Power-Up Signal Circuit for Multi-Voltage Initialization Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Semiconductor devices face reliability issues and operation errors due to unstable power supply voltages, particularly when multiple power supply voltages with different rise speeds or orders are used, leading to potential latch-up phenomena and incomplete initialization of internal circuits.
Innovation Solution
A power-up signal generation circuit that includes pre-power-up signal generation blocks, level shifting blocks, and power-up signal driving blocks to stabilize the initialization of internal circuits by generating power-up signals based on multiple power supply voltages, ensuring that power is supplied only when voltages are stabilized, regardless of the order in which they rise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single power-up signal generation method is used, then the circuit structure is simple, but the initialization is unstable when multiple power supply voltages with different rise speeds are used
Solution Approach 1:
The power-up signal generation is divided into multiple independent blocks: a pre-power-up signal generation block that monitors individual power supply voltages, a level shifting block that adapts voltage levels, and an additional driving block that provides extra drive capability. Each block handles specific aspects of power-up detection, allowing stable initialization even when power supply voltages rise at different speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
A level shifting block is introduced as an intermediary between the pre-power-up signal generation block and the power-up signal output. This level shifting block converts the pre-power-up signal to the appropriate voltage level and provides additional driving capability, ensuring that the power-up signal is generated correctly regardless of the rise speeds of multiple power supply voltages.
2Productivity
If power supply voltage is supplied early to enable faster operation, then productivity increases, but latch-up phenomena may occur reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-power-up signal generation block performs preliminary detection of power supply voltage levels before enabling full operation. By monitoring whether power supply voltages have reached predetermined levels, the circuit ensures that initialization is complete and latch-up conditions are avoided before the semiconductor device begins normal operation, thus maintaining both speed and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The power-up signal generation circuit continuously monitors the power supply voltage levels and uses this feedback information to control the initialization process. The pre-power-up signal generation block detects when voltages reach safe levels, and this feedback triggers the appropriate signaling to enable operation only when conditions are safe, preventing latch-up while maintaining efficient operation.
3Reliability
If power supply voltage level is monitored to prevent errors, then reliability improves, but the time to detect stabilization increases reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-power-up signal generation block uses predetermined voltage levels as thresholds for detection. By setting specific parameter values (voltage thresholds) that correspond to safe operating conditions, the circuit can quickly determine when power supply voltages are stable enough for operation, minimizing detection time while ensuring reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A power-up signal generation circuit including a pre-power-up signal generation block operates by using a first power supply voltage, and generates a pre-power-up signal when the first power supply voltage becomes higher than a first level, and a second power supply voltage becomes higher than a second level; a level shifting block suitable for pull-down driving a first node when the pre-power-up signal is not in an activated state, and pull-up driving the first node with the second power supply voltage when the pre-power-up signal is in the activated state; a driving block suitable for pull-down driving the first node when the second power supply voltage is lower than the second level; and a power-up signal driving block operates by using the second power supply voltage, and generates a power-up signal through a second node by driving the second node based on a voltage level of the first node.