Shield Lines for Reference Voltage Noise Cancellation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing semiconductor devices face challenges in transmitting reference voltages over long distances on a chip without significant noise interference, as traditional shielding methods can introduce noise fluctuations in the power supply or ground potential, affecting the stability of the reference voltage.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor device design where a pair of shield lines, one supplied with a power supply potential and the other with a ground potential, are strategically placed to sandwich the transmission wire, effectively canceling out noise components and maintaining the stability of the reference voltage during transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If shield lines with fixed ground potential are used to transmit reference voltage over long distances, then noise shielding is improved, but noise fluctuations in the ground potential affect reference voltage stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of shield line potential from fixed ground potential to dynamically adjusted potential that mirrors the reference voltage. By making the shield line potential variable rather than fixed, the shielding effectiveness is maintained while eliminating ground noise coupling into the reference voltage signal.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of fixing the shield line to ground potential and accepting ground noise as inevitable, the patent inverts the approach by making the shield line potential follow the reference voltage. This inversion transforms the shield line from a passive ground-referenced structure to an active reference-voltage-tracking structure, thereby rejecting ground noise.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If shield lines are disposed to sandwich the transmission wire, then noise from adjacent circuits is reduced, but noise in the power supply or ground potential is transmitted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the shield lines multi-functional: they simultaneously provide electrostatic shielding against adjacent circuit noise and serve as noise-free power supply/ground connections for the reference voltage circuit. By tracking the reference voltage, the shield lines fulfill both shielding and clean power delivery functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield lines act as intermediaries that mediate between the noisy ground/power network and the sensitive reference voltage signal. By maintaining potential equivalence with the reference voltage, they provide a clean interface that blocks noise transmission while enabling power delivery.
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 significantly reduces noise transmission and maintains the stability of the reference voltage, even over long distances, by ensuring that noise fluctuations in the power supply and ground potential are in opposite phases, thereby canceling each other out.
Implementation Method 1
noise fluctuations in the power supply and ground potential are in opposite phases, thereby canceling each other out
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor device includes a first circuit, a second circuit, a first wire, and a pair of shield lines. The first circuit includes a voltage generating circuit generating a predetermined voltage and produces the predetermined voltage at an output end thereof. The first wire connects the output end of the first circuit to an input end of the second circuit. The pair of shield lines is disposed so as to sandwich the first wire therebetween. One of the shield lines is supplied with a power supply potential for driving at least one of the voltage generating circuit and the second circuit. Another of the shield lines is supplied with a ground potential for driving at least one of the voltage generating circuit and the second circuit.