Resistor Array With Short-Circuit Lines For Impedance Matching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing semiconductor devices face challenges in accurately adjusting resistance to prevent electrostatic breakdown and ensure impedance matching for transmission lines, particularly with low resistance values, due to manufacturing variations and the need for complex circuits to control gate voltages in variable resistors.
Innovation Solution
A resistor array comprising multiple resistor groups connected in series with short-circuit lines and a common line, allowing for adjustable resistance by enabling or disabling specific resistors, and a driver circuit to amplify and supply signals to these groups, enabling precise impedance matching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed resistor using polysilicon is used, then the resistance value is stable, but the resistance accuracy is poor due to manufacturing variations
Solution Approach 1:
The resistor is divided into multiple segments (first resistor and second resistor) connected in series. By selectively short-circuiting portions of these segments through short-circuit lines, the total resistance can be adjusted in discrete steps to achieve precise resistance values while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The resistor structure incorporates switchable elements (short-circuit lines) that allow the resistance value to be dynamically adjusted after manufacturing. This enables the resistance to be optimized for specific applications without requiring complex manufacturing processes.
2Manufacturing precision
If a variable resistor using transfer gate is used, then the resistance accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional control circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The variable resistor is segmented into multiple fixed resistance portions (first resistor divided into multiple segments, second resistor divided into multiple segments) with short-circuit lines connecting corresponding nodes. This segmentation allows resistance adjustment through simple switching operations rather than complex control circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex gate voltage control circuitry is extracted and replaced with simple short-circuit lines that directly connect nodes. This eliminates the need for reference resistors, comparators, and output drivers while maintaining resistance adjustment capability.
3Reliability
If the resistance is reduced to 700 ohms or less for impedance matching, then the transmission line impedance matching is improved, but the resistance accuracy deteriorates due to manufacturing variations
Solution Approach 1:
The low resistance value is achieved by segmenting the resistor structure and selectively short-circuiting portions of the segments. This allows precise control of the total resistance to achieve impedance matching while maintaining manufacturing accuracy through discrete adjustment steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The resistance value is adjusted by changing the configuration of short-circuit lines that connect different segments. This parameter adjustment allows optimization of resistance for impedance matching without requiring changes to the manufacturing process.
Data Source
AI summary
A resistor array made of a semiconductor includes a plurality of resistor groups and a common line that electrically connects the M-th resistors of the plurality of resistor groups. Each resistor group includes first to M-th resistors connected in series, M being an integer of 2 or greater, and at least one short-circuit line, each short-circuiting at least one, but not all, of the M resistors.