Semiconductor Device Postamble Extension for Glitch Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
The instability of the high impedance section in data strobe signals can lead to glitches, reducing the data window margin and limiting high-speed operations in semiconductor devices, particularly in DRAM deserialization stages.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor device with a signal generator producing a differential data strobe signal and a converter that extends the postamble section's length or converts it to include edges, preventing glitches by reducing overlap with the high impedance state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the data strobe signal enters high impedance state after the postamble section, then power consumption is reduced and signal transmission is completed, but the high impedance section becomes unstable and causes glitches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by extending the postamble section duration before the signal transitions to high impedance state. This extended postamble provides a longer stable reference period, ensuring that the transition to high impedance occurs after a sufficient stabilization period, thereby preventing glitches while still achieving power savings through high impedance state entry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temporal parameter of the postamble section by extending its duration from a first length to a second length. This parameter modification ensures that the signal remains in a stable, non-high-impedance state for a longer period, preventing instability and glitches while allowing the system to transition to high impedance afterward for power conservation.
2Reliability
If the postamble section length is extended, then the data window margin is maintained and timing stability is improved, but the signal duration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by extending the postamble section to a specific optimized duration (second length) that is sufficient to maintain data window margin and prevent glitches, but not excessively long. This balanced approach provides just enough stabilization time to ensure reliability while minimizing the overall signal duration impact.
3Measurement precision
If the postamble section is converted to include edges, then synchronization precision is improved and timing margins are maintained, but the signal complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by adding edges specifically within the postamble section rather than modifying the entire signal structure. This localized modification provides the necessary synchronization precision and timing margin maintenance in the critical postamble region without unnecessarily complicating the overall signal structure elsewhere.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a semiconductor device comprising a signal generator that generates a differential data strobe signal, and a converter that extends a length of a postamble section of the differential data strobe signal from a first length to a second length, wherein the differential data strobe signal enters a high impedance state after the postamble section.