Semiconductor Reference Voltage Circuit Area Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing semiconductor circuits require multiple reference voltage generation circuits to produce voltages independent of temperature, PTAT, and CTAT components, leading to increased area occupancy.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor circuit with a bandgap reference circuit, amplifier, transfer, diode, and resistance circuits that generate reference voltages with varying characteristics (proportional, constant, and inversely proportional to temperature) using control signals to adjust resistance values, allowing for efficient output of main reference voltages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If three separate reference voltage generation circuits are used to generate reference voltages with different temperature characteristics (independent of temperature, PTAT, and CTAT), then the required reference voltage types are achieved, but the area occupied by the reference voltage generation circuits is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges three separate reference voltage generation circuits into a single integrated circuit that can generate all three types of reference voltages (independent of temperature, PTAT, and CTAT) simultaneously. The circuit uses a shared structure with controllable paths to produce different temperature characteristics from one unified design, thereby reducing the total area while maintaining full functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The reference voltage generation circuit is designed with multi-functionality to output three different types of reference voltages based on control signals. By incorporating switchable configurations and controllable current paths, a single circuit performs the work of three separate circuits, achieving versatility without proportionally increasing area.
2Adaptability or versatility
If resistance values are made variable through control signals to adjust current flow, then the ability to generate different reference voltage characteristics is improved, but the device complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit incorporates dynamically controllable resistance values through control signals that adjust the resistance of specific circuits. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the same hardware structure to produce different reference voltage characteristics (independent, PTAT, or CTAT) by changing resistance values in response to control inputs, enabling adaptability without requiring multiple fixed circuits.
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor circuit includes a control signal generation circuit configured to generate control signals in response to a voltage characteristic determination signal and a reference voltage generation circuit configured to output a main reference voltage, having one of a first characteristic of being proportional to temperature, a second characteristic of being constant irrespective of temperature, and a third characteristic of being inversely proportional to temperature, in response to the control signals.