Two-Stage Amplifier Voltage Generator for Fast Load Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional internal voltage generators in semiconductor integrated circuits face challenges in maintaining a constant internal source voltage under varying load currents, especially in modern SoC designs where high precision and miniaturization are required, and they are inadequate in responding quickly to changes in load current while consuming low power.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a semiconductor integrated circuit device with internal voltage generators that include a reference voltage generating circuit, a preamplifier circuit, a clamp circuit, a main amplifier circuit, and a driver circuit, which amplify errors between reference and internal source voltages in two stages to supply sufficient drive current accurately and maintain stability, even under low voltage conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single-stage amplifier is used in the voltage generator, then the circuit complexity is reduced, but the response speed to load current variations becomes slow and the drive current is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The amplifier is divided into two separate stages: a preamplifier stage and a main amplifier stage. The preamplifier amplifies the error signal first, and then the main amplifier provides additional amplification and drive current. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized for its specific function, achieving fast response speed while maintaining manageable circuit complexity.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the internal source voltage is reduced for low power consumption, then the power consumption decreases, but the precision of voltage generation deteriorates due to threshold voltage ratios
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage generator employs a feedback mechanism where the output voltage is continuously monitored and compared with a reference voltage. The error amplifier detects any deviation and adjusts the output to maintain precision. This feedback control allows the system to achieve high voltage generation precision even at reduced voltage levels, enabling low power consumption without sacrificing accuracy.
3Volume of moving object
If the operating voltage is reduced for miniaturization, then the device size decreases, but the drive current capability becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage generator uses dynamic control through the error amplifier and two-stage amplification system. When high drive current is needed, the amplifier stages can be driven harder to provide the necessary current bursts. When low current is sufficient, the system operates at lower power levels. This dynamic operation allows the device to maintain small size while having the capability to supply high drive current when required.
Data Source
AI summary
The semiconductor integrated circuit device includes load circuits and internal voltage generators for generating internal source voltages for driving the load circuits. Each of the internal voltage generators includes a reference voltage generating circuit for generating reference voltages, and regulator circuits for generating the internal source voltages with reference to the reference voltages. The regulator circuit is formed over an SOI substrate and includes a preamplifier circuit for detecting and amplifying a difference between each of the internal source voltages and each of the reference voltages, a main amplifier circuit for amplifying the output of the preamplifier circuit and generating a control signal, and a driver circuit for generating the internal source voltage in response to the control signal. An input stage of the main amplifier circuit is configured by MOS transistors coupling the gates and bodies of the MOS transistors.