Word Line Boost Circuit Selective Voltage Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional word line boost circuits consume high power due to continuous boost operations even when the row address remains unchanged, leading to unnecessary power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A word line boost circuit that selectively performs boost operations based on detection pulses for row and column address signals, disabling the boost clock signal when the delay time between these pulses is less than a predetermined threshold, thereby reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the word line boost circuit continuously performs boost operations according to boost pulses, then the selection voltage can be continuously generated, but the power consumption becomes very high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by transforming continuous boost operations into discrete, event-driven boost operations. The boost circuit now operates periodically based on address signal changes rather than continuously, reducing power consumption while maintaining functional reliability through selective activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service through automatic detection of address signal changes. The address transfer detector autonomously identifies when a boost operation is needed based on row or column address variations, eliminating the need for continuous external control signals and enabling the circuit to self-regulate its operation state.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the word line boost circuit continuously generates enable pulses to switch the output signal, then the boost operation can be maintained, but the power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The enable pulse generation is transformed from continuous to periodic/event-driven operation. Enable pulses are now generated only when address signal changes are detected, creating a periodic action pattern that maintains functionality while significantly reducing the duration of active operation and associated power consumption.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the boost operation unit always uses boost voltage to generate selection voltage, then the voltage switching can be maintained, but unnecessary power consumption occurs when row address remains unchanged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the voltage switching capability adaptive rather than static. The boost operation unit dynamically adjusts its behavior based on real-time detection of row and column address changes, selectively activating voltage switching only when necessary, thereby maintaining versatility while eliminating unnecessary power consumption during stable states.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through the address transfer detector that continuously monitors row and column address signals. This feedback mechanism provides real-time information about address changes to the boost operation unit, enabling intelligent decision-making about when to activate voltage switching, thus optimizing the balance between adaptability and power consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A word line boost circuit including a first address transfer detector, a second address transfer detector and a boost operation unit is provided. The first address transfer detector generates a first detection pulse in response to variation of a row address signal. The second address transfer detector generates a second detection pulse in response to variation of a column address signal. Moreover, the boost operation unit generates a selection voltage by using a boost voltage according to the first detection pulse, and determines whether or not to use the boost voltage to generate the selection voltage according to a delay time between the first detection pulse and the second detection pulse.