Voltage Boosting Circuit Linear Reference Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Maintaining a constant boosting rate in voltage boosting circuits for semiconductor integrated circuits is challenging due to varying load capacitance, which affects the accuracy of voltage control, particularly in nonvolatile semiconductor memory circuits with multiple planes, leading to potential delays and overshoots that can stress elements and cause failures.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor integrated circuit design that includes a reference voltage generation circuit with a variable current source and capacitor, which supplies a constant current to control the reference voltage linearly, ensuring the change rate of the output voltage follows the reference voltage, thereby maintaining a constant boosting rate regardless of load capacitance changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a voltage boosting circuit is used to generate higher voltage for memory operations, then the productivity and speed of memory operations are improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to difficulty in maintaining constant boosting rate under varying load capacitance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the output voltage of the voltage boosting circuit is fed back to the control circuit. The control circuit adjusts the boosting rate based on the actual output voltage and load capacitance conditions, ensuring the voltage reaches the target value accurately without overshoot or delay, thus maintaining reliability while achieving high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the voltage boosting circuit dynamic by allowing the boosting rate to be adjusted in real-time based on load capacitance changes. The control circuit dynamically modifies the charging current to the capacitor in response to varying operational conditions, enabling the circuit to adapt to different memory operation scenarios and maintain optimal performance
2Adaptability or versatility
If the load capacitance is increased to support more memory planes, then the adaptability of the memory circuit is improved, but the manufacturing precision of voltage control deteriorates due to difficulty in maintaining constant boosting rate
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit dynamically adjusts the voltage boosting parameters based on the detected load capacitance value. When more memory planes are selected, the load capacitance increases, and the control circuit automatically modifies the charging current and boosting rate to maintain precise voltage control, thereby supporting high adaptability without sacrificing manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the voltage boosting circuit based on load capacitance conditions. The control circuit modifies the capacitor charging current, reference voltage levels, and boosting rate parameters in response to varying load capacitance, enabling precise voltage control across different plane selection configurations
3Speed
If the voltage boosting rate is increased to reduce delay, then the speed of voltage establishment is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to potential overshoot and element stress
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback mechanism continuously monitors the output voltage and compares it with the target value. When the voltage approaches the target, the feedback signal reduces the charging current to prevent overshoot, ensuring reliable voltage establishment without element stress while maintaining high speed
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit performs preliminary action by pre-charging the capacitor at a controlled rate and then transitioning to a second charging phase with adjusted parameters. This staged approach ensures the voltage reaches the target value without overshoot, preventing element stress while maintaining fast voltage establishment
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 allows for precise control of the voltage boosting rate, preventing delays and overshoots, enhancing the reliability of semiconductor integrated circuits by maintaining a consistent output voltage across varying operation modes and load capacitances.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitor Cp which are connected in series and is configured to change the reference voltage linearly
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a reference voltage generation circuit configured to generate a reference voltage, and a voltage changing circuit configured to generate a second voltage from a first voltage based on a difference between the second voltage and the reference voltage and apply the second voltage to a load capacitance. The reference voltage generation circuit includes a variable current source and a capacitor which are connected in series and is configured to change the reference voltage linearly.