Semiconductor Integrated Circuit Inrush Current Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing semiconductor integrated circuits face challenges in quickly switching from a stopped state to an operating state due to inrush currents, which can cause erroneous operations and slow startup times, especially when using the MTCMOS technique.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor integrated circuit design that includes a stoppable circuit unit with multiple voltage lines and switches to isolate and connect these lines during different states, preventing inrush currents from affecting other circuit units and allowing for rapid switching by directing inrush currents through dedicated discharge paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If switch transistors are used to block leakage currents in the MTCMOS technique, then power consumption is decreased, but inrush current flows when switching from stopped state to operating state causing erroneous operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the switch transistor into two separate components: a first switch transistor connected to the supply voltage line and a second switch transistor connected to the reference voltage line. This segmentation allows independent control of each switch, enabling the first switch to be turned on before the second switch when transitioning from stopped to operating state, thereby controlling the inrush current flow path and preventing erroneous operation while maintaining leakage current blocking capability.
2Loss of energy
If switch transistors are used to block leakage currents, then power consumption is decreased, but switching time from stopped state to operating state increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by turning on the first switch transistor (connected to supply voltage line) before turning on the second switch transistor (connected to reference voltage line) when transitioning from stopped state to operating state. This preliminary sequencing prepares the circuit path in advance, allowing rapid switching without the delay previously needed to manage inrush current, thus reducing switching time while maintaining power savings.
3Loss of energy
If MTCMOS technique is applied to logic circuit blocks, then leakage current is blocked in stopped state, but circuit layout becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal switch transistor structure that can be applied to any logic circuit block requiring MTCMOS technique. The standardized configuration with first and second switch transistors connected to supply and reference voltage lines respectively, along with the established control sequencing, provides a multi-functional solution that simultaneously achieves leakage current blocking, inrush current control, and simplified layout methodology across different circuit blocks.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a semiconductor integrated circuit including a stoppable circuit unit configured to be alternately switched between a stopped state and an operating state; a first voltage line configured to apply a first voltage to the stoppable circuit unit when the stoppable circuit unit is in the operating state; a second voltage line configured to apply the first voltage to the stoppable circuit unit when the stoppable circuit unit is in a transient state of switching from the stopped state to the operating state; and a third voltage line configured to apply a second voltage to the stoppable circuit unit.