Voltage Booster Pump Segmentation for Standby Power Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dynamic random access memory (DRAM) faces challenges with high standby current and power consumption due to the inefficiency of voltage boosters, particularly as supply voltage decreases, leading to reduced pump efficiency and increased power usage even in standby states.

Innovation Solution

A memory structure that includes a first and second voltage booster, a control circuit, and a word line driving circuit, where some voltage pumps are turned off when the data storage unit enters a standby state to reduce standby current and power consumption, while maintaining efficient voltage boosting through a staged voltage pumping system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If the number of voltage pumps is increased to boost supply voltage VDD to word line voltage VPP, then voltage boosting capability is improved, but pump efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage boosting capabilityVSAvoidpump efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the voltage pump operation state adjustable based on memory operational status. During standby state, the patent turns off unnecessary voltage pumps to reduce power consumption, while during active state, the required number of pumps are activated to achieve proper voltage boosting. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between voltage boosting capability and pump efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If voltage pumps remain operational during standby state, then voltage boosting capability is maintained, but standby current and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage boosting capabilityVSAvoidstandby power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the voltage pump operation from continuous operation by selectively turning off pumps during standby state. The control circuit identifies which voltage pumps are necessary for maintaining voltage boosting capability during standby and turns off the rest, thereby reducing standby power consumption while preserving essential voltage boosting functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameter of voltage pumps from continuous operation to selective operation based on memory state. By monitoring the operational status of the memory, the control circuit adjusts the power consumption parameter of voltage pumps, reducing it during standby state while maintaining adequate voltage boosting capability when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of energy

If supply voltage VDD is lowered to reduce power consumption, then power efficiency is improved, but voltage boosting requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidvoltage boosting requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the voltage boosting function into multiple independent voltage pumps that can be selectively activated. Instead of requiring all voltage pumps to operate continuously, the system divides the voltage boosting task and activates only the necessary number of pumps based on the current voltage requirement, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining the ability to provide adequate voltage boosting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 approach effectively reduces standby current and power consumption while maintaining pump efficiency, even with the same leak currents, by selectively turning off voltage pumps during standby states, thereby improving overall performance and reducing unnecessary power usage.

Implementation Method 1

The first pump circuit transfers electronic charges from a supply voltage to a first node voltage. The second pump circuit transfers electronic charges from the first node voltage to a second node voltage. The third pump circuit transfers electronic charges from the second node voltage to an output voltage.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitive charge transfer: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS7742346B2Voltage booster and memory structure using the same

Publication Date: 2010.06.22 NAN YA TECH

AI summary

A voltage booster and a memory structure using the same are provided. When a data storage unit in the memory structure is in normal operation, all voltage pumps in the voltage booster are turned on for boosting a supply voltage. However, when the data storage unit is in standby state, in the voltage booster, some voltage pumps are turned on while other voltage pumps are turned off, for boosting the supply voltage. Accordingly, the standby current and power consumption are reduced and the pump efficiency is improved.