Semiconductor Circuit Timing Compensation for Separated Layouts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional semiconductor devices face challenges in synchronizing signal arrival times across physically separated circuits due to varying signal path lengths, leading to asynchronous operations, which can be difficult to resolve after mass production and may result in operational timing issues.

Innovation Solution

A semiconductor device and method that utilize a counting unit to generate count codes representing the distance between circuits, a pulse generation unit to create a measurement pulse based on these codes, and an operation signal generation unit to transmit signals at specific edges of the pulse, ensuring synchronized operations regardless of distance differences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If circuits are physically separated to improve functional modularity, then device functionality and ease of manufacture are improved, but signal timing synchronization deteriorates due to varying path lengths

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional modularityVSAvoidsignal timing synchronization

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent measures the signal path length between circuits in advance during the design phase, before mass production occurs. This preliminary measurement allows the system to compensate for path length differences by adjusting signal timing parameters beforehand, ensuring synchronous operation without requiring precise physical path matching during manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the timing parameters of operation signals based on the measured path length between physically separated circuits. By adjusting signal transmission timing dynamically according to the actual path length, the system achieves synchronous operation despite physical separation, resolving the timing synchronization issue while maintaining functional modularity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If delay sections are added to synchronize signal timing, then signal timing synchronization is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal timing synchronizationVSAvoidcircuit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the actual signal path length is measured and used to adjust operation signal timing parameters. This feedback-based approach replaces complex predetermined delay circuits with a simpler system that dynamically adjusts timing based on measured conditions, reducing overall device complexity while achieving synchronization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces physical delay sections (mechanical/circuit-based timing adjustment) with a signal processing approach that uses measured path length information to calculate and apply appropriate timing adjustments. This substitution eliminates the need for additional delay circuitry, reducing device complexity while maintaining synchronization capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If path lengths are made equal to ensure synchronous signal arrival, then signal timing synchronization is improved, but device layout flexibility and area are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal timing synchronizationVSAvoidlayout flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9172382B2Semiconductor device and operating method thereof

Publication Date: 2015.10.27 SK HYNIX INC

AI summary

A semiconductor device includes first and second circuits disposed separately from each other. The first circuit may include: a counting unit suitable for generating count codes, each bit of which is cyclically changing, wherein the count codes include a number of toggles of a sampling signal toggling with a preset frequency representing a distance of single round trip of the sampling signal between the first and second circuits; and a pulse generation unit suitable for generating a measurement pulse according to the count codes representing the distance, wherein the pulse generation unit determines a pulse width of the measurement pulse according to the distance.