Signal Receiving Circuit With Internal Reference Voltage

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional semiconductor signal receiving circuits require an external reference voltage, which increases development costs and complicates circuit design due to the need for additional pads, and can result in unstable signal reception and altered set up and hold time characteristics under varying environmental conditions.

Innovation Solution

A signal receiving circuit that generates a reference voltage internally using differential clock signals, eliminating the need for an external reference voltage and allowing flexible voltage level adjustment for stable signal reception.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an external reference voltage is supplied from an external circuit, then the signal receiving circuit can operate, but additional pads are required which increases development costs and device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal reception stabilityVSAvoidcircuit configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The semiconductor device generates its own reference voltage internally using a reference voltage generating unit that creates the reference voltage by dividing a voltage difference between a first potential and a second potential. This eliminates the need for external reference voltage supply pads and external reference voltage circuits, making the device self-sufficient and reducing device complexity while maintaining signal reception stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If an external reference voltage is supplied from an external circuit, then the signal receiving circuit can operate, but development costs increase due to additional pads

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal reception stabilityVSAvoiddevelopment cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The semiconductor device generates its own reference voltage internally using a reference voltage generating unit that creates the reference voltage by dividing a voltage difference between a first potential and a second potential. This eliminates the need for external reference voltage supply pads and external reference voltage circuits, making the device self-sufficient and reducing device complexity while maintaining signal reception stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If an external reference voltage is supplied from an external circuit, then the signal receiving circuit can operate, but set up and hold time characteristics are altered under varying environmental conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal reception functionalityVSAvoidset up and hold time characteristics

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The semiconductor device generates its own reference voltage internally using a reference voltage generating unit that creates the reference voltage by dividing a voltage difference between a first potential and a second potential. This eliminates the need for external reference voltage supply pads and external reference voltage circuits, making the device self-sufficient and reducing device complexity while maintaining signal reception stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The logic determination unit determines logic levels of external signals by comparing them against the internally generated reference voltage. The reference voltage can be dynamically adjusted by changing the division ratio between the first and second potentials, allowing the system to adapt to varying environmental conditions and maintain stable set up and hold time characteristics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS7880510B2Semiconductor device for receiving external signal having receiving circuit using internal reference voltage

Publication Date: 2011.02.01 SK HYNIX INC

AI summary

A semiconductor device includes a reference voltage generating unit configured to produce a reference voltage by dividing a voltage difference between a positive clock terminal and a negative clock terminal, and a logic determination unit configured to determine a logic level of an external signal based on the reference voltage.