On-Chip Silicon Light Source for IC State Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing integrated circuits (ICs) with on-chip electroluminescent silicon light sources primarily display information originating externally, lacking the ability to provide an optical indication of the IC's state, which limits their functionality in self-diagnosis and debugging.
Innovation Solution
An integrated circuit with an on-chip electroluminescent silicon light source arrangement that offers a two-dimensional display capable of modulating data indicative of its internal state, allowing for both human-readable and machine-readable optical representations, enabling the IC to display information about its operational state without external input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an on-chip light source is used to display information, then the display capability is improved, but the information displayed originates externally rather than from the IC's internal state
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated circuit uses its own internal state to generate the display information, eliminating the need for external data input. The IC serves itself by converting its internal operational state directly into optical signals for display, making the system self-sufficient in terms of information generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The on-chip light source arrangement is configured to perform multiple functions: it can display externally provided information and simultaneously display the IC's internal state information. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware to serve both traditional display purposes and self-diagnostic purposes.
2Measurement precision
If electrical probing and diagnostic circuitry are used to monitor IC state, then the monitoring capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical probing methods with optical display methods. Instead of using electrical connections and physical probes to read the IC state, the IC converts its state directly into optical signals that can be read contactlessly, substituting an electrical/mechanical system with an optical system.
Solution Approach 2:
The diagnostic capability is extracted and integrated directly into the main IC structure rather than being implemented as separate external diagnostic equipment. The monitoring function is taken out from external probing systems and embedded within the IC itself through the on-chip light source arrangement.
3Ease of manufacture
If a one-dimensional temporal display is used, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the information density is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional temporal display (sequential optical pulses over time) to a two-dimensional spatial display arrangement. This dimensional change allows multiple pieces of information to be displayed simultaneously in space rather than sequentially in time, significantly increasing information density while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standard CMOS processes.
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
Enables direct, contactless monitoring and debugging of IC states, reducing the need for electrical probing and diagnostic circuitry, and facilitating faster testing and quality control by providing a high information density optical representation of internal conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an on-chip electroluminescent silicon light source arrangement
Implementation Method 2
Radiative carrier interactions under high electric fields, observable when inducing carrier transport through reverse biased pn-junctions in avalanche breakdown
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated circuit (IC) having an on-chip electroluminescent silicon light source arrangement is disclosed. In the IC, the light source arrangement is a two-dimensional display arrangement and the IC includes an on-chip modulator operable to modulate data indicative of a state of the IC which can be displayed by the display arrangement, thereby providing an optical representation of the state of the IC.