Reference Voltage Circuit Power Control for Flash Memory
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flash memory devices, such as NAND-type and NOR-type flash memories, face significant power consumption issues, particularly in mobile devices powered by batteries, due to the continuous operation of internal reference voltage circuits and periodic refreshing by charge pumps.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor device is designed with a reference voltage circuit, a charge pump, a charge pump detection circuit, and a power consumption control circuit. The power consumption control circuit disables the reference voltage circuit for a specific time period once the output voltage of the charge pump reaches a target value, thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the reference voltage circuit operates continuously to maintain stable voltage output, then the voltage stability is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reference voltage circuit is disabled for a first time period after the charge pump output voltage reaches the target value, and then re-enabled when the voltage drops below the target value. This periodic enable-disable operation reduces power consumption while maintaining voltage stability through controlled refreshing.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the charge pump continuously refreshes the output voltage to maintain target value, then the voltage level stability is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The charge pump operates periodically - enabled when the output voltage drops below the target value and disabled when it reaches the target value. This periodic operation maintains voltage stability while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The charge pump detection circuit continuously monitors the output voltage and provides feedback to the power consumption control circuit, which adjusts the charge pump and reference voltage circuit operation accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures voltage stability is maintained only when necessary.
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 configuration effectively reduces power consumption in the standby mode by periodically enabling and disabling the reference voltage circuit and charge pump, achieving lower power consumption while maintaining operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a charge pump configured to generate an output voltage based on the reference voltage
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor device includes: a reference voltage circuit configured to generate a reference voltage; a charge pump configured to generate an output voltage based on the reference voltage; a charge pump detection circuit configured to detect the output voltage of the charge pump; and a power consumption control circuit configured to disable the reference voltage circuit for a first time period.