Word Line Driver Circuit Local Reset Signal Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional word line driver circuits in memory devices face inefficiencies in power consumption and die area usage due to increased loading and long wire layouts, especially in 90 nano-meter semiconductor processes, as they require strong driving capabilities for numerous sectors, leading to poor power and die area efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a word line driver circuit with a local reset signal generator module for each sector, coupled to multiple word line clusters, which generates reset signals based on bank and sector select signals, reducing the need for long wire connections and enhancing power efficiency by distributing reset signal generation locally.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the driving capability of the inversed global line signal GWLb is increased to drive NMOS transistors of all sectors, then the reliability of sector control is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the memory device into multiple sectors, each with its own reset signal generator module. This segmentation allows each sector to generate and use reset signals independently, eliminating the need for a single global reset signal to drive all sectors. Consequently, the driving capability requirement for any single reset signal is reduced, which directly lowers power consumption while maintaining reliable sector control through localized signal generation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If long wires are laid to provide the inversed global line signal GWLb to all sectors, then the adaptability of signal distribution is improved, but the die area efficiency deteriorates in 90 nano-meter process
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the reset signal generation function into separate modules within each sector, the patent eliminates the need for long wire routes across the die to distribute a single global reset signal. Each sector's local reset signal generator can be positioned close to the sector's NMOS transistors, significantly reducing the wire length required and improving die area efficiency in advanced processes like 90 nano-meter.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces local reset signal generator modules as intermediary components within each sector. These intermediaries generate reset signals locally rather than relying on a centralized global signal distributed through long wires. This intermediary approach reduces wire length requirements while maintaining the ability to control NMOS transistors in each sector, thus improving die area efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the loading for the inversed global line signal GWLb is increased to drive all sectors, then the versatility of signal control is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal control function by providing separate reset signal generators for each sector. This allows each sector to be controlled independently with its own reset signal, reducing the loading requirement on any single signal line. Consequently, the driving capability and power consumption for each reset signal are reduced, while the overall system maintains versatile control capability through the combined action of multiple independent sector controllers.
Data Source
AI summary
A sector of a word line driver circuit is provided, comprising a local reset signal generator module and m word line clusters. The m word line clusters are coupled to the local reset signal generator module. The local reset signal generator module is used to generate j reset signals. The x-th reset signal is determined according to an x-th pre-decoding signal, a bank selectable signal and a sector selectable signal, wherein j is a nature number, and x is an integer from 1 to j. Each of the m word line clusters comprises j row drivers. The x-th row driver of the y-th word line cluster determines a [x+j*(y−1)]-th word line signal according to the x-th reset signal, the x-th pre-decoding signal, the sector selectable signal, and a y-th cluster select signal, wherein m is a nature number, and y is an integer from 1 to m.