Semiconductor Refresh Control via Temperature-Adaptive Cycle Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional semiconductor devices that perform refresh operations in response to external commands face challenges in finely adjusting the refresh cycle, particularly in auto-refresh mode, and cannot automatically adjust the cycle based on temperature changes or other factors, leading to inefficient power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor device incorporating a temperature detection circuit, counter circuit, and comparison circuit that generates a match signal to control the refresh operation, allowing for fine adjustment of the refresh cycle based on temperature changes and reducing power consumption by selectively performing refresh operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the refresh cycle is extended to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but the information-holding time requirement may not be met
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the refresh cycle based on temperature conditions. The refresh control circuit changes the refresh cycle from a fixed value to a variable value that adapts to temperature changes, allowing longer cycles at low temperatures and shorter cycles at high temperatures, thus optimizing power consumption while ensuring reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the refresh cycle parameter based on temperature detection. By monitoring temperature and adjusting the refresh cycle accordingly, the system optimizes power consumption at different temperature conditions while maintaining the required information-holding time
2Reliability
If the refresh cycle is fixed according to standards, then reliability is ensured, but power consumption cannot be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the fixed refresh cycle into a dynamic one by introducing temperature-based adjustment mechanisms. The refresh control circuit automatically adjusts the refresh cycle based on detected temperature conditions, enabling power optimization without compromising the minimum information-holding time requirement
3Ease of operation
If the refresh cycle is adjusted in integer multiples only, then control is simplified, but fine adjustment capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic refresh cycle adjustment mechanism that goes beyond fixed integer multiples. By using temperature-based control and counters, the system achieves fine-grained adjustment of the refresh cycle, enabling precise optimization while maintaining automated control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms through temperature detection circuits and counters that monitor refresh operations. This feedback enables precise adjustment of the refresh cycle by comparing actual temperature conditions with predefined thresholds and adjusting accordingly
4Ease of manufacture
If manual setting of refresh cycle is used, then manufacturing control is simplified, but automatic adaptation to temperature changes is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service functionality by incorporating temperature detection circuits and automatic control logic within the semiconductor device. The device automatically detects temperature changes and adjusts its own refresh cycle without requiring external intervention, enabling both ease of manufacture and temperature adaptability
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
The solution enables precise adjustment of the refresh cycle, minimizing power consumption by automatically adapting to temperature changes and reducing the frequency of refresh operations, thereby optimizing power usage without complex control from the memory controller.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature detection circuit that generates a temperature code based on a temperature of the semiconductor device
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a semiconductor device including a temperature detection circuit that detects a temperature of the semiconductor device and outputs temperature information, a counter circuit that takes a count of repeated inputs of a refresh command and outputs count information, a comparison circuit that activates a match signal when the temperature information matches the count information, and a refresh control circuit that controls whether to perform a refresh operation according to activation of the refresh command based on the match signal. According to the present invention, a refresh cycle can be finely adjusted because the repeated inputs of the refresh command are thinned out based on the temperature information. With this configuration, power consumption caused by the refresh operation can be reduced.