Variable Gain Amplifier Sink Control for Lower Memory Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Semiconductor memory devices face high power consumption due to the use of variable gain amplifiers (VGAs) that consume large amounts of power, leading to increased system power requirements as the number of memory devices increases.
Innovation Solution
Implementing control signals to selectively enable and disable sink transistors in VGAs, with staggered enable and disable times to reduce power consumption, and using a delay control circuit to manage these signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If variable gain amplifiers are used to amplify data signals before writing to memory cells, then data signal amplification is achieved, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The VGA's sink transistors are divided into multiple groups, with each group controllable by independent control signals. This segmentation allows selective activation of only the necessary transistor groups based on signal requirements, rather than activating all transistors simultaneously, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining required amplification levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of VGA transistor groups through staggered enable and disable timing. Control signals are applied at different times to different transistor groups, allowing the VGA to adapt its power consumption dynamically based on the actual amplification needs during different time periods, rather than operating at constant high power.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple memory devices are included in a system, then system capacity increases, but total system power increases due to multiple VGAs
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the VGA into multiple independently controllable transistor groups, the patent enables selective activation of only the necessary amplification capacity in each memory device. This reduces the power consumption of each individual VGA, thereby reducing the cumulative power consumption across multiple memory devices in the system.
3Power
If all sink transistors in a VGA are enabled simultaneously, then amplification capability is maximized, but power consumption and settling time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sink transistors are segmented into multiple groups that can be activated sequentially rather than all at once. This allows the VGA to achieve the required amplification capability by activating only the necessary number of transistor groups, reducing power consumption while maintaining sufficient amplification strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by enabling weaker sink transistors first, and then enabling stronger sink transistors later if additional amplification is needed. This staged approach allows the system to achieve the minimum necessary amplification with lower power consumption, only increasing power usage if the signal requires it.
Data Source
AI summary
A variable gain amplifier (VGA) includes a sink circuit. One or more control signals are provided to the sink circuit to selectively enable sink transistors in the sink circuit. The control signals can be staggered in time to reduce power consumption of the VGA.