Signal Transfer Circuit Using Small-Swing Data Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Semiconductor memory devices face increased current consumption and line loading issues due to the transfer of signals with full swing voltage levels through multiple data transmission lines, which hinder high-speed data transfer and power efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A signal transfer circuit that generates input signals at different voltage levels, using a transfer control unit to selectively drive a transfer node to higher or lower voltage levels based on control signals, reducing current consumption by converting full swing signals to small swing signals for transmission and back to full swing for output, without the need for additional conversion circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If signals with full swing voltage levels are transferred through multiple data transmission lines, then reliable signal transmission is achieved, but current consumption increases and line loading elements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the voltage level parameter of the signal during transfer. Specifically, it converts full swing signals (with large voltage amplitude) into small swing signals (with reduced voltage amplitude) for transmission through the data transmission lines. This parameter change reduces the current consumption and line loading effects while maintaining signal integrity through controlled voltage level transitions at the input and output of the transmission lines.
2Reliability
If signals with full swing voltage levels are transferred through multiple data transmission lines, then reliable signal transmission is achieved, but high speed transfer operations are blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by reducing the voltage swing amplitude of signals during transfer. By converting full swing signals to small swing signals for transmission and then restoring them at the output, the patent reduces line loading effects that would otherwise slow down signal propagation. This enables high-speed data transfer operations while maintaining reliable signal transmission.
3Productivity
If the number of data transmission lines increases to transfer more bits simultaneously, then memory device performance improves, but current consumption increases due to increased line loading elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes to the voltage levels of signals on multiple data transmission lines. By converting full swing signals to small swing signals for transmission across multiple lines, the patent reduces the current consumption and line loading effects on each individual line. This allows the system to maintain high productivity by transferring multiple bits simultaneously while reducing the overall current consumption that would otherwise increase with the number of transmission lines.
Solution Approach 2:
The signal transfer circuit serves multiple functions: it converts full swing signals to small swing signals for low-power transmission, maintains signal integrity across multiple transmission lines, and restores the signal levels at the output. This multi-functional approach allows the same circuit structure to handle multiple data bits simultaneously while managing power consumption efficiently.
Data Source
AI summary
A signal transfer circuit includes a signal input unit suitable for generating an input signal corresponding to a first voltage level and a second voltage level, a transfer control unit suitable for controlling a driving path of a transfer node in response to a control signal and selectively driving the transfer node to the second voltage level or a third voltage level, which is higher than the first voltage level, based on the driving path in response to the input signal, and an output control unit suitable for outputting an output signal by driving an output node based on a voltage level of the transfer node or maintaining a previous voltage level of the output node in response to the control signal.