Method and apparatus for extending the lifetime of a semiconductor chip
US7821330B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 11, 2008 |
| Grant date | Oct 26, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 24, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05F1/56
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A circuit and a method for extending the lifetime of a semiconductor chip. The circuit including a voltage reference generator, a voltage switch, a threshold voltage regulator device and a threshold voltage monitor device tunes an automatic internal power supply. The voltage reference generator provides one or more reference voltage levels that are transmitted to the voltage switch. The threshold voltage monitor device monitors the threshold voltage of the device, triggering the voltage switch to select a reference level for use as a voltage reference for the regulator when the threshold voltage of the monitored device exceeds a predetermined value. The regulator then converts the external power supply to an internal supply and holds it at the predetermined reference level.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.