2
a first diode including a cathode and an anode, wherein the cathode is connected with the non-inverting input terminal of the differential amplifier and the anode is connected with a ground; a plurality of second diodes each including a cathode and an anode
Data Source
AI summary
A negative reference voltage generating circuit generating a negative reference voltage is provided, including a differential amplifier, a first diode, second diodes, and a third resistor. The differential amplifier includes a non-inverting input terminal, an inverting input terminal, and an output terminal, and is driven by a positive and a negative power voltages. The output terminal is connected with the non-inverting input terminal via a first resistor and connected with the inverting input terminal via a second resistor. The first diode includes a cathode connected with the non-inverting input terminal of the differential amplifier and an anode connected with a ground. The second diodes respectively include a cathode connected with a predetermined connection point and an anode connected with the ground, and are connected in parallel. The third resistor is connected between the connection point and the inverting input terminal of the differential amplifier.