Shield Line Level Shifting for Stable Semiconductor Signal Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Semiconductor devices face errors due to voltage level variations in shield lines, which are influenced by adjacent lines, leading to improper signal levels and potential malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a level shifting circuit that adjusts input signals between power supply and ground voltage levels to output shifted signals via the shield line, maintaining a stable voltage level, and using a signal input unit to transfer these signals to an output node, thereby preventing undesired level transitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If shield lines are used to protect adjacent lines, then electromagnetic interference is reduced, but voltage level variations occur due to coupling capacitors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by setting the shield line voltage to a level (either ground or power supply voltage) that is predetermined to counteract the coupling effect before interference occurs. This pre-established voltage level creates a protective barrier that prevents voltage variations from adjacent lines from affecting the shield line's functionality, thereby maintaining reliability while providing electromagnetic shielding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the voltage parameter of the shield line by selectively setting it to either ground voltage or power supply voltage based on the operating mode. This parameter change allows the shield line to adapt its voltage level to counteract coupling effects from adjacent lines, resolving the contradiction between providing effective shielding and maintaining voltage stability for reliable operation.
2Reliability
If dummy lines are used to maintain shield line voltage, then voltage stability is improved, but circuit size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing shield line serve multiple functions: it provides electromagnetic shielding for adjacent lines while simultaneously maintaining its own voltage stability through selective connection to ground or power supply. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dummy lines, maintaining voltage stability without increasing circuit size.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield line serves itself by being selectively connected to ground or power supply voltage based on operational requirements. This self-service mechanism allows the shield line to maintain its own voltage stability without requiring external dummy lines or additional circuitry, thereby avoiding increase in circuit size while ensuring reliable voltage levels.
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
The solution effectively maintains the original signal level on the shield line, preventing errors and ensuring stable operation even when adjacent lines experience voltage level changes, without increasing circuit size by using a dummy line.
Implementation Method 1
a level shifting circuit for receiving an input signal swinging between a power supply voltage level and a ground voltage level, and shifting the input signal to an output signal swinging between a high voltage level higher than the power supply voltage level by a predetermined level and the ground voltage level to output a shifted signal via the shield line
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor device is capable of stably maintaining a voltage level of a shield line, even when a voltage level of an adjacent line is varied. The semiconductor device includes normal lines arranged for transfer of signals, a shield line arranged adjacently to the normal lines, a level shifting circuit for receiving an input signal swinging between a power supply voltage level and a ground voltage level, and shifting the input signal to an output signal swing between the power supply voltage level and a low voltage level lower than the ground voltage level by a predetermined level to output a shifted signal via the shield line, and a signal input unit for transferring the signal provided via the shield line to an output node.