Semiconductor Data Alignment Circuit for Multi-Mode Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing semiconductor memory devices face challenges in efficiently aligning and processing data during read and write operations, particularly in managing different data burst lengths and operation modes.
Innovation Solution
The semiconductor device incorporates an alignment data generation circuit to synchronize and align latch data from input data groups with internal strobe signals, and a write data generation circuit to produce write data in synchronization with a latch clock, ensuring identical data windows across operation modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data alignment is performed using traditional methods in semiconductor memory devices, then data processing can be completed, but the data window consistency across different operation modes cannot be ensured and the processing efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic data alignment by selectively enabling first and second alignment circuits based on the operation mode. In the first operation mode, both alignment circuits are enabled to align data with different strobe signals, while in the second operation mode, only the first alignment circuit is enabled. This dynamic configuration ensures data window consistency across modes while optimizing processing efficiency for each mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The data alignment circuit is designed with multi-functionality to handle different operation modes. The same alignment circuit can operate with different configurations - using both first and second strobe signals in the first mode, and using only the first strobe signal in the second mode. This universal design ensures reliable data alignment across various operation modes without requiring separate dedicated circuits for each mode.
2Reliability
If multiple alignment circuits are used to handle different operation modes, then data window consistency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than permanently duplicating alignment circuits for different modes, the patent uses dynamic enabling/disabling of alignment circuits based on operation mode. Mode control signals selectively activate the first and/or second alignment circuits, allowing the same hardware to serve multiple functions without permanent structural duplication, thus reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.
3Productivity
If data alignment is performed in synchronization with multiple strobe signals, then data processing capability is improved, but the difficulty of controlling and synchronizing data increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces mode control signals as intermediaries that manage the complexity of synchronizing with multiple strobe signals. These control signals selectively enable the first and second alignment circuits based on the current operation mode, acting as a mediator between the multiple strobe signals and the data processing logic. This intermediary layer simplifies the control architecture by providing a unified interface for managing multi-signal synchronization.
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor device includes an alignment data generation circuit aligning first and second latch data generated from a first group of input data in synchronization with a first internal strobe signal, outputting the aligned first and second latch data as first alignment data, aligning a first and second latch data generated from a second group of the input data in synchronization with a second internal strobe signal, and outputting the aligned first and second latch data as second alignment data. The semiconductor device includes a write data generation circuit generating first and second write data from the first and second alignment data in synchronization with a latch clock after the start of a first operation mode and generating the first and second write data from the first alignment data in synchronization with the latch clock after the start of a second operation mode.