Semiconductor Fuse Controller Clock Phase Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed semiconductor devices may experience operation errors due to misalignment of clock signal phases between external systems and the semiconductor device, necessitating a clock training operation to align these phases effectively.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor device incorporating a power control signal generator, a fuse controller, and a fuse array portion, where the fuse controller generates a boot-up signal and a fuse reset signal to initialize fuse data based on electrical open/short states of fuses, enabling stable boot-up operations and clock signal phase alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a clock training operation is executed to align clock signal phases, then operation reliability between system and semiconductor device is improved, but operation time and initialization complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fuse controller executes preliminary actions by generating boot-up signals to initialize fuse data before the clock training operation begins. This preliminary initialization ensures that the fuse array portion is ready to properly store and retrieve configuration data needed for clock phase alignment, reducing the overall time required during the actual training operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuse array portion automatically initializes its data in response to the boot-up signal generated by the fuse controller, and subsequently programs fuse data based on electrical open/short states without requiring external intervention. This self-service mechanism reduces the time and complexity of manual configuration during clock training.
2Reliability
If fuse data is initialized during boot-up operation, then device startup reliability is improved, but power consumption and operation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power control signal generator enables the power control signal only during a predetermined period from the termination moment of power-up. This periodic activation ensures that fuse data initialization occurs only when necessary (during boot-up), reducing unnecessary power consumption during normal operation while maintaining boot-up reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuse controller generates the boot-up signal immediately after power-up to initialize fuse data before other operations begin. This preliminary action ensures that essential configuration data is ready before the device enters normal operation, preventing subsequent power-consuming re-initialization cycles.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fuse data is programmed according to electrical open/short states of fuses, then device configuration flexibility is improved, but manufacturing complexity and testing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fuse array portion automatically programs fuse data based on the electrical open/short states of fuses when the power control signal is enabled. This self-programming mechanism eliminates the need for complex external programming equipment and manual configuration, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining configuration flexibility through the inherent fuse states.
Data Source
AI summary
The semiconductor device includes a power control signal generator, a fuse controller and a fuse array portion. The power control signal generator generates a power control signal enabled during a predetermined period from a termination moment of a power-up period and enabled in response to a test mode signal. The fuse controller generates a boot-up signal enabled if a reboot-up signal is inputted during an enablement period of the power control signal. The fuse controller also generates a fuse reset signal enabled if a reset signal is inputted after a clock training operation. The fuse array portion generates a plurality of fuse data initialized if the fuse reset signal is enabled. The plurality of fuse data are programmed according to electrical open/short states of fuses in response to the power control signal.