PVT Compensation Circuit Using Ring Oscillator Voltage Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic systems, particularly integrated circuits, face malfunctions due to temperature variations and process/voltage deviations, leading to increased test time and fabrication costs as existing solutions do not effectively compensate for these effects with simple and low-cost circuitry.
Innovation Solution
An electronic system comprising a ring oscillator, detection device, conversion device, and compensation device that uses a digital-to-analog converter or pulse width modulation to detect and adjust voltage deviations, ensuring stable operation by compensating for process, voltage, and temperature effects with a simple and cost-effective circuit design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If iterative modified tests are performed to ensure operational stability under different temperature and process conditions, then reliability of the electronic product is improved, but test time and fabrication costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary calibration during the fabrication process to establish compensation parameters before the product is deployed. By pre-determining the relationship between process parameters and PVT effects through initial testing and calibration, the system eliminates the need for iterative field testing. The calibration data is stored and used to automatically compensate for PVT variations during operation, achieving reliability improvement without requiring repeated tests under different conditions.
2Reliability
If complex compensation circuits are designed to compensate for PVT effects, then operational stability is improved, but device complexity and fabrication costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the approach from complex circuit-level compensation to parameter-based compensation. Instead of designing complex compensation circuits, the system measures actual process parameters (voltage, temperature, frequency) and uses calibration data to calculate compensation values. The compensation is achieved by adjusting operational parameters through digital processing and lookup tables, thereby maintaining operational stability while avoiding complex circuitry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional analog compensation circuits with a digital measurement and calculation system. By using digital sensors to measure PVT parameters and digital processors to calculate compensation values based on calibration data, the system substitutes complex analog circuitry with simpler digital electronics, reducing device complexity while maintaining compensation effectiveness.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional compensation methods are used without PVT calibration, then fabrication costs are reduced, but measurement precision and compensation accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calibration during fabrication to establish precise measurement relationships between process parameters and PVT effects. By pre-determining compensation parameters through initial calibration tests, the system achieves high measurement precision without requiring complex real-time measurement equipment. The calibration data captures the specific characteristics of each fabricated device, enabling accurate compensation tailored to actual manufacturing variations.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic system includes an integrated circuit, powered by a first voltage, with a first device provided therein; a detection device coupled to the first device to detect an output deviation of the first device attributed to process, voltage and temperature (PVT) effects; and a compensation device coupled to the detection device, adjusting the first voltage in response to the output deviation and outputting the first voltage to the integrated circuit to compensate for the PVT effects. The electronic system further comprises a conversion device, coupled between the detection device and the compensation device, to generate an indication signal corresponding to the output deviation for the compensation device to adjust the first voltage. In addition, the compensation device may compare and amplify a difference between a voltage level of the indication signal and a reference to linearly adjust the first voltage for compensating for the PVT effects.