Receiver Feedback Circuit for Stable Shared Reference Voltage
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Solution Overview
Problem
In parallel bus applications like DRAM, the reference voltage generated for receivers is unstable due to parasitic capacitance, affecting the operations of receivers with different signal patterns.
Innovation Solution
A circuit design with a reference voltage generator and receivers, where specific receivers include an amplifying stage and a feedback circuit between the output and input terminals to cancel noise coupled to the reference voltage, using a capacitor as the feedback circuit to stabilize the reference voltage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single reference voltage generator is used for multiple receivers, then device complexity is reduced, but reference voltage stability deteriorates due to parasitic capacitance coupling from input signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single reference voltage generator into multiple independent reference voltage generators, each dedicated to a specific receiver. This segmentation eliminates the parasitic capacitance coupling issue that affected the shared reference voltage, as each generator is isolated from the input signals of other receivers. The segmentation allows each reference voltage to remain stable while still supporting multiple receivers in the parallel bus architecture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If receivers process signals with different patterns, then adaptability is improved, but reference voltage stability deteriorates when most receivers receive signals with the same sample pattern
Solution Approach 1:
By providing dedicated reference voltage generators to each receiver, the patent ensures that each receiver's reference voltage is independent of the signal patterns processed by other receivers. This eliminates the problem where receivers handling signals with different patterns caused instability in the shared reference voltage, particularly when most receivers received signals with the same sample pattern.
3Device complexity
If parasitic capacitance between received signals and reference voltage is present, then device complexity is reduced, but reference voltage stability deteriorates causing receiver operation degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the parasitic capacitance issue by segmenting the reference voltage generation into separate units for each receiver. This physical separation prevents the coupling of received signals to the reference voltage through parasitic capacitance, thereby maintaining both the simplicity of the overall circuit structure and the reliability of receiver operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces independent reference voltage generators as intermediary elements between the power supply and each receiver. These intermediary generators act as isolation barriers that prevent the direct coupling of input signals to the reference voltage through parasitic capacitance, while still providing the necessary reference voltage for accurate signal reception and processing.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution eliminates noise in the reference voltage, improving receiver performance and allowing for smaller low-pass filters or no additional filters, reducing chip area and manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a level of the reference voltage may be influenced by the received signals due to the parasitic capacitance between the received signals and the reference voltage
Implementation Method 2
the specific receiver comprises at least one amplifying stage... and the specific receiver further comprises a first feedback circuit coupled between the first output terminal and the second input terminal
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a circuit including a reference voltage generator and a plurality of receivers, wherein the reference voltage generator is configured to generate a reference voltage, and each of the receivers is configured to receive the reference voltage and a corresponding input signal to generate a corresponding output signal. In addition, for at least a specific receiver of the plurality of receivers, the specific receiver comprises at least one amplifying stage, the amplifying stage comprises a first input terminal configured to receive the corresponding input signal, a second input terminal configured to receive the reference voltage, a first output terminal configured to generate a first signal, and a second output terminal configured to generate a second signal; and the specific receiver further comprises a first feedback circuit coupled between the first output terminal and the second input terminal.