Semiconductor Switching Control via Virtual Ground Node
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing semiconductor devices require additional voltage generators or boost converters to control switching devices with negative or positive threshold voltages, leading to increased complexity and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The semiconductor devices incorporate a driving unit connected between a power terminal and a ground terminal, utilizing a virtual ground or power node to control switching devices with negative or positive threshold voltages without the need for additional voltage generators, by providing a driving voltage that differs from the virtual node voltage to turn the switching devices on or off.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional voltage generators or boost converters are used to control switching devices with negative or positive threshold voltages, then the switching devices can be properly controlled, but the circuit complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the additional voltage generators and boost converters from the circuit by utilizing the inherent voltage characteristics of the switching device and the natural voltage difference between source and drain terminals. The control mechanism is achieved through the switching device's own threshold voltage特性 and the circuit's inherent voltage distribution, removing the need for separate voltage generation components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the power supply and ground terminals serve multiple functions. The power terminal not only provides power but also serves as a reference for voltage comparison, while the ground terminal serves as both a reference and a return path. The switching device itself performs both switching and voltage reference functions, eliminating the need for dedicated voltage generators.
2Reliability
If additional voltage generators or boost converters are used to control switching devices, then the switching devices can be properly controlled, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the power-consuming additional voltage generators and boost converters from the system. The control voltage is derived from the inherent voltage difference between the power terminal and ground terminal, eliminating the need for active voltage generation circuits that consume power.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching device and power supply system serve themselves by using the inherent voltage characteristics of the switching device and the natural voltage distribution in the circuit. The power terminal and ground terminal provide both power and control voltage references without requiring additional power-consuming voltage generation circuits.
3Device complexity
If the switching device is connected directly to ground terminal, then the circuit is simpler, but additional voltage generators are required for negative threshold voltage control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the reference voltage parameter by connecting the switching device to the power terminal instead of ground terminal. This parameter change allows the device to handle both negative and positive threshold voltages by utilizing the voltage difference between power and ground terminals as the control reference, eliminating the need for separate voltage generators.
4Device complexity
If virtual ground node with voltage higher than ground voltage is used, then switching device with negative threshold voltage can be controlled without additional voltage generator, but the voltage difference must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the power terminal serve dual functions: as the power supply terminal and as the virtual ground reference for the switching device. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate voltage generators while maintaining the required voltage difference through the inherent power supply voltage.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a semiconductor device that may include a switching device having a negative threshold voltage, and a driving unit between a power terminal and a ground terminal and providing a driving voltage for driving the switching device. The switching device may be connected to a virtual ground node having a virtual ground voltage that is greater than a ground voltage supplied from the ground terminal and may be turned on when a difference between the driving voltage and the virtual ground voltage is greater than the negative threshold voltage.