Data Output Pad Driving Circuit for Overlap-Free Signal Switching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional semiconductor data output circuits experience overlapping phenomena due to rapid switching of pull-up and pull-down transistors, leading to power loss and potential misoperation, especially when handling consecutive input data with increasing bit numbers.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a data output circuit with signal delay blocks that vary delay amounts for input signal edges, maintaining one edge while delaying and outputting driving signals, and using output pad driving blocks to manage voltages with PMOS and NMOS transistors, preventing overlapping by synchronizing the activation periods of pull-up and pull-down signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the pull-up and pull-down transistors switch rapidly to handle consecutive input data, then the data output speed is improved, but overlapping occurs causing power loss and potential misoperation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces delay circuits that advance-control the switching timing of pull-up and pull-down transistors. By delaying one of the control signals relative to the other, the transistors are switched on in a predetermined sequence rather than simultaneously, preventing overlapping conduction before it can cause power loss. This preliminary timing adjustment ensures that when data bits are consecutively input, the transistors switch rapidly enough to maintain high output speed while avoiding the harmful overlapping state.
2Productivity
If the pull-up and pull-down transistors switch rapidly to handle consecutive input data, then the data output speed is improved, but overlapping occurs causing circuit misoperation
Solution Approach 1:
The delay circuits provide advance-control by predetermined timing adjustment, ensuring that the rapid switching of transistors does not lead to overlapping. By controlling the switching sequence in advance, the patent maintains high data output speed while ensuring reliable circuit operation without misoperation.
3Loss of energy
If delay circuits are introduced to prevent overlapping, then power loss is reduced, but the circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces delay circuits as intermediary components between the data input and the transistor control paths. These delay circuits act as mediators that adjust the timing of control signals without directly interfering with the transistor switching mechanism. By using these intermediary delay elements, the patent reduces power loss from overlapping while adding only minimal circuit complexity compared to more invasive redesign approaches.
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor device includes a first signal delay block configured to delay a first edge of an input signal with varying delay amounts, maintain a second edge of the input signal, and output at least one first driving signal, a second signal delay block configured to delay the second edge of the input signal with the varying delay amounts, maintain the first edge of the input signal, and output at least one second driving signal, and an output pad driving block configured to drive a data output pad with a first voltage in response to the first driving signal and drive the data output pad with a second voltage in response to the second driving signal.