Integrated Circuit Pin Voltage Control to Prevent Leakage Current
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated circuits experience leakage current issues due to resistors connecting to output pins even in normal operational mode, causing unnecessary current flow when voltage levels differ from initialized bit values.
Innovation Solution
An integrated circuit comprising a detecting circuit to store signal levels during initialization and a controlling circuit to set voltage levels when the processing circuit enters an idle mode, ensuring zero voltage drop across resistors and preventing leakage current.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If resistors are connected to output pins for initialization, then the integrated circuit can receive predetermined bit values for initializing, but leakage current is induced when output voltage level differs from the voltage level of predetermined bit value during normal operation
Solution Approach 1:
The detecting circuit detects and stores the signal level value during initialization mode before normal operation begins. This preliminary detection and storage of the initialization bit value enables the controlling circuit to later adjust the output pin voltage to match the stored value, preventing leakage current during idle mode without affecting the initialization function
Solution Approach 2:
The output pin voltage level is made dynamic rather than static. The controlling circuit adjusts the voltage level of the output pin based on the stored signal level value when the processing circuit enters idle mode. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to transition from a fixed voltage level to an adaptive voltage level that matches the initialization value, eliminating the voltage difference that causes leakage current
2Reliability
If resistors remain connected to output pins during normal operational mode, then initialization function is maintained, but unnecessary current flow occurs when voltage levels differ
Solution Approach 1:
The detecting circuit provides feedback about the signal level value present during initialization. This feedback is stored and then used by the controlling circuit to adjust the output pin voltage during idle mode. The feedback mechanism ensures that the output pin voltage matches the initialization voltage level, preventing leakage current while maintaining the initialization function
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own initialization signal level value to control its own operating state. The detecting circuit detects the voltage level during initialization, stores it, and the controlling circuit uses this stored value to automatically adjust the output pin voltage during idle mode. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external control signals and ensures the output pin voltage naturally matches the initialization level
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated circuit includes: a circuit pin; a detecting circuit coupled to the circuit pin, and arranged to detect a signal level value of the circuit pin when the integrated circuit operates in a first operational mode; a storage circuit coupled to the detecting circuit, and arranged to store the signal level value; and a controlling circuit coupled to the storage circuit, and arranged to set a voltage level of the circuit pin according the signal level value when a processing circuit of the integrated circuit operates in a second operational mode.