Shared Internal Voltage Circuit for Low-Area Banked Memory Operation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing semiconductor devices face challenges in efficiently generating internal voltages while minimizing area and current consumption, and improving operating speed and stability during standby and active operations.
Innovation Solution
The semiconductor device employs an amplifier circuit and driver sharing mechanism to generate internal voltage after the start of standby and active operations, utilizing a current path to increase current discharge and adjust current based on driving control signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate amplifier circuits and drivers are used for standby and active operations, then operating reliability is improved, but device area and current consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The amplifier circuit and driver are designed to perform multiple functions by being shared between standby and active operations. The same amplifier circuit generates internal voltages for both standby mode (VSTB1, VSTB2) and active mode (VCORE), while the driver selectively drives different banks during active operations. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated circuits, thereby reducing device area while maintaining operational reliability through proper voltage generation and control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches the function of the shared amplifier circuit and driver based on operation mode. Control signals selectively enable the amplifier circuit to generate different voltage levels (standby vs. active voltages) and the driver to activate specific banks. This dynamic reconfiguration allows a single circuit to adapt to different operational requirements, reducing area while preserving reliability through mode-appropriate voltage generation.
2Reliability
If separate amplifier circuits and drivers are used for standby and active operations, then operating stability is improved, but current consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shared amplifier circuit and driver are controlled to operate only when needed for specific operations. During standby mode, the amplifier generates lower current consumption voltages (VSTB1, VSTB2), and during active mode, it generates full-performance voltages (VCORE) only for the activated bank. This selective operation reduces overall current consumption compared to having always-on separate circuits, while maintaining stability through appropriate voltage generation for each operational state.
Solution Approach 2:
The amplifier circuit and driver are activated periodically or selectively based on operation mode transitions. The control logic enables the amplifier circuit to generate voltages only when standby or active operations are required, rather than continuously operating separate circuits. This periodic activation pattern reduces average current consumption while maintaining operational stability when the circuits are actively generating voltages.
3Area of stationary object
If amplifier circuit and driver are shared after start of operations, then device area is reduced, but operating speed may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The driver is segmented to selectively drive different banks (first bank, second bank, etc.) independently. During active operations, the driver activates only the specific bank that requires voltage, rather than driving all banks simultaneously. This segmentation allows the shared amplifier circuit to provide voltage to the active bank with minimal delay, as the driver quickly routes the voltage to the required bank. This maintains operating speed by enabling parallel operation of multiple banks through selective activation, while the shared amplifier circuit keeps device area reduced.
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor device includes an internal voltage control circuit including an amplifier circuit and a plurality of drivers. The internal voltage control circuit is configured to drive an internal voltage through the sharing of the amplifier circuit and a driver that is activated, among the plurality of drivers, after the start of a standby operation and an active operation. The semiconductor device also includes a core circuit including a plurality of banks. The core circuit is configured to perform an operation of a bank that is activated, among the plurality of banks, by receiving the internal voltage.