Shared Reference Voltage Circuit for Multi-Receiver Semiconductor I/O
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing semiconductor apparatus requires multiple voltage dividers and reference voltage controllers for each receiver, leading to increased space occupation and power consumption, which compromises operation performance.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor apparatus is designed with a single voltage divider and multiple reference voltage controllers, where each controller selects appropriate division voltages to generate reference voltages for corresponding receivers, reducing the need for individual voltage dividers and controllers for each receiver.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If each receiver has its own voltage divider and reference voltage controller, then each receiver can individually optimize reference voltage selection, but space occupation and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple voltage dividers into a single shared voltage divider that generates multiple division voltages. These division voltages are then distributed to multiple reference voltage controllers, each associated with different receivers. This consolidation reduces the total circuit area while maintaining the ability of each receiver to individually optimize its reference voltage selection through its dedicated controller.
Solution Approach 2:
The single voltage divider is designed to serve multiple functions by generating a set of division voltages that can be selectively used by multiple reference voltage controllers. Each controller can select from the same pool of division voltages based on its specific receiver's requirements, making the voltage divider a universal component that supports multiple adaptive reference voltage generation tasks simultaneously.
2Adaptability or versatility
If each receiver has its own voltage divider and reference voltage controller, then reference voltage can be optimized for each channel, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple voltage divider circuits into one shared voltage divider that serves all receivers. Since voltage dividers are power-consuming components, consolidating them reduces redundant power consumption. The single voltage divider generates multiple division voltages that are then distributed to multiple reference voltage controllers, each of which can independently select appropriate voltages for its associated receiver, maintaining channel-specific optimization while reducing overall power usage.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having each receiver include a full voltage divider circuit, the patent creates a single voltage divider and then distributes copies of its output voltages to multiple receivers through reference voltage controllers. This approach eliminates the need to power multiple identical voltage divider circuits while still providing each receiver with the ability to select from multiple voltage levels for optimal reference voltage operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple voltage dividers are used for each receiver, then reference voltage selection flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the voltage divider functionality into a single shared circuit that generates multiple division voltages. This reduces device complexity by eliminating redundant voltage divider circuits while maintaining reference voltage selection flexibility through the distribution of these division voltages to multiple reference voltage controllers. Each controller can independently select from the available division voltages based on its specific receiver's channel characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the reference voltage generation function into two independent parts: a shared voltage divider that generates multiple division voltages, and multiple reference voltage controllers that independently select from these voltages. This segmentation allows the system to maintain flexibility in voltage selection for each receiver while reducing overall circuit complexity by sharing the voltage divider infrastructure across all receivers.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration reduces space occupation, minimizes power consumption, and improves timing margins by simplifying the reference voltage generation circuit and reducing the length of clock transmission lines, thereby enhancing the semiconductor apparatus's performance.
Implementation Method 1
The voltage divider may divide a power supply voltage into a plurality of division voltages by utilizing a plurality of resistors
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor apparatus includes a voltage divider, a plurality of reference voltage controllers, and a plurality of receivers. The voltage divider outputs a plurality of division voltages. Each of the plurality of reference voltage controllers is configured to receive in common the plurality of division voltages. Each of the plurality of receivers is configured to receive data by utilizing at least one reference voltage. The plurality of reference voltage controllers are coupled to the plurality of receivers in a one-to-one manner, and each of the plurality of reference voltage controllers is configured to select at least one division voltage among the plurality of division voltages and provide the one division voltage as the at least one reference voltage to a corresponding receiver among the plurality of receivers.