Parallel Transistor Control for Sharp Signal Transition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sequential circuits with transistors of the same polarity face challenges in suppressing transistor characteristic changes while maintaining sharp output signal transitions without increasing the channel width-to-length ratio (W/L) of transistors, leading to issues like delay and distortion in output signals.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor device configuration involving a first transistor, a second transistor, and a third transistor, with specific on/off control mechanisms and switch connections, allowing for repeated periods of signal and potential output steps to manage transistor characteristics and output signal transitions without increasing W/L, and utilizing a novel circuit configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If one of two transistors connected in parallel is turned off and the other is driven, then change in transistor characteristics is suppressed, but W/L of the transistor must be large to maintain sufficient driving ability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the transistor control into multiple segments by introducing separate control transistors (first control transistor and second control transistor) that independently control different parallel transistors. This segmentation allows each transistor to be precisely controlled according to its operational requirements, maintaining characteristic stability without needing excessive W/L ratios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of transistor operations through control transistors that adjust the on/off states of parallel transistors based on operational phases. This dynamic approach optimizes the driving ability by activating only necessary transistors during each phase, eliminating the need for all transistors to have uniformly large W/L ratios.
2Length of moving object
If W/L of the transistor is not large enough, then driving ability is insufficient, but output signal changes slowly causing delay and distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple transistors working in parallel under coordinated control. By combining the driving capability of multiple transistors that are activated sequentially or simultaneously based on control signals, the system achieves high-speed output signal transitions without requiring each individual transistor to have a large W/L ratio.
Solution Approach 2:
The control transistors perform preliminary actions by pre-charging or pre-discharging nodes before the main signal transition occurs. This preliminary action prepares the circuit state in advance, enabling faster output signal changes without requiring excessively large W/L ratios in the signal path transistors.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a semiconductor device in which change in characteristics of a transistor is suppressed and an output signal is changed sharply without increasing W/L of the transistor can be provided. Two transistors are connected in parallel between a wiring to which a low potential is supplied and an output terminal. When the low potential is output from the output terminal, both of the two transistors are turned on and then one of them is turned off. Thus, change in characteristics of the transistor can be suppressed and an output signal can be changed sharply without increasing W/L of the transistor.