On-Die Termination Circuit With Data-Rate Adaptive Impedance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing on-die termination (ODT) circuits in semiconductor devices consume significant power due to constant termination impedance, which is not efficiently managed based on data rate variations.
Innovation Solution
An ODT circuit with a termination resistor unit and a termination control unit that adjusts impedance in response to a strength code associated with the data rate, using transistors and resistors to provide termination impedance only when necessary, reducing power consumption by varying impedance based on data rate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If constant termination impedance is provided in existing ODT circuits, then signal integrity is maintained, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the termination impedance adjustable rather than fixed. The ODT circuit dynamically changes termination impedance values based on operating conditions (data rate and mode register settings), allowing the system to optimize between signal integrity and power consumption by selecting appropriate impedance levels only when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by varying termination impedance values according to operating conditions. The circuit responds to strength codes and mode register settings to adjust termination parameters, enabling the system to maintain signal integrity when required while reducing power consumption by disabling or adjusting termination under different operating conditions
2Use of energy by moving object
If termination impedance is adjusted dynamically based on data rate, then power consumption is reduced, but circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the ODT circuit to perform multiple functions: it provides termination impedance when needed for signal integrity while also serving as a power management mechanism. The same circuit structure responds to different operating conditions (data rates, mode register settings) to dynamically adjust or disable termination, making the circuit adaptable to various operational requirements without requiring separate dedicated circuits
Solution Approach 2:
The ODT circuit implements self-service by automatically adjusting its termination impedance based on operating conditions without external intervention. The circuit responds to strength codes and mode register settings internally, self-managing the balance between signal integrity and power consumption based on the actual operating context
Data Source
AI summary
An on-die termination circuit includes a termination resistor unit connected to an external pin, and a termination control unit connected to the termination resistor unit. The termination resistor unit provides termination impedance to a transmission line connected to the external pin. The termination control unit varies the termination impedance in response to a plurality of bits of strength code associated with a data rate.