Semiconductor Data Output Path Pre-Toggling Voltage Stabilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

As the operation speed of semiconductor apparatuses increases, data output characteristics deteriorate due to unstable voltage levels in the data output path during read operations, leading to inefficiencies in data output.

Innovation Solution

A semiconductor apparatus with a data output path that performs a pre-toggling operation on its output signal before data output, maintaining a fixed voltage level at the data input/output pads, utilizing a multiplexing circuit and main driver to stabilize the voltage and improve data output characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the operation speed of semiconductor apparatus is increased, then productivity is improved, but data output characteristics deteriorate due to unstable voltage level

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation speedVSAvoiddata output characteristics

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing a pre-toggling operation on the output signal of circuit configurations in the data output path before actual data output occurs. This pre-toggling stabilizes the voltage level at the data input/output pad during high-speed operations, preventing deterioration of data output characteristics while maintaining increased operation speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If pre-toggling operation is performed to stabilize voltage level, then data output characteristics are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage level stabilityVSAvoidcircuit configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by configuring circuit elements within the data output path to perform pre-toggling operations on their own output signals. Each circuit configuration toggles its own output signal at least once between the read command generation time point and the data output time point, eliminating the need for separate external control circuits and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If pre-toggling operation is performed before data output, then data output characteristics are improved, but operation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata output stabilityVSAvoidoperation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by implementing the pre-toggling operation as a periodic signal generation within the data output path. The circuit configurations generate periodic toggling signals that prepare the voltage level in advance, allowing the stabilization process to occur rhythmically and efficiently without significantly extending the overall operation time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS11327911B2Output control circuit and semiconductor apparatus including the same

Publication Date: 2022.05.10 SK HYNIX INC

AI summary

A semiconductor apparatus may include a data output path connected to a data input/output pad and configured to output read data according to a read command, and at least one circuit configuration included in the data output path may perform a pre-toggling operation of toggling its own output signal at least once in an interval between a time point at which the read command has been generated and a time point at which the read data is outputted through the data output path.