Semiconductor Flag Pipe for Power and Area Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Semiconductor devices face challenges in reducing power consumption and layout area during write operations for data patterns, particularly in managing flags for pattern modes and data copy modes, which affects efficiency and performance.
Innovation Solution
The semiconductor device incorporates a flag pipe, pattern mode control circuit, and data copy control circuit to latch and output delayed flags, allowing for efficient control of pattern modes and data copy operations, reducing power consumption and layout area by optimizing flag generation and data path utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate flag circuits are used to manage pattern mode flags and data copy flags, then the reliability of flag management is improved, but the layout area and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate flag circuits into a single integrated flag pipe that handles both pattern mode flags and data copy flags. This consolidation reduces the overall layout area while maintaining the functional reliability of flag management through unified control logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The flag pipe is designed as a universal circuit that can latch and delay multiple types of flags (pattern mode flags and data copy flags) through the same structural pathway. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated circuits for each flag type, thereby reducing layout area while preserving management reliability.
2Reliability
If multiple separate flag circuits are used to manage pattern mode flags and data copy flags, then the reliability of flag management is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple independent flag management circuits into a single integrated flag pipe structure. This reduces device complexity by eliminating redundant circuit elements while maintaining reliable flag management through centralized control logic that handles both pattern mode and data copy flags.
Solution Approach 2:
The flag pipe serves as a universal circuit that can process and delay different types of flags through the same structural pathway. This multi-functional design simplifies the overall device architecture by replacing multiple specialized circuits with one versatile structure, thereby reducing device complexity while preserving management reliability.
3Productivity
If data is written through multiple data paths simultaneously, then the productivity of write operations is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of data path activation through the pattern mode control circuit and data copy control circuit. These circuits selectively enable or disable specific data paths based on the current operation mode and flag states, allowing high-speed multi-path writing when needed while reducing power consumption by deactivating unnecessary paths during other operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuits provide localized control over different data paths by setting specific data patterns for the first and second data paths based on delayed pattern control flags. This allows each data path to be optimized and activated only when required, improving write productivity through selective parallel operation while minimizing overall power consumption by keeping inactive paths in low-power states.
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor device includes a flag pipe, a pattern mode control circuit, and a data copy control circuit. The flag pipe is configured to latch a pattern mode flag, a first pattern control flag, a second pattern control flag, a data copy flag, and an enlargement data copy flag based on a pipe input control signal and output a delayed pattern mode flag, a first delayed pattern control flag, a second delayed pattern control flag, and a synthesis data copy flag based on a pipe output control signal. The pattern mode control circuit is configured to set a first data pattern or a second data pattern based on the delayed pattern mode flag, the first delayed pattern control flag, and the second delayed pattern control flag. The data copy control circuit is configured to copy data inputted through a first data pad onto a data path electrically connected to a second data pad based on the synthesis data copy flag.