Dual-Voltage Reset Control for Stable Peripheral IC Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Integrated circuits face instability and increased current consumption when power sources decrease to a reference level or lower, leading to abnormal operations and current paths.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a reset control circuit that outputs a reset signal when either of two voltages falls below a reference level, and a reset execution circuit to maintain the peripheral circuit in a reset state until the voltage returns to or exceeds the reference level, using the higher voltage for reset operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the power source voltage decreases to a reference level or lower, then the circuit operation becomes unstable, but adding a reset circuit increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit operation stabilityVSAvoidcircuit structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reset control circuit automatically detects when power source voltage decreases to a reference level or lower and autonomously generates a reset signal without external intervention. The circuit monitors its own power conditions and self-corrects by resetting the peripheral circuit, eliminating the need for external reset control logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The reset control circuit continuously monitors the power source voltage and provides feedback control. When the voltage drops below the reference level, the circuit detects this condition and activates the reset signal. The reset execution circuit then resets the peripheral circuit based on this feedback, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the power source voltage decreases to a reference level or lower, then abnormal current paths are formed, but adding protection circuits increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabnormal current pathVSAvoidcircuit structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reset control circuit detects voltage drops before abnormal current paths can cause damage and preemptively activates the reset signal. By resetting the peripheral circuit in advance when voltage decreases to the reference level, the system prevents abnormal current paths from forming, rather than attempting to correct them after they occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Reliability

If manual reset control is used, then circuit stabilization is achieved, but operation time is increased due to manual intervention

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit stabilizationVSAvoidreset operation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The reset control circuit automatically detects voltage conditions and generates reset signals without requiring manual intervention. The entire reset process occurs autonomously within the circuit, eliminating the time delay associated with manual detection and control while maintaining reliable circuit stabilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS8952735B2Integrated circuit
Publication Date: 2015.02.10 SK HYNIX INC
  • US8952735B2 patent drawing
  • US8952735B2 patent drawing
  • US8952735B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An integrated circuit includes a reset control circuit suitable for outputting a reset signal when one of a first voltage and a second voltage has lower level than a reference level, and a reset execution circuit suitable for resetting a peripheral circuit based on the reset signal.