Semiconductor Integrated Circuit Substrate Voltage Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

In semiconductor integrated circuit devices, independent control of power supply voltage and substrate voltage can lead to latch-up and breakdown voltage degradation due to excessive transistor breakdown voltage, and the elongation of substrate voltage transfer time affects system mode transition.

Innovation Solution

A semiconductor integrated circuit device incorporating a power supply level control circuit, a substrate level control circuit, and a special substrate level control circuit that operates during power supply voltage transition to hasten substrate voltage transfer to desired levels, controlling voltage and current to comply with potential difference conditions between power supply and substrate voltages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If substrate level control is performed independently after power supply level control, then power supply voltage can be controlled, but substrate voltage transfer time is elongated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply voltage controlVSAvoidsubstrate voltage transfer time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines power supply level control and substrate level control into a coordinated control process. The substrate level control circuit operates simultaneously with power supply level control, and the special substrate level control circuit activates during power supply voltage transition to hasten substrate voltage transfer, eliminating the sequential delay of independent control processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The special substrate level control circuit performs preliminary action by activating before the substrate voltage transition is complete. It operates during the power supply voltage transition period to proactively hasten the substrate voltage transfer, rather than waiting for the transition to finish before initiating substrate control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If power supply level control and substrate level control are performed independently, then voltage control flexibility is improved, but latch-up and breakdown voltage degradation occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage control flexibilityVSAvoidtransistor breakdown voltage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback control by having the substrate level control circuit and special substrate level control circuit monitor and adjust substrate voltages based on power supply voltage transitions. This coordinated feedback mechanism ensures that substrate voltages remain within safe limits relative to power supply voltages, preventing latch-up and breakdown while maintaining control flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The special substrate level control circuit acts as an intermediary that mediates between power supply voltage changes and substrate voltage levels. It ensures that substrate voltages transition in a controlled manner that complies with potential difference conditions, preventing direct harmful interactions between independently controlled voltage domains.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of time

If special substrate level control operates continuously, then substrate voltage transfer is hastened, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesubstrate voltage transfer timeVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The special substrate level control circuit operates periodically rather than continuously, activating only during power supply voltage transition periods when substrate voltage hastening is needed. This periodic operation reduces power consumption compared to continuous operation while still achieving fast substrate voltage transfer when required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The special substrate level control circuit applies partial action by operating only during the specific period when power supply voltage is transitioning, rather than continuously. This partial operation provides sufficient substrate voltage transfer hastening during critical transitions while minimizing power consumption during stable operating periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS7816974B2Semiconductor integrated circuit device

Publication Date: 2010.10.19 PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORP

AI summary

A control target circuit formed by transistors is provided with a power supply level control circuit for controlling the power supply voltage supplied to the control target circuit, a substrate level control circuit for controlling the substrate voltages of the transistors, and a special substrate level control circuit for controlling the substrate voltages during transition of the power supply voltage through a different system. During transition of the power supply voltage, the special substrate level control circuit positively controls the substrate voltages such that desired substrate voltage levels are reached earlier, whereby the time for the substrate voltages to transfer to the desired substrate voltage levels is shortened. To suppress latch-up and breakdown voltage degradation, the special substrate level control circuit controls supply of voltages and currents so as to comply with the potential difference conditions defined between the power supply voltage and the substrate voltages.