Power Drop Detector Circuit for Zero-DC Memory Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Memory devices operating in low power consumption modes are susceptible to sudden power drops that can corrupt stored data, and existing solutions fail to detect such drops without consuming DC power.

Innovation Solution

A power drop detector circuit comprising a detect element and a memory element that switches between states based on the voltage level, using a latching circuit, pull-up and pull-down circuits, and a memory control circuit to detect voltage drops without consuming DC power during normal operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a power drop detector circuit is implemented to detect voltage drops in memory devices, then data integrity is improved, but DC power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata integrityVSAvoidDC power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The detector circuit uses periodic pulsed actions instead of continuous operation. The detect element is activated only during specific phases to monitor voltage drops, while the memory element alternates between states. This periodic monitoring approach enables power drop detection while maintaining zero DC power consumption during normal operation, as the circuit remains in a high-impedance state between detection pulses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The circuit uses the existing voltage fluctuations and power rail conditions to drive the detection mechanism. The detect element leverages the natural voltage drops it is designed to detect, converting the monitored electrical conditions directly into detection signals without requiring separate power sources. The memory element switches states based on these detected conditions, making the system self-powered from the voltage variations it monitors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If continuous monitoring is implemented to ensure detection of power drops, then reliability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoidoperational power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring is performed periodically through pulsed detection cycles rather than continuously. The detect element is enabled only during specific time windows to check for voltage drops, and disabled during normal operation. This periodic monitoring maintains detection reliability by checking at critical moments while consuming minimal power during intervals between checks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The detection function is extracted as a separate, independent operation from the main memory device operation. The detect element is designed to operate autonomously during detection phases, using the existing power rail conditions without drawing additional operational power. This extraction allows reliable detection to be performed as an intermittent function rather than a continuous burden on the power supply.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS9628061B2Power drop detector circuit and operating method of same

Publication Date: 2017.04.18 MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO LTD

AI summary

A power drop detector circuit includes a detect element, for coupling to a first source voltage, for detecting a voltage level of the first source voltage, and a memory element coupled to the detect element and switchable between a first memory state and a second memory state based on the voltage level of the first source voltage.