Semiconductor Interface Circuit for Power-Off Leakage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Leakage currents occur at the interface of slave chips in a power-off mode due to unintentional activation of control signals in semiconductor devices, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of pull-down drivers and leakage prevention drivers, controlled by control and leakage prevention signals, to selectively deactivate signals in the power-off mode, preventing leakage currents by maintaining signals at deactivation levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If control signals are left active in power-off mode, then the interface remains responsive to communication, but leakage currents occur causing energy loss and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by proactively deactivating control signals before power-off mode begins. The leakage prevention driver detects the power-off state and preemptively drives control signals to a deactivated logic level, preventing leakage current paths from forming. This anticipatory deactivation resolves the contradiction by eliminating energy loss while maintaining interface reliability through proper signal state management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary anti-action by introducing a leakage prevention driver that counteracts the potential harmful effect of activated control signals in power-off mode. This driver applies an opposing action (deactivation) to control signals that would otherwise remain active, thereby preventing the formation of leakage current paths through the pull-up resistor and eliminating energy waste.
2Loss of energy
If control signals are deactivated in power-off mode, then leakage currents are prevented, but the interface becomes unresponsive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the state of control signals based on the operational mode. In power-off mode, control signals are deactivated to prevent leakage, while in power-on mode, they remain active for normal communication. The leakage prevention driver selectively applies deactivation only to control signals during power-off mode, leaving data signals and other interface functions unaffected, thus maintaining ease of operation when needed while preventing energy loss when appropriate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the state of control signals adaptive to the power mode. The leakage prevention driver dynamically adjusts control signal states based on detection of power-on or power-off conditions. This dynamic behavior allows the interface to be responsive during normal operation (power-on mode) while automatically preventing leakage currents during power-off mode, resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and operational responsiveness.
3Stability of the object's composition
If pull-up resistors are used to maintain logic high level, then the interface maintains stable voltage levels, but leakage currents occur when slave chips are in power-off mode
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary element—the leakage prevention driver—between the control signal source and the interface. This intermediary detects power-off mode and actively drives control signals to a deactivated logic level, blocking the formation of leakage current paths that would otherwise occur through the pull-up resistor. The intermediary prevents the harmful interaction between the pull-up resistor and deactivated slave chip inputs, eliminating leakage while preserving the voltage stability function of the pull-up resistor during normal operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a semiconductor device including a first pad, a pull-up resistor connected between the first pad and a supply terminal of a high voltage, a second pad connected to the first pad, a pull-down driver connected between the second pad and a supply terminal of a low voltage, and suitable for selectively driving the second pad with the low voltage based on a control signal corresponding to a predetermined signal, a first leakage prevention driver connected between an input terminal of the control signal and the supply terminal of the low voltage, and suitable for selectively driving the control signal with the low voltage based on a leakage prevention signal, and a controller connected to the second pad, and suitable for generating the leakage prevention signal based on a mode signal and a tie control signal.