Semiconductor Counting Circuit With Overcount Prevention Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Semiconductor devices face challenges in reliably counting input signals and preventing overcounting, which can lead to inaccuracies and reduced reliability.
Innovation Solution
The semiconductor device includes an input control circuit, a counting circuit, an output control circuit, and a counting operation control circuit that generate and manage counting signals and codes to fix the counting code to a maximum value when a set code value is reached, preventing overcounting and ensuring accurate counting operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the counting circuit continues to count input signals without restriction, then the counting operation is simple and continuous, but the counting code may exceed the maximum value leading to overcounting and reduced reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by generating the counting over signal in advance when the counting code approaches the maximum value, before actual overcounting occurs. The counting operation control circuit monitors the counting code and generates the over signal proactively, allowing the input control circuit to prevent further counting inputs before the error happens, thus maintaining reliability without requiring complex real-time intervention mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using the counting code itself as feedback to generate the counting over signal. The counting operation control circuit continuously monitors the counting code output and feeds this information back to generate the over signal, which then feeds back to the input control circuit to prevent further counting. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures counting accuracy while using simple, existing circuit elements
2Reliability
If the counting operation control circuit continuously monitors the counting code to generate the counting over signal, then the reliability is improved, but the additional monitoring and control operations increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the monitoring and control functions into a single integrated counting operation control circuit that performs both functions simultaneously. Rather than adding separate monitoring circuits and control circuits, the design combines these functions in one unit that generates the counting over signal based on the counting code and directly controls the input counting signal, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The counting operation control circuit serves multiple functions: it monitors the counting code, determines when the maximum value is approached, generates the counting over signal, and controls the input counting signal. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate dedicated circuits for each function, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor device may include an input control circuit, a counting circuit, an output control circuit, and a counting operation control circuit. The input control circuit may output a counting input signal based on an input signal and a counting over signal. The counting circuit may generate a preliminary counting code based on the counting input signal. The output control circuit may generate a counting code based on the preliminary counting code. The counting operation control circuit may generate the counting over signal based on a part of the counting code.