Sense Amplifier Driving Device for DRAM Power Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Semiconductor memory devices face challenges in maintaining efficient data retention and reducing power consumption due to the limitations of post overdriving operations, which are affected by varying power supply voltages, leading to either excessive current consumption or inadequate voltage levels for bit lines in DRAMs.
Innovation Solution
A sense amplifier driving device that selectively supplies a post overdriving voltage to a pull-up power line based on a comparison between a reference voltage and the power supply voltage, controlling the post overdriving operation to optimize data retention and reduce power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If post overdriving operation is performed regardless of power supply voltage level, then bit line reaches target voltage level quickly, but unnecessary current consumption occurs when power supply voltage is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the sense amplifier based on the power supply voltage level. When the power supply voltage is high, the post overdriving operation is disabled, preventing excessive current consumption. When the power supply voltage is low, the post overdriving operation is enabled to ensure the bit line reaches the target voltage level quickly. This dynamic parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between speed and energy consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If post overdriving operation is not performed when power supply voltage is low, then power consumption is reduced, but bit line cannot reach target voltage level quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the post overdriving operation parameters based on the detected power supply voltage level. When the power supply voltage is low, the system enables post overdriving to ensure sufficient charging current to reach the target voltage level. When the power supply voltage is high, the system disables post overdriving to reduce power consumption. This conditional parameter change resolves the contradiction between power consumption and voltage reaching speed.
3Speed
If sense amplifier operates with high power supply voltage, then operation speed is improved, but data retention and refresh characteristics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the sense amplifier operating parameters based on the power supply voltage level. When the power supply voltage is high, the patent disables the post overdriving operation to prevent excessive current that would cause bit line overshooting and deteriorate data retention characteristics. When the power supply voltage is low, the patent enables post overdriving to ensure sufficient charging current for reliable data retention. This dynamic parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between operation speed and data retention reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A sense amplifier driving device may include a sense amplifier driving block configured to supply a post overdriving voltage to a pull-up power line coupled to a sense amplifier, the post overdriving voltage supplied to the sense amplifier during a post overdriving operation period in correspondence to a pull-up driving signal. The sense amplifier driving device may include a driving signal generation block configured to compare a reference voltage, set by a voltage trimming signal, with a level of a power supply voltage, and generate the pull-up driving signal for controlling whether to perform a post overdriving operation.