Semiconductor Device Data Transfer via Clock Synchronized Latch Sets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing semiconductor devices face challenges in efficiently transferring data stored in non-volatile memory devices, such as e-fuse arrays, to other constituent elements due to the large space requirements of e-fuses and the difficulty in applying them to row and column fuse circuits, which limits the area reduction and repair operations.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor device is designed with a non-volatile memory unit, a data bus, selection signal generation units, and latch sets that enable efficient data transfer from the e-fuse array to other elements, reducing the need for amplifiers and minimizing area usage by using a clock to synchronize data transfer and enable selection signals sequentially.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If e-fuse is formed of a transistor with large size to directly recognize data without additional sensing operation, then data recognition is simplified, but substantial space is used
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an amplifier as an intermediary component between the e-fuse transistor and the data recognition circuit. The amplifier senses the current flowing through the transistor and converts it into a detectable signal, enabling data recognition without requiring the transistor to be large-sized. This resolves the contradiction by providing a space-efficient sensing mechanism that maintains operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the amplifier to create a magnified copy of the微弱 current signal flowing through the e-fuse transistor. By amplifying the current signal, the system can detect the data state (programmed or unprogrammed) without requiring direct observation of the transistor's physical state, thus avoiding the need for large transistor dimensions.
2Area of moving object
If amplifier is used to sense current flowing through transistor for e-fuse data recognition, then data can be recognized with smaller transistor, but amplifier occupies additional space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the amplifier function with the existing row and column circuit structures by sharing common sensing resources. Multiple e-fuses can share common amplifiers and sensing circuits, reducing the total number of amplifiers required. This integration approach minimizes the additional space occupied by amplifiers while maintaining the ability to sense current through transistors of reduced size.
3Area of moving object
If e-fuse array data is transferred to latch sets sequentially using selection signals, then area is reduced by sharing amplifiers, but data transfer time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-programming the e-fuse array during manufacturing before the device is deployed. The repair information is stored in the e-fuse array in advance, and the sequential transfer to latch sets occurs only when needed during operation. This preliminary preparation reduces the impact of sequential transfer time on overall system performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic selection signals to control the sequential transfer of data from the e-fuse array to multiple latch sets. By using clock-based periodic selection, the data transfer is synchronized with the device's operational cycles, allowing efficient use of available time resources and minimizing idle waiting periods during the transfer process.
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor device includes: a non-volatile memory unit; a data bus configured to transfer data outputted from the non-volatile memory unit; a selection signal generation unit configured to generate a plurality of selection signals based on a clock; and a plurality of latch sets configured to each be enabled in response to a selection signal that corresponds to the latch set among the selection signals and store the data transferred through the data bus.