Memory Write Driver Power Gating for Short-Circuit Isolation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Semiconductor devices face challenges in minimizing power consumption during standby modes to prevent unnecessary power usage, particularly in portable devices with limited battery supply, where existing power gating techniques may lead to short circuit currents and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
The semiconductor device incorporates a combination of header-only and zigzag type power gating structures, with an isolation control circuit that fixes input terminals to a predetermined voltage level during power-down modes, using power gating elements and drivers to decouple supply voltages and prevent short circuits, while enabling power gating circuits during operation periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If power gating structures are used to minimize standby power consumption, then power efficiency is improved, but short circuit currents may occur during mode transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a third circuit with a second power gating structure as an intermediary between the first circuit and the second circuit. This intermediate circuit acts as a buffer that prevents direct interaction between the first and second circuits during mode transitions, thereby eliminating short circuit currents while maintaining power gating benefits for standby power reduction
Solution Approach 2:
The isolation control circuit performs preliminary action by fixing the input terminal of the second circuit to a predetermined voltage level before the power gating structures are activated or deactivated. This preliminary voltage level setting ensures that when power gating transitions occur, no short circuit current can flow, thus preventing reliability issues before they arise
2Reliability
If isolation circuits are added to prevent short circuit currents, then reliability is improved, but device area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the isolation function with the existing power gating structures by integrating the third circuit into the data path between first and second circuits. Rather than adding separate isolation circuits, the design combines multiple functions (data transmission and isolation) into a unified structure, minimizing area overhead while achieving reliable short circuit prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The third circuit serves multiple functions: it acts as a data transmission path during normal operation and simultaneously provides isolation during mode transitions. The power gating structures within the third circuit perform both power management and isolation duties, reducing the need for dedicated isolation components and thereby minimizing area consumption
3Use of energy by moving object
If power gating structures are used to reduce leakage currents, then power efficiency is improved, but logic state maintenance becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The third circuit with its power gating structure serves as an intermediary that maintains logic states during power gating operations. By controlling the power gating elements in the third circuit, the patent ensures that data signals are properly transmitted or isolated, preventing logic state corruption while achieving leakage current reduction through power gating
Solution Approach 2:
The isolation control circuit performs preliminary action by fixing the input terminal voltage level before power gating transitions occur. This preliminary voltage stabilization ensures that when power gating structures are activated to reduce leakage, the logic states remain stable and predictable, preventing any potential data corruption during the transition
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor device includes a first circuit having a first power gating structure, a second circuit, and a third circuit having a second power gating structure that is different from the first power gating structure, and suitable for isolating the second circuit from the first circuit during a particular period.