Power Sequence Control for Faster Semiconductor Power-Off
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing semiconductor devices face challenges in controlling power sources during power-off operations, leading to delayed shutdowns and poor responsiveness due to varying charge amounts, resistance magnitudes, and external capacitance.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor device with a power sequence controller that initiates power-off operations for different power source groups based on voltage levels and reference times, allowing for staggered shutdowns to improve responsiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If power-off control is performed following all the sequences as in a power-on operation, then power sources are safely discharged, but the power-off time becomes slower than the power-on time by dozens to several hundred times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides power sources into multiple groups (first power source group, second power source group, third power source group) and applies different discharge control strategies to each group. This segmentation allows simultaneous discharge of multiple power sources while maintaining safety, thereby reducing overall power-off time without compromising reliability.
2Loss of time
If power sources are discharged simultaneously, then power-off time is reduced, but voltage levels decrease at different rates causing unpredictable discharge behavior
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a power sequence controller that monitors voltage levels of power sources and adjusts discharge timing based on feedback. The controller starts power-off operations of subsequent power source groups when voltage levels of preceding groups reach predetermined thresholds, enabling predictable and controllable simultaneous discharge while maintaining ease of operation.
3Reliability
If power-off operation waits for voltage to drop to zero, then complete power shutdown is achieved, but responsiveness and reaction speed deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial discharge action by discharging power sources to predetermined voltage thresholds rather than waiting for complete voltage drop to zero. This approach achieves sufficient power shutdown for most applications while dramatically improving power-off responsiveness and reaction speed by avoiding the lengthy final discharge phase.
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor device and a power-off method of the semiconductor device, the semiconductor device including a first power source group including first and second power sources, a second power source group including a third power source and a power sequence controller. The power sequence controller performs power-on operations and power-off operations of the first to third power sources. The power sequence controller starts a power-off operation of the first power source group at a first time, and starts a power-off operation of the second power source group when the power voltage of the first power source group becomes a first voltage or when a first reference time has passed from the first time.