Semiconductor Device Latch Control Circuit Data Alignment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Semiconductor memory devices, such as DDR SDRAM, face challenges in efficiently controlling and aligning large amounts of data during read and write operations, particularly in ensuring proper signal transmission and reception between internal and external circuits.

Innovation Solution

The semiconductor device incorporates a latch control circuit and a pipe latch circuit configured to generate and manage latch input and output signals, enabling data alignment and output through a series coupling of pipe latches, which are synchronized with internal and external clock signals to facilitate efficient data transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If pipe latch circuits are used to control large amounts of data, then signal transmission and reception capacity increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission capacityVSAvoidcircuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pipe latch circuit is divided into multiple stages (first pipe latch circuit, second pipe latch circuit, third pipe latch circuit) that process data in sequence. Each stage handles a portion of the data transmission task, allowing the system to manage large amounts of data through modular, manageable units rather than a single complex circuit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Alignment circuits are introduced as intermediary components between the pipe latch circuits and external devices. These alignment circuits (first alignment circuit, second alignment circuit) act as mediators that synchronize and coordinate the data flow, enabling efficient data transmission without requiring direct complex interfacing between all components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple pipe latch circuits are coupled in series for data alignment, then data alignment capability improves, but signal transmission delay increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata alignment precisionVSAvoidsignal transmission delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Clock signals are used to periodically trigger the operation of each pipe latch circuit stage. The first clock signal, second clock signal, and third clock signal operate in a periodic manner to sequentially enable data latching and transmission through each stage, providing rhythmic synchronization that maintains alignment precision while managing transmission timing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The pipe latch circuits are pre-configured with enable signals and clock signals before data transmission begins. The first enable signal, second enable signal, and third enable signal are prepared in advance to ensure that each circuit stage is ready to receive and process data at the appropriate time, reducing actual transmission delay during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If pipe latch circuits synchronize with internal clock signals, then signal transmission synchronization improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal synchronizationVSAvoidcontrol circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clock signal generation circuit serves multiple functions by generating different clock signals (first clock signal, second clock signal, third clock signal) that are used across different pipe latch circuit stages. This universal clocking mechanism provides synchronization throughout the system without requiring separate control circuits for each stage, reducing overall complexity while maintaining reliable synchronization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10762933B2Semiconductor device
Publication Date: 2020.09.01 SK HYNIX INC
  • US10762933B2 patent drawing
  • US10762933B2 patent drawing
  • US10762933B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A semiconductor device includes a latch control circuit configured to generate a latch input signal, which is enabled in response to a latency signal, and configured to generate a latch output signal, which is enabled in response to an order control signal. The semiconductor device also includes a pipe latch circuit configured to latch input data in response to a pipe input signal and configured to output the latched input data as latch data in response to a pipe output signal. The semiconductor device additionally includes a data output circuit configured to latch the latch data in response to the latch input signal and configured to output the latched latch data as output data in response to the latch output signal, wherein the output data is outputted by performing an alignment operation for the latch data in response to the latch output signal.