Semiconductor Device Duty Ratio Compensation Circuit
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing semiconductor memory devices face challenges in maintaining optimal input signal characteristics due to variations in duty ratios of input signals, which can lead to deterioration in setup time and hold time.
Innovation Solution
The semiconductor device incorporates a comparator circuit that generates differential output signals with adjusted duty ratios, allowing for phase inversion and compensation to match the input signal, thereby improving signal characteristics by adjusting the timing of strobe signals relative to the input signal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the duty ratio of input signals varies, then signal timing characteristics change, but setup time and hold time deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the duty ratio parameter of the strobe signal from the input signal to a predetermined value (e.g., 50%). The comparator circuit generates a strobe signal with a fixed duty ratio regardless of variations in the input signal's duty ratio, thereby maintaining stable setup and hold times while eliminating timing deterioration caused by duty ratio variations.
2Reliability
If the duty ratio of input signals varies, then signal timing characteristics change, but input signal characteristics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fixes the duty ratio parameter of the strobe signal at a predetermined value independent of the input signal's duty ratio. This parameter change in the strobe signal compensates for variations in the input signal, maintaining optimal input signal characteristics and preventing deterioration even when manufacturing variations cause duty ratio changes.
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor device comprises an input circuit that includes a first comparator configured to output a first output signal and a second output signal having a phase opposite to that of the first output signal, based on a comparison result of a first input signal and a second input signal which is a complementary signal of the first input signal. A duty ratio of the first output signal and a duty ratio of the second output signal are different from a duty ratio of the first input signal and a duty ratio of the second input signal, respectively.