Output Driver Termination and Clamping for Stable High-Speed Data

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional data output apparatuses in semiconductor integrated circuits face challenges in simultaneously achieving low power consumption and high speed operation due to the lack of a termination function, which degrades data transmission speed and causes instability in output data levels when power supply voltage varies.

Innovation Solution

A data output apparatus is designed with a driver unit, data driver unit, and output data level control unit that generates driving signals and controls the output data level by forming a current path different from the path for driving the output terminal, incorporating termination and clamping functions to restrict voltage level variations and remove noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a termination function circuit is added to improve data transmission speed, then data transmission speed is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission speedVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic control of the termination function by using a control signal to selectively activate or deactivate the termination circuit based on operating conditions. This allows the system to achieve high-speed data transmission when needed while consuming minimal power during normal operation, resolving the contradiction between speed improvement and power consumption increase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the impedance parameter of the output terminal dynamically by switching the termination circuit on or off. By adjusting the termination impedance according to operational requirements, the system can optimize both data transmission speed and power consumption, avoiding the permanent power penalty of a continuously active termination circuit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If the data output apparatus operates without termination function to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but data transmission speed degrades

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddata transmission speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic control of the termination function by using a control signal to selectively activate or deactivate the termination circuit based on operating conditions. This allows the system to achieve high-speed data transmission when needed while consuming minimal power during normal operation, resolving the contradiction between speed improvement and power consumption increase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the impedance parameter of the output terminal dynamically by switching the termination circuit on or off. By adjusting the termination impedance according to operational requirements, the system can optimize both data transmission speed and power consumption, avoiding the permanent power penalty of a continuously active termination circuit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If conventional data output apparatus is used without level control, then device complexity is reduced, but output data level becomes unstable when power supply voltage varies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecircuit constructionVSAvoidoutput data level stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an output data level control unit as an intermediary component between the data output terminal and the external circuit. This unit actively regulates the output data level to maintain stability despite power supply voltage variations, achieving reliable data transmission without significantly increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism in the output data level control unit that continuously monitors and adjusts the output data level based on power supply voltage conditions. This feedback control ensures stable output data levels while maintaining relatively simple circuit construction, resolving the contradiction between complexity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS8576640B2Data output apparatus and method for outputting data thereof

Publication Date: 2013.11.05 SK HYNIX INC

AI summary

A data output apparatus includes a driver driving unit configured to generate driving signals by using input data when a data output enable signal is enabled, a data driver unit configured to drive an output terminal to a level corresponding to the input data in response to the driving signals to generate output data, and an output data level control unit configured to open a current path to control a level of the output data, wherein the current path is different from a current path for driving the output terminal to a level corresponding to the input data.