Voltage Holding Circuit Refresh Control for Accurate Low-Power Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional voltage holding circuits face challenges in achieving high voltage accuracy while minimizing power consumption, leading to increased test time and reduced testability and reliability, and can cause low-dropout regulators to burn out due to excessive voltage requirements.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a voltage holding device with two voltage holding circuits and a voltage difference detector, using switch control signals to manage capacitor charging and discharging based on detected voltage differences, allowing for efficient power consumption and high voltage accuracy, and incorporating input-end voltage selection devices to manage voltage inputs during testing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the refresh time is shortened to maintain high voltage accuracy, then voltage accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic refresh action by controlling switches to periodically charge capacitors based on voltage difference detection. The system performs refresh operations at specific intervals rather than continuously, reducing unnecessary power consumption while maintaining voltage accuracy through timed periodic updates of the held voltage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by using voltage difference detection to dynamically control the refresh timing. Instead of fixed refresh intervals, the system adjusts refresh operations based on actual voltage differences detected, optimizing the balance between voltage accuracy maintenance and power consumption reduction.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the refresh time is lengthened to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but testability and reliability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback through voltage difference detection to monitor the actual voltage holding status. This feedback mechanism allows the system to verify voltage accuracy and adjust refresh operations accordingly, ensuring reliability and testability even with longer refresh intervals by continuously monitoring and responding to voltage deviations.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage holding circuit performs self-verification through the voltage difference detector that automatically monitors its own operation. The system can detect and report its own voltage holding accuracy, enabling self-testing and self-validation without external intervention, thus maintaining reliability with reduced refresh frequency.
3Speed
If high voltage is applied to charge capacitors quickly, then test speed is improved, but low-dropout regulators may burn out
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces voltage difference detection as an intermediary mechanism between the voltage source and capacitors. This intermediary monitors voltage levels and controls charging operations, enabling fast charging when voltage differences are large while preventing excessive voltage application that could damage regulators, thus mediating between speed and safety requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Whether a voltage difference reaches a hysteresis voltage of a hysteresis comparator is used to efficiently update a charge of a capacitor and achieve lower power consumption. On the other hand, since the advanced voltage holding circuit is designed to consume lower power, the refresh time must be designed longer, which makes it impossible to do a large number of yield tests. Thus, the test time in conjunction with the relevant application circuit can be greatly shortened, and the testability and reliability of a voltage holding device can be increased.