Pseudo-Ground Supply Circuit for Standby Leak Current Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional semiconductor devices face challenges in reducing power consumption during standby mode, particularly due to leak currents that can lead to loss of stored information and increased power consumption, especially in devices with low threshold voltage transistors.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor device with a voltage supply control circuit that includes switches and logic circuits to control the state of electrical conduction between voltage interconnections, reducing leak current by discharging charges accumulated in nodes during standby mode and using a third switch to interrupt current paths, thereby minimizing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If low threshold voltage transistors are used to improve circuit performance, then speed and efficiency are improved, but leak current increases causing higher power consumption in standby mode
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply network is segmented into multiple independent voltage domains (first voltage supply network and second voltage supply network), each capable of being independently controlled. This allows the circuit to supply different voltage levels to different segments, enabling low-voltage operation for non-critical circuits to reduce leakage while maintaining high voltage for performance-critical sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes the voltage parameter supplied to different circuit segments based on their operational requirements. By adjusting voltage levels (e.g., switching between first and second voltage supplies), the system optimizes the trade-off between speed and power consumption, allowing low threshold voltage transistors to operate at lower voltages during standby to minimize leak current.
2Reliability
If voltage is continuously supplied to maintain logic states during standby, then data integrity is maintained, but power consumption increases due to leak currents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs preliminary action by pre-charging hold capacitors to appropriate voltage levels before standby mode begins. This preliminary charging ensures that when the circuit enters standby, the logic states are already established and maintained by the charged capacitors, eliminating the need for continuous voltage supply and reducing power consumption while maintaining data integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of leak currents into a beneficial mechanism by using the leakage current itself to maintain the voltage level on pseudo ground lines. The leak current that would normally be wasted is instead utilized to charge and maintain the voltage on hold capacitors, thereby maintaining logic states without requiring additional power consumption.
3Use of energy by moving object
If additional control circuits and switches are added to reduce leak current, then power consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by designing control circuits that perform multiple functions. For example, the voltage supply control circuits not only regulate voltage levels but also manage the timing of voltage transitions, control the charging of hold capacitors, and coordinate the operation of multiple switches. This consolidation of functions into unified control blocks reduces overall device complexity while achieving significant power reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple control functions into integrated control circuits. Rather than having separate control mechanisms for each voltage domain and each switch, the design combines these functions into unified control blocks that manage multiple aspects of power management simultaneously, thereby reducing the total number of discrete components and simplifying the overall device structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A voltage supply control circuit is arranged between a true ground voltage and a pseudo ground line. In an active mode, first and second control signals are at the “H” and “L” levels, respectively. In response to this, a first switch is turned on so that a first node is electrically coupled to a power supply voltage, and attains the “H” level. Further, a second switch is turned on to couple electrically the ground voltage to a second node. In a standby mode, the first and second control signals are at the “L” and “H” levels, respectively. In response to this, a third switch is turned on to couple electrically the first and second nodes together. Since the power supply voltage was electrically coupled to the first node according to the turn-on of the first switch in the active mode, the path of the control signal including the first node to the switch has accumulated charged charges.