Semiconductor Apparatus Voltage Generator Clock Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing semiconductor apparatuses require additional circuitry to generate a clock frequency different from normal operation, leading to increased circuit size and complexity when diagnosing operational failures.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor apparatus with a voltage generator that selects between normal and low voltages and a clock generator that maintains a constant frequency, allowing for stricter operational conditions without increasing circuit size by changing the power supply voltage rather than the clock frequency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a circuit for generating a clock frequency different from normal operation is added, then diagnosis under stricter conditions is enabled, but circuit size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the power supply voltage parameter instead of changing the clock frequency parameter. By lowering the power supply voltage to a low voltage level during diagnosis, the semiconductor apparatus creates stricter operational conditions that reveal potential failures without requiring additional clock generation circuits. This parameter substitution resolves the contradiction by achieving diagnosis capability while avoiding circuit size increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing clock generation circuit is made multi-functional by using it for both normal operation and diagnosis modes. Instead of adding a separate clock generation circuit for diagnosis, the patent utilizes the existing clock circuit with a constant frequency while varying the power supply voltage. This allows the same circuit to serve multiple purposes, eliminating the need for additional circuitry and maintaining compact size while enabling comprehensive diagnosis.
2Reliability
If clock frequency is changed for diagnosis, then stricter operational conditions are achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes changing the clock frequency parameter with changing the power supply voltage parameter. By controlling the power supply voltage to switch between normal voltage and low voltage levels, the system achieves stricter operational conditions for diagnosis without modifying the clock frequency. This simplifies the device architecture by eliminating the need for multiple clock generation circuits or frequency multiplication logic, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining diagnosis capability.
3Area of stationary object
If power supply voltage is changed instead of clock frequency, then circuit size is reduced, but operational conditions may not be strict enough
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the power supply voltage parameter by introducing a specific low voltage level that is lower than the normal operating voltage. This low voltage condition creates sufficiently strict operational margins that expose potential circuit deteriorations and failures. The voltage level is carefully selected to be low enough to stress the circuit but not so low as to cause false failures, thereby achieving effective diagnosis capability while maintaining a compact circuit design without additional clock generation hardware.
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the invention is to provide a semiconductor apparatus capable of achieving conditions that are stricter than the conditions in which the stable operation is guaranteed, without increasing the circuit size. A semiconductor apparatus (10) includes a semiconductor circuit (11); a voltage generator (12) that selects one of at least two types of voltages and applies a power supply voltage, the at least two types of voltages including a normal voltage at which the semiconductor circuit (11) normally operates and a low voltage which is lower than the normal voltage; and a clock generator (13) that supplies the semiconductor circuit (11) with a clock signal having a constant frequency regardless of the power supply voltage.