Internal power supply circuit for use in a semiconductor device
US6111457A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 18, 1998 |
| Grant date | Aug 29, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 18, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05F1/465
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An internal power supply circuit for use in a semiconductor device includes a clamp circuit for clamping an internal voltage to a constant level. The clamped internal voltage is distributed to internal circuits of the semiconductor device through an output node. When the internal voltage rises momentarily due to noise in the internal power supply circuit due to open-circuit phenomenon, the rising internal voltage is discharged through the clamp circuit, thereby maintaining the internal voltage at a constant value. The clamp circuit includes a first transistor for discharging the output node, and a diode-connected transistor for generating a charge voltage at the gate of the first transistor. The threshold voltage of the diode-connected transistor is preferably equal to or lower than the threshold voltage of the first transistor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.