Voltage Regulator Switching for Memory Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Concurrent access operations in memory devices introduce electrical noise, which can lead to inaccurate determination of data states in memory cells due to the narrowing margins between adjacent voltage threshold ranges, especially during noise-sensitive periods.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a voltage generation and regulation circuitry that selectively connects a voltage regulator to access lines of multiple memory planes, ensuring a stable input voltage is maintained by continuously connecting to a voltage generation system not experiencing a voltage drop, and using logic and control circuitry to manage the connection of voltage generation systems and regulators to mitigate noise injection during asynchronous access operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If multiple voltage generation systems are connected to a single voltage regulator, then the regulator can maintain stable output voltage by switching between systems, but the circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple voltage generation systems (first voltage generation system and second voltage generation system) are merged and connected to a single shared voltage regulator. This allows the regulator to receive input from multiple sources and switch between them, maintaining stable output voltage while avoiding the need for separate regulators for each system.
Solution Approach 2:
The single voltage regulator is designed to serve multiple functions by accepting input from different voltage generation systems and providing regulated output to various access lines. This multi-functional approach reduces the total number of components needed while maintaining voltage stability across different operating conditions.
2Stability of the object's composition
If voltage regulator is continuously connected to voltage generation system, then stable voltage is maintained, but noise is injected during voltage transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the voltage regulator and voltage generation systems is made dynamic rather than static. The regulator can switch between the first and second voltage generation systems based on their current voltage levels and readiness, allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions while minimizing noise injection during transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares voltage generation systems in advance by pre-charging access lines and pre-positioning the regulator to connect to the appropriate voltage generation system before actual voltage transitions are needed. This preliminary preparation reduces the impact of noise during critical sensing operations.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If separate voltage regulators are used for each memory plane, then noise isolation is improved, but the overall device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using separate voltage regulators for each memory plane, the invention merges multiple voltage generation systems into a single shared regulator. This consolidation reduces the total device area while maintaining noise isolation through selective switching between voltage generation systems based on which planes are actively being accessed.
Data Source
AI summary
Memories having an array of memory cells might include a plurality of voltage generation systems each having a respective output selectively connected to a respective access line, and a voltage regulator having an input connected to the output of each of the voltage generation systems, and having an output selectively connected to the respective access line for each of the voltage generation systems.