Semiconductor Voltage Selection Circuit for Pin-Limited ICs
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The miniaturization of semiconductor IC devices limits the number of pins and functions due to size constraints, necessitating a solution that allows for multiple functions while reducing the number of external terminals.
Innovation Solution
A buck DC/DC converter with a semiconductor device that utilizes a configuration allowing for function selection through a second external resistor, enabling the generation of multiple output voltages from a single terminal by varying the resistance value of the resistor, and employing a count circuit to generate a count signal for decoding the desired output voltage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the number of external terminals is reduced for miniaturization, then the device size is reduced, but the functional capabilities are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling a single external terminal to provide multiple output voltage values through the combination of an internal resistor and a second external resistor. The output voltage selection is achieved by varying the resistance value of the second external resistor, allowing one terminal to serve multiple voltage output functions that would traditionally require multiple separate terminals
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by varying the resistance value of the second external resistor to select different output voltage values. The count circuit counts clock signals to generate a count signal that corresponds to different resistance values, and the decoder converts this count signal into the appropriate output voltage level, thereby achieving multiple functions through parameter variation rather than multiple physical terminals
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a semiconductor device including a drive voltage generation circuit configured to generate a drive voltage on the basis of a first external resistor externally attached to a first external terminal, a first signal generation circuit configured to generate a first clock signal for pulse driving based on the drive voltage and a second external resistor externally attached to a second external terminal, a second signal generation circuit configured to generate a second clock signal for pulse driving based on an internal resistor and the drive voltage, a count circuit configured to generate a count signal according to a count value obtained by counting pulses of the first clock signal in a determination section while counting the determination section according to pulses of the second clock signal, and a multifunction output circuit configured to output an output signal of an output value that differs depending on the count signal.