Semiconductor Data Transmission Using Strobe Signal and Reference Signal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current semiconductor devices face challenges in achieving high-speed data transmission with low power consumption while maintaining a small size, as they often require multiple data transmission lines and differential schemes that increase complexity and power usage.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a data transmission method and apparatus that uses a single-ended scheme with a strobe signal and a reference signal, where data transmission lines are precharged and discharged at different speeds, allowing for efficient sensing of logic levels using a single reference signal, thereby reducing the number of transmission lines and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple data transmission lines and differential schemes are used, then data transmission reliability is improved, but device size and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple data transmission lines into a single transmission line by using sequential time-division multiplexing. Multiple data bits are transmitted one after another on the same physical line, eliminating the need for parallel transmission lines and reducing device area while maintaining data integrity through timing-based differentiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The single data transmission line serves multiple functions by transmitting different data bits at different time intervals. The same physical infrastructure is reused for multiple data channels, achieving multi-functionality without requiring separate dedicated lines for each data bit, thus reducing overall device size.
2Reliability
If multiple data transmission lines and differential schemes are used, then data transmission reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple data transmission functions into a single transmission line, reducing the total number of active electrical connections. This consolidation decreases the cumulative power consumption associated with driving multiple separate lines while maintaining reliable data transmission through time-division multiplexing and error detection mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic time-division multiplexing to transmit multiple data bits sequentially on a single line. By activating the transmission line only when needed for each data bit and using periodic timing intervals, the system reduces continuous power consumption compared to maintaining multiple lines in constant operation, while ensuring reliable transmission through structured timing protocols.
3Speed
If data transmission lines are discharged at high speed, then data transmission speed is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic discharge speed adjustment where the transmission line discharge speed varies based on the data bit being transmitted. Different discharge rates are used for logic high and logic low states, optimizing the balance between transmission speed and power consumption by matching the discharge characteristics to the specific data requirements rather than using a fixed high-speed discharge for all cases.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes data transmitter having first through N-th data drivers configured to provide first through N-th data signals, respectively, and a strobe driver configured to provide a strobe signal, and a data receiver having a strobe buffer configured to generate a control signal based on the strobe signal, and first through N-th sense amplifiers configured to sense N-bit data based on the control signal, a reference signal and the first through N-th data signals. The bus includes a strobe TSV configured to connect the strobe driver with the strobe buffer, and first through N-th data TSVs configured to connect the first through N-th data drivers with the first through N-th sense amplifiers, respectively. A reference signal supplier controls the reference signal such that a discharge speed of the reference signal is slower than a discharge speed of each of the first through N-th data signals during data transmission.