Semiconductor Shift Register With Low Leakage Transistor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional semiconductor devices face high power consumption and require significant time and energy to restore their state after a power source voltage is restarted, as they rely on external signals for data retrieval and writing, which increases overall power usage.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor device incorporating a logic circuit, a capacitor, and a transistor with low off-state current, where data is stored in the capacitor even when the power is off, allowing for controlled rewriting and reading of data through the transistor, reducing power consumption by minimizing the need for external signals during power restoration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional memory elements are used to store data during power-off periods, then data retention is achieved, but power consumption increases during writing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by storing data in a capacitor before power-off occurs. The capacitor is charged to represent logic levels (0 or 1) and maintains this charge state during power-off periods. This pre-stored charge eliminates the need for power-consuming non-volatile memory write operations when power is restored, as the data is already preserved in the capacitor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a capacitor, which is a simple and inexpensive component with short data retention time (while powered), instead of complex non-volatile memory elements like MRAM. The capacitor serves as a temporary but sufficient storage medium during power-off periods, avoiding the high writing power consumption of non-volatile memory while maintaining data retention functionality.
2Use of energy by moving object
If power source voltage supply is stopped to reduce power consumption, then power savings are achieved, but device state restoration requires additional time and energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by preserving data in the capacitor before power-off. When power is restored, the data is already stored in the capacitor, eliminating the need for time-consuming data re-loading from external memory or re-execution of write operations. The device can quickly restore its operational state by simply re-powering the logic circuit while the capacitor maintains the data.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If external memory is used to store data during power-off, then data retention is achieved, but additional power is required for data reading and writing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the data storage function directly into the logic circuit by using a capacitor connected to the logic circuit's internal nodes. This integration eliminates the need for separate external memory components and the associated data transfer operations. The capacitor serves as on-chip memory that requires no additional power for read/write operations, as data is naturally preserved at the capacitor terminals.
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 enables data storage and retrieval without continuous power supply, reducing power consumption and facilitating quick state restoration in semiconductor devices, such as processors, by using a capacitor and a low off-state current transistor to manage data storage and retrieval.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitor having a pair of electrodes, one of which is supplied with a high power source potential or a low power source potential and the other of which is supplied with a potential of the input terminal of the logic circuit, so that data of a data signal is written as stored data to the capacitor
Implementation Method 2
The off-state current per micrometer of channel width of the transistor is lower than or equal to 100 zA
Data Source
AI summary
Data can be stored even when the supply of a power source voltage is stopped. A semiconductor device includes a logic circuit to which a data signal is input through an input terminal; a capacitor having a pair of electrodes, one of which is supplied with a high power source potential or a low power source potential and the other of which is supplied with a potential of the input terminal of the logic circuit, so that data of the data signal is written as stored data to the capacitor; and a transistor for controlling conduction between the input terminal of the logic circuit and the other of the pair of electrodes of the capacitor, thereby controlling rewriting, storing, and reading of the stored data. The off-state current per micrometer of channel width of the transistor is lower than or equal to 100 zA.