Timing Control Circuit for Temperature-Compensated Strobe Signal Latching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Semiconductor devices, such as DRAM, require frequent calibration operations to maintain accurate timing between data and strobe signals due to temperature changes, leading to performance overhead and increased calibration needs.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor device with a timing control circuit that generates an internal strobe signal based on both the control signal and temperature, using a variable delay circuit to adjust the strobe signal delay according to temperature changes, thereby maintaining calibrated conditions without the need for frequent recalibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If training operation is performed frequently to maintain timing accuracy, then timing matching accuracy is improved, but system performance and productivity deteriorate due to overhead and busy periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs training operation in advance at startup to establish initial timing alignment between strobe and data signals. This preliminary calibration allows the system to operate without frequent re-calibration, reducing performance overhead while maintaining timing accuracy through the temperature compensation mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the delay parameter of the strobe signal based on detected temperature variations. By adjusting the delay time according to temperature compensation values, the system maintains timing alignment without requiring frequent training operations, thus resolving the contradiction between accuracy and productivity
2Measurement precision
If training operation is performed to calibrate timing, then timing alignment accuracy is improved, but calibration time and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs comprehensive training operation once at startup to establish initial timing alignment. This preliminary action covers the full calibration process including delay adjustment and timing synchronization, eliminating the need for repeated time-consuming calibration operations during normal operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where temperature is continuously detected and used to adjust the strobe signal delay. This closed-loop feedback allows the system to automatically compensate for temperature-induced timing drift without requiring manual or frequent calibration operations
3Stability of the object's composition
If training operation is performed frequently to compensate for temperature changes, then timing stability is improved, but the number of calibration operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes physical parameters (delay time of strobe signal) based on temperature detection. By continuously monitoring temperature and adjusting the delay parameter accordingly, the system maintains timing stability through a single calibration operation rather than multiple recalibrations
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-compensation for temperature-induced timing drift by using its own temperature detection capability to automatically adjust the strobe signal delay. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external or frequent calibration operations, reducing system complexity while maintaining stability
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a device including a timing control circuit that receives a strobe signal supplied from outside to generate an internal strobe signal that is used as a timing signal to latch a data signal. An operation state of the timing control circuit is changed according to temperature change so as to keep an output timing of the internal strobe signal with respect to an input timing of the strobe signal.