Word-Line Voltage Regulating Circuit for Single Power Supply Memory
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing word-line voltage regulating circuits for single power supply memory devices suffer from high power consumption and inability to scale down proportionally with integrated circuits due to reliance on MOS transistor threshold voltages, leading to inefficient voltage usage and potential damage during mode transitions.
Innovation Solution
A word-line voltage regulating circuit that includes a charge pump, controller, comparator, voltage clamper, and voltage supply circuit, which dynamically adjusts output voltages based on mode (standby or active) to reduce power consumption and decouple output voltage from MOS transistor threshold voltages, using a voltage divider and operational amplifier to manage gate voltages and ensure stable output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the charge pump maintains output voltage PWL in the range of 4V to 6V for both standby and active modes, then the voltage regulation is simplified, but power consumption increases due to waste of half the voltage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the charge pump output voltage adaptive rather than fixed. The charge pump dynamically adjusts its output voltage based on the operational mode: maintaining 4V-6V in standby mode for simplified regulation, and switching to 2.5V in active mode to reduce power consumption. This dynamic voltage adjustment resolves the contradiction between simplified regulation and power efficiency.
2Ease of manufacture
If the output voltage VD25 depends on MOS transistor threshold voltage Vth, then the circuit design is simplified, but the circuit cannot meet proportional scale-down requirements as integrated circuits evolve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from a threshold-voltage-dependent voltage generation method to a reference-voltage-based method. Instead of relying on the MOS transistor threshold voltage Vth (which does not scale proportionally), the system uses a stable reference voltage Vref combined with a voltage divider network. This allows the output voltage to be precisely controlled and scaled according to integration requirements while maintaining circuit simplicity through standardized reference voltage sources.
3Device complexity
If a single power supply is used instead of two power supplies, then the configuration is simplified, but voltage adjustment capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing mode-dependent voltage regulation. In standby mode, the single power supply operates with simplified regulation (4V-6V output). In active mode, the system dynamically switches to precise 2.5V regulation using the comparator and voltage divider network. This dynamic adaptation allows a single power supply to provide both simplified operation and precise voltage adjustment capabilities that would traditionally require two separate power supplies.
Data Source
AI summary
A word-line voltage regulating circuit and a single power supply memory are disclosed. The word-line voltage regulating circuit includes: a charge pump for raising an input voltage to a desired value and outputting the raised input voltage as an output voltage; a controller for inputting a refresh signal to the charge pump according to the output voltage of the charge pump; and a comparator for inputting a feedback signal to the charge pump according to a comparison result between the output voltage of the charge pump and a reference voltage. The charge pump works under control of the refresh signal when the memory is in an active mode, and works under control of the feedback signal when the memory is in a standby mode. The word-line voltage regulating circuit can effectively reduce the power consumption and can meet the requirement for proportional scale-down of integrated circuits.