Voltage Regulator Resistor Segmentation for Precision Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing voltage regulators in semiconductor memory apparatuses face challenges in stably providing a desired voltage level due to the complexity and area increase required for fine adjustments in resistor ratios, necessitating a more efficient method to adjust output voltage levels.
Innovation Solution
A voltage regulator design incorporating a voltage generation unit, a first resistor section with sub-resistors, and a second resistor section with unit and step resistors, where the connections of these resistors are controlled by selection signals to adjust the resistance ratio, allowing for precise adjustment of output voltage levels using a smaller number of elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional resistor ratio adjustment methods are used to achieve fine voltage adjustment, then voltage adjustment precision is improved, but device complexity and area increase
Solution Approach 1:
The resistor sections are divided into multiple sub-resistors (first sub-resistor, second sub-resistor, third sub-resistor, fourth sub-resistor) that can be independently connected or disconnected through transistors. This segmentation allows fine adjustment of resistance ratios without requiring a large number of discrete resistors, thereby achieving precise voltage adjustment while controlling device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The resistor network is made dynamic through the use of transistors (first transistor, second transistor, third transistor, fourth transistor) that can selectively connect or disconnect sub-resistors based on control signals. This dynamic configuration enables continuous adjustment of resistance ratios without physically changing the resistor structure, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining adjustment precision
2Measurement precision
If more resistors are added to achieve fine voltage adjustment, then voltage adjustment precision is improved, but area increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple resistance adjustment functions are merged into a single integrated resistor network structure. The four sub-resistors are arranged in a configuration where they share common nodes and can be controlled by transistors to achieve multiple resistance states without requiring separate resistor sets for each adjustment level, thereby reducing the overall area while maintaining fine adjustment precision
Solution Approach 2:
Each sub-resistor and transistor combination serves multiple functions: the same sub-resistor can be included or excluded from different circuit paths depending on the control signals. This multi-functionality allows a compact set of resistors to provide multiple resistance values and adjustment levels, achieving fine voltage precision without increasing area
3Adaptability or versatility
If resistor ratio adjustment range is expanded to provide wider voltage output, then voltage regulation flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resistor network employs an asymmetric configuration where the four sub-resistors have different resistance values and are positioned asymmetrically in the circuit. This asymmetric arrangement, combined with selective transistor control, enables a wide voltage adjustment range while using a manageable number of control signals, avoiding the complexity that would arise from symmetric or uniformly structured resistor networks
Data Source
AI summary
A voltage regulator includes a voltage generation unit, a first resistor section, and a second resistor section. The voltage generation unit compares a reference voltage level with a voltage level of a first node and generates an output voltage. The first resistor section includes a first sub-resistor and a second sub-resistor between the first node and a ground voltage node, and controls a connection between the first sub-resistor and the second sub-resistor to change a resistance value of the resistors. The second resistor section includes a reference resistor, a plurality of unit resistors, and a plurality of step resistors, and controls connections of the unit resistors and the step resistors to change a resistance value of the resistors.