Semiconductor Voltage Control via Synchronized Substrate Bias Pumping

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing semiconductor integrated circuits face reliability issues and increased current loss due to unstable internal power supply voltages, particularly because the substrate bias voltage VBB rises with the elevated voltage level, causing coupling noise and deviations from target values.

Innovation Solution

The semiconductor integrated circuit incorporates a substrate bias voltage detector and pump that operate in synchronization with the elevated voltage pump to prevent abnormal rising of the substrate bias voltage, using a pulse generating unit to ensure the substrate bias voltage pump operates concurrently with the elevated voltage pump, thereby maintaining stable voltage levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate control structures for VPP and VBB are used, then each voltage can be controlled independently, but coupling noise occurs and VBB rises with VPP causing instability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent voltage controlVSAvoidvoltage stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the control of VPP and VBB by making the VBB detector respond to VPP variations. The VBB detector's enable signal is generated based on both VBB level and VPP level, creating a coordinated control mechanism that prevents coupling noise and maintains voltage stability while preserving independent control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If VBB detector response time is longer than VPP detector, then VBB control is less aggressive, but VBB cannot compensate for rapid VPP changes causing instability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol aggressivenessVSAvoidvoltage stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by having the VBB detector monitor VPP levels in advance. When VPP is detected to be lower than a predetermined threshold, the VBB detector proactively generates an enable signal to activate the VBB pump before VBB becomes unstable, allowing preventive compensation rather than reactive correction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If VBB pump operates to lower VBB when VPP rises, then coupling noise is reduced, but additional control complexity is introduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling noiseVSAvoidcontrol structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies multi-functionality by designing the VBB detector to serve dual purposes: monitoring VBB level and detecting VPP level. This single detector performs multiple functions, eliminating the need for separate control structures and reducing overall system complexity while effectively suppressing coupling noise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS7583134B2Semiconductor integrated circuit and method of controlling internal voltage of the same

Publication Date: 2009.09.01 SK HYNIX INC

AI summary

A semiconductor integrated circuit comprising: a first voltage generator configured to generate a first voltage in response to activation of a first enable signal, wherein the first enable signal is generated by detecting a level of the first voltage; and a second voltage generator configured to generate a second voltage in response to activation of at least one of the first enable signal and a second enable signal, wherein the second enable signal is generated by detecting a level of the second voltage.