Reference Voltage Generator Boosting Code Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reference voltage generators in semiconductor devices have limitations in generating reference voltages efficiently, as their speed is constrained by the converting speed of digital-analog converters, which affects the overall performance of semiconductor devices like memory devices.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a boosting code circuit that generates a boosting pulse and code to enhance the converting speed of digital-analog converters, allowing for faster generation of reference voltages by adjusting the boosting code value during specific time periods based on the reference code, thereby reducing settling time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the converting speed of the digital-analog converter is increased to improve reference voltage generation speed, then the productivity improves, but the settling time may be insufficient leading to reduced reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by generating a boosting pulse before the normal conversion process to pre-charge or pre-position the DAC output. The boosting code controller generates a boosting code based on the boosting pulse that temporarily adjusts the DAC output code to a value closer to the final reference voltage, reducing the settling time required after the main conversion occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of the DAC output code dynamically by introducing a boosting code that temporarily modifies the conversion result. The boosting code controller adjusts the code value based on the boosting pulse signal, creating a time-varying code that accelerates the voltage establishment process while maintaining the final accuracy determined by the original reference code.
2Productivity
If a boosting code circuit is added to increase converting speed, then the productivity improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the boosting code generation function with the existing DAC structure. The boosting code controller is integrated to work alongside the DAC, and the boosting code is combined with the reference code to produce the final DAC output. This merging approach allows the boosting functionality to be added without requiring a completely separate voltage generation path.
Solution Approach 2:
The boosting code controller serves as an intermediary component that receives the reference code and boosting pulse, processes them together, and generates the boosting code that is then fed to the DAC. This intermediary structure allows the complex boosting logic to be isolated in a dedicated controller rather than distributed throughout the entire voltage generation system.
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor device includes a reference voltage generator configured to output a reference voltage. The reference voltage generator includes a boosting code circuit and a first digital-analog converter (DAC). The boosting code circuit includes a first boosting pulse generator configured to generate a first boosting pulse and a first boosting code controller configured to output a first boosting code based on a reference code and the first boosting pulse. The first DAC is configured to output the reference voltage by converting the first boosting code. The first boosting code has a first code value different from the reference code when the first boosting pulse has a first logic level, and the first boosting code has the same value as the reference code when the first boosting pulse has a second logic level opposite to the first logic level.