Voltage Pumping Device With Dynamic Pulse Period Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional voltage pumping devices for DRAMs experience degraded high voltage driving capability and faulty operations due to supply voltage drops, especially when a low supply voltage is applied or during short auto-refresh periods, leading to reduced internal voltage levels and extended pulse periods.
Innovation Solution
A voltage pumping device with a low voltage level detector and controller that generates shorter pulse signals to activate a high voltage pump, ensuring a constant high voltage level is maintained by adjusting the oscillator's operation based on supply voltage levels, using a configuration with a high voltage level detector and feedback mechanism to optimize the high voltage pumping capability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional voltage pumping device operates with a fixed pulse period, then the device structure is simple, but the high voltage driving capability degrades when supply voltage drops
Solution Approach 1:
The oscillator dynamically adjusts the pulse period based on supply voltage levels. When supply voltage drops below a threshold, the controller switches from a first pulse signal with period T1 to a second pulse signal with period T2 (where T2 < T1), enabling the system to adapt to varying voltage conditions and maintain reliable high voltage generation
Solution Approach 2:
A controller acts as an intermediary between the supply voltage monitoring system and the oscillator. The controller receives voltage level information and selectively enables different pulse signal generation paths, mediating the response to voltage variations without requiring direct modification of the oscillator structure
2Adaptability or versatility
If the pulse period is extended to handle low supply voltage, then the device can operate under broader voltage conditions, but the high voltage pumping capability degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic pulse period adjustment where the oscillator can operate in two distinct modes: a normal mode with longer period T1 for standard voltage conditions, and a boosted mode with shorter period T2 when supply voltage drops. This dynamic switching ensures adaptability to different voltage conditions while maintaining high voltage pumping capability when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the temporal parameter (pulse period) of the oscillator output based on supply voltage conditions. By switching between two discrete period values (T1 and T2), the system optimizes the balance between adaptability to voltage variations and maintenance of high voltage generation effectiveness
3Device complexity
If a single pulse signal is used by the oscillator, then the device complexity is reduced, but the high voltage supply capability under low voltage conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The oscillator is segmented into multiple functional paths: a first pulse signal generation path and a second pulse signal generation path. The controller selectively activates one path based on supply voltage levels, allowing the system to use simpler structures under normal conditions while accessing enhanced capability when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The oscillator is designed with multi-functionality to generate different pulse signals (first pulse signal with period T1, second pulse signal with period T2) from a single device structure. This universal capability allows one oscillator to serve multiple operational requirements across different voltage conditions
Data Source
AI summary
A voltage pumping device for generating a high voltage that is a boosted voltage is disclosed. The voltage pumping device includes an oscillator for generating a first pulse signal or second pulse signal in response to a control signal, and a high voltage pump for pumping a high voltage of a constant level in response to the first pulse signal or second pulse signal.