Gated Oscillation Circuit Stabilization Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Gated oscillation circuits in semiconductor devices face challenges in rapidly and stably terminating oscillation operations when the oscillation enable signal is deactivated, leading to undefined intermediate signal levels and potential malfunctions in internal circuits due to unstable voltage transitions.

Innovation Solution

The oscillation circuit includes a control unit that activates and deactivates a control signal based on detection signals from inverters, ensuring that the oscillation operation is stopped only after the voltage levels are stabilized, using a delay unit, transmission unit, and latch unit to manage signal transmission and phase differences between nodes, and a reset signal generator to confirm stabilization before deactivating the control signal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the switch is turned OFF immediately when the oscillation enable signal is deactivated, then the oscillation circuit stops the oscillation operation quickly, but the periodic signal at the node becomes unstable and remains in an undefined intermediate level for a considerable period

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of terminating oscillation operationVSAvoidstability of periodic signal level

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by detecting the voltage level of the periodic signal before turning off the switch. The control unit monitors whether the signal has reached a stable state (logical high or low) and only then deactivates the switch. This prevents the signal from being cut off during an unstable transition period, thereby maintaining signal reliability while still achieving rapid termination of oscillation operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the switch is kept ON to maintain signal stability, then the periodic signal remains stable at the node, but the oscillation operation continues for a considerable period after the oscillation enable signal is deactivated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of periodic signal levelVSAvoidtime required to terminate oscillation operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the voltage level of the periodic signal at the node and using this information to control the switch state. The control unit receives feedback about the signal stability and adjusts the switch accordingly - keeping it ON when the signal is unstable and turning it OFF when the signal reaches a stable logical state. This feedback mechanism ensures signal reliability while minimizing unnecessary continuation of oscillation operations, thus reducing time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Speed

If the switch is turned OFF during signal transition, then the oscillation operation stops rapidly, but internal circuits operating in response to the periodic signal may malfunction due to undefined signal levels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of stopping oscillation operationVSAvoidmalfunction of internal circuits

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by checking the voltage level of the periodic signal before turning off the switch. The control unit monitors whether the signal has reached a stable state (logical high or low) and only then deactivates the switch. This prevents the signal from being cut off during an unstable transition period, thereby maintaining signal reliability while still achieving rapid termination of oscillation operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the voltage level of the periodic signal at the node and using this information to control the switch state. The control unit receives feedback about the signal stability and adjusts the switch accordingly - keeping it ON when the signal is unstable and turning it OFF when the signal reaches a stable logical state. This feedback mechanism ensures signal reliability while minimizing unnecessary continuation of oscillation operations, thus reducing time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS8169268B2Oscillation circuit and semiconductor device having the same

Publication Date: 2012.05.01 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An oscillation circuit, and a semiconductor device incorporating same, include: an oscillation unit with a plurality of inverters and configured to perform signal transmission between first and second nodes of the inverters such that each of the inverters performs an oscillation operation to generate clock signals having different phases when a control signal is activated, and latch a clock signal of the second node and cut off the signal transmission between the first and second nodes to stop the oscillation operations of the inverters when the control signal is deactivated; and a control unit to activate the control signal when an oscillation enable signal is activated, and deactivate the control signal using one of a clock signal output from an inverter connected to the second node and clock signals of which the phases lag that of a clock signal of the first node, when the oscillation enable signal is deactivated.