Bitcell power tracking scheme for transient voltage collapse write assist
AssigneeSynopsys, Inc.
InventorChe-Wei Wu
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An example is a method. A pseudo array supply voltage (VDDAI) of a bitcell power tracking column for a memory array is determined by a write assist circuit coupled to the memory array. An actual VDDAI provided to a bitcell in the memory array during a write operation, based on the pseudo VDDAI of the bitcell power tracking column, is tracked by the write assist circuit. A collapse level of the actual VDDAI to the bitcell is controlled during the write operation, based on the tracking.
Claims20
A method comprising:
- determining, by a write assist circuit coupled to a memory array, a pseudo array supply voltage (VDDAI) of a bitcell power tracking column for the memory array;
- tracking, by the write assist circuit, an actual VDDAI provided to a bitcell in the memory array during a write operation, based on the pseudo VDDAI of the bitcell power tracking column;
- and
- controlling a collapse level of the actual VDDAI to the bitcell during the write operation, based on the tracking.
A memory circuit system comprising:
- a memory array having a plurality of bitcells arranged in rows and columns, wherein at least one of the columns is a bitcell power tracking column;
- and
- a write assist circuit to perform operations to:
- determine a pseudo array supply voltage (VDDAI) of the bitcell power tracking column in the memory array;
- track an actual VDDAI provided to a bitcell in the memory array during a write operation, based on the pseudo VDDAI of the bitcell power tracking column;
- and
- control a collapse level of the actual VDDAI to the bitcell during the write operation, based on the tracking.
A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising stored instructions, which when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:
- determine a pseudo array supply voltage (VDDAI) of a bitcell power tracking column for a memory array;
- track an actual VDDAI provided to a bitcell in the memory array during a write operation, based on the pseudo VDDAI of the bitcell power tracking column;
- and
- control a collapse level of the actual VDDAI to the bitcell during the write operation, based on the tracking.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.