Semiconductor Integrated Circuit Power Supply Line Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mirror circuits experience deviations in current value due to IR drops on power supply lines, which affect the accuracy of current copying in analog circuits.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a semiconductor integrated circuit design that includes a first and second power supply line connected at a specific point, excluding end portions, and a voltage supplied circuit, which reduces line resistance and minimizes IR drops by bisecting the power supply line and optimizing the placement of bias generating transistors relative to the IR drop distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the power supply line is made shorter or thinner to reduce line resistance, then the IR drop is reduced and current copying accuracy is improved, but the area occupied by the power supply line is reduced which may affect circuit layout flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply line is divided into a first power supply line and a second power supply line that are connected at a specific point. This segmentation allows the bias generating circuit to be supplied from a different location than the current mirror circuit, enabling independent optimization of each line's path and reducing the IR drop impact on current copying accuracy while maintaining reasonable line areas.
2Measurement precision
If the connection point of the second power supply line is moved to optimize IR drop equalization, then current copying accuracy is improved, but the circuit layout complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection point of the second power supply line is specifically positioned within a defined range (0.3L to 0.7L from the voltage supply source) to achieve local optimization of IR drop equalization. This localized quality control approach improves current copying accuracy by ensuring that the bias generating circuit experiences similar IR drop conditions as the current mirror circuit, without requiring complex global redesign of the entire power distribution network.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration reduces the deviation in current value, improves accuracy, and enhances area efficiency in current mirror circuits by halving the line resistance and equalizing IR drops between different sections of the power supply lines.
Implementation Method 1
an TR drop occurs which is a voltage drop determined by an IR product, i.e., the product of a line resistance R of the line and a current I flowing through the line
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a first power supply line, a second power supply line, and a voltage supplied circuit. The first power supply line is connected to a voltage supply source. The second power supply line is connected to the first power supply line at a connection point connecting a first point of the first power supply line and a second point of the second power supply line. The second point is included in a portion of the second power supply line excluding end portions of the second power supply line. The voltage supplied circuit is connected to the second power supply line.