Semiconductor Temperature Data Output Circuit Power-Up Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional semiconductor devices require a significant time to sense and output temperature data during power-up operations, leading to potential refresh failures and increased power consumption due to misrecognized high temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A temperature data output circuit that generates a pulse signal during power-up, activating a temperature sensor to compare reference and sense voltages, allowing for rapid temperature data output by sequentially varying change bits in response to comparison signals, enabling precise temperature sensing before the mode setting signal is applied.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional temperature sensor is activated during power-up operation, then temperature data can be sensed, but the sensing process takes significant time leading to refresh failures and increased power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is activated before the mode setting signal is applied, during the power-up operation. The sensing operation is performed in advance while the device is still in power-up mode, allowing temperature data to be obtained before normal operation begins. This preliminary action eliminates the time delay that would otherwise occur during normal operation and prevents refresh failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature sensing operation is performed periodically during power-up operations. The controller activates the temperature sensor specifically during the power-up phase, and the sensing operation is repeated at each power-up event. This periodic activation ensures that temperature data is always available when needed without continuously operating the sensor during normal operation.
2Measurement precision
If temperature sensing is performed continuously to ensure accurate temperature data, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is activated only during power-up operations and not continuously during normal operation. The controller monitors the operation mode and activates the temperature sensor specifically when a power-up operation is detected. This periodic activation based on operational phases ensures accurate temperature data is obtained when needed while minimizing power consumption by keeping the sensor inactive during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature sensing system automatically activates itself during power-up operations without requiring external intervention. The controller detects the power-up state and autonomously activates the temperature sensor, performs the sensing operation, and outputs the temperature data. This self-service mechanism ensures accurate temperature measurement at the appropriate time while avoiding unnecessary power consumption during normal operation.
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
Enables rapid and accurate temperature sensing at the initial stage of power application, reducing power consumption and preventing refresh failures by outputting exact temperature data before the mode setting signal is applied, thus optimizing semiconductor device operations.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature sensor... to produce a sense voltage that varies according to temperature change
Data Source
AI summary
A method of outputting temperature data in a semiconductor device and a temperature data output circuit are provided. A pulse signal is generated in response to a booting enable signal activated in response to a power-up signal and the generation is inactivated in response to a mode setting signal during a power-up operation. A comparison signal is generated in response to the pulse signal by comparing a reference voltage independent of temperature with a sense voltage that varies with temperature change. The temperature data is changed in response to the comparison signal. Thus, the temperature data output circuit can rapidly output the exact temperature of the semiconductor device measured during the power-up operation.