Semiconductor Power-Domain Switching With Stepwise Current Ramp
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Solution Overview
Problem
Semiconductor circuits experience current peaks and excessive current rise rates when switching on intermittently off circuit blocks, leading to voltage drops and operational disturbances due to uncontrolled switching and parasitic inductances.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that use a switchable element to progressively increase the current when switching on voltage supplies, employing a stepwise voltage rise with intermediate values to minimize current peaks and rise rates, utilizing a capacitor network with adjustable capacitance for controlled voltage supply activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional switching is used to turn on circuit blocks, then switching speed is fast, but current peaks and excessive rise rates occur causing voltage drops and operational disturbances
Solution Approach 1:
The switching process is segmented into multiple discrete steps rather than a single instantaneous action. The gate voltage is applied in increments through sequentially activated switches (first switch, second switch, third switch), dividing the total voltage change into manageable segments that control the current rise rate and prevent harmful peaks
Solution Approach 2:
The gate voltage is prepared in advance as a stepped voltage sequence before being applied to the switchable element. The control circuit pre-configures the intermediate voltage levels and their timing, so that when switching begins, the voltage already follows the predetermined gradual rise profile, preventing current peaks before they can occur
Solution Approach 3:
The switching process uses periodic clock signals to control the sequential activation of switches at predetermined time intervals. This periodic control ensures that the gate voltage increases in regular steps, maintaining a controlled rise rate that prevents harmful current peaks while still achieving complete switching within a finite time period
2Object-generated harmful factors
If gradual voltage rise with intermediate values is used, then current peaks are reduced, but switching time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The switching process applies more voltage steps than the minimum single-step action, but each step is optimized to be just sufficient to advance the switching without causing harmful effects. The intermediate voltage levels are carefully chosen to provide partial increments that collectively achieve full switching while maintaining controlled current rise at each stage
Solution Approach 2:
The gate voltage parameter is changed in discrete steps rather than continuously or in a single jump. By adjusting the voltage parameter through predetermined intermediate values controlled by the sequential switch activation, the current peaks are reduced while the total switching time remains acceptable due to the efficient step sequence
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces current peaks and rise rates, preventing voltage drops and operational disturbances, allowing for efficient and controlled switching of semiconductor circuit voltage domains without requiring exact threshold voltage knowledge, and is more robust against production variations.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a capacitor network with adjustable capacitance for controlled voltage supply activation
Data Source
AI summary
A method and an apparatus for switching on a voltage supply of a voltage domain of a semiconductor circuit is disclosed. A voltage supply is connected to a supply voltage of the semiconductor circuit by means of a switchable element. The switchable element is activated in such a way that, for switching on the voltage supply of the voltage domain, a current through the switchable element rises progressively with at least one intermediate value, in particular stepwise manner.