Temperature Sensing Circuit Digital Code Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Semiconductor devices, such as DRAMs, face challenges in optimizing their characteristics due to mismatched ranges of temperature code values generated by temperature sensing circuits, which affect power consumption and data retention, necessitating a method to adjust the variation range of temperature code values according to target specifications.
Innovation Solution
A temperature sensing circuit that adjusts the slope and y-intercept of a temperature code characteristic line digitally, using a code signal generator, comparator, reference clock generator, and final temperature code signal generator, with bias units, ring oscillators, counters, and an adder to modify the temperature code signals and align them with target temperature code values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the temperature sensing circuit outputs temperature codes directly without modification, then the circuit complexity is reduced, but the temperature code range does not match the required specification range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the temperature code values through digital operations. The code modification unit changes the parameters of the temperature code (slope and offset) to transform the output range to match the required specification range, resolving the contradiction between simple circuit design and code range matching.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a code modification unit as an intermediary component between the temperature sensing circuit and the system requiring temperature codes. This intermediary unit performs digital modification operations on the temperature codes, enabling the system to adapt the code range without fundamentally changing the sensing circuit itself.
2Use of energy by stationary object
If the refresh period is lengthened in low-temperature region, then power consumption is reduced, but data retention may be compromised if temperature varies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the refresh period adaptive rather than fixed. The system dynamically adjusts the refresh period based on the modified temperature codes that reflect actual temperature conditions. This allows the refresh period to be lengthened at low temperatures to save power while being shortened at high temperatures to maintain data retention, resolving the contradiction between power consumption and reliability.
3Reliability
If the refresh period is shortened in high-temperature region, then data retention is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic adjustment mechanism enabled by the modified temperature codes allows the system to optimize the refresh period based on actual temperature conditions. At high temperatures, the system shortens the refresh period to ensure data retention, while the modification operations ensure this adjustment is made efficiently. This resolves the contradiction by making the refresh period adaptive rather than uniformly short.
4Manufacturing precision
If digital modification operations are applied to temperature codes, then the variation range of temperature code values is adjusted to match specifications, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex hardware modification circuits with digital modification operations. Instead of using complex analog or hardware-based temperature code adjustment circuits, the system uses digital logic operations (addition, subtraction, bit manipulation) to modify the temperature codes. This substitution achieves precise temperature code adjustment while keeping the added complexity minimal and manageable.
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 solution allows for precise adjustment of temperature code values, optimizing semiconductor device performance by aligning the variation range with target specifications, thereby improving data retention and reducing power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
The first ring oscillator is configured to output a first clock having a variable period in response to the first and second bias signals
Implementation Method 2
The second ring oscillator is configured to generate and output the reference clock in response to the third and fourth bias signals in the activation period of the comparison signal
Implementation Method 3
The comparator is configured to receive the first count signal and a control signal, compare the first count signal with the control signal and output a comparison signal
Data Source
AI summary
A temperature sensing circuit of a semiconductor device includes a code signal generator, a comparator, a reference clock generator and a final temperature code signal generator. The code signal generator is configured to output a first count signal having an increase rate that varies according to a change in temperature. The comparator is configured to receive the first count signal and a control signal, compare the first count signal with the control signal and output a comparison signal. The reference clock generator is configured to generate a reference clock having a uniform period regardless of the change in temperature during an activation period of the comparison signal. The final temperature code signal generator is configured to count pulses of the reference clock, generate a second count signal, modify the second count signal using an offset value, and output the modified second count signal as a final temperature code signal.