Digital calibration circuits, devices and systems including same, and methods of operation

• US 7,459,930 B2
• Filed: 11/14/2006
• Issued: 12/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Mei, Shizhong
• Primary Examiner(s): Tan; Vibol
• Assistant Examiner(s): Crawford; Jason
• Application Number:
  US11/599,889
• Publication Number:
  US 20080112246A1
• Time in Patent Office: 749 Days
• Field of Search: 326/30, 326/87, 327108-112
• US Class Current: 326/30
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 11/4093 Input/output [I/O] data interface arrangements, e.g. data buffers
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 2207/2254 Calibration
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 29/02 Detection or location of defective auxiliary circuits, e.g. defective refresh counters
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 29/022 in I/O circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 29/028 with adaption or trimming of parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 29/50008 of impedance
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 7/1051 Data output circuits, e.g. read-out amplifiers, data output buffers, data output registers, data output level conversion circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 7/1069 I/O lines read out arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 19/0005 Modifications of input or output impedance

Abstract

A calibration circuit for matching the output impedance of a driver by calibrating adjustments to the driver is described. The calibration circuit includes a driver circuit with a plurality of calibration transistors configured to receive a plurality of adjustment signals. The calibration circuit also includes a comparator circuit, and a binary searcher. The driver provides a signal corresponding to an output impedance to the comparator circuit. The output impedance signal is compared to a target impedance, and the comparator circuit then provides logic signals to the binary searcher representing whether the output impedance is greater than the target impedance. The binary searcher then selects a type of step size and count direction, in response to the logic signals, to count the number of steps for adjusting the calibration transistors of the driver.

Claims

1. A calibration circuit comprising:

a driver circuit having a plurality of calibration transistors configured to receive a plurality of adjustment signals, the driver circuit operable to generate a first output signal having a value corresponding to the plurality of adjustment signals;

a comparator circuit coupled to the driver circuit to receive the first output signal, the comparator circuit operable to generate a first control signal determined by the difference between the value of the first output signal and a predetermined value, and the comparator circuit further operable to generate a second control signal determined by whether the first output signal is greater than the predetermined value, the comparator circuit comprising;

a first comparator configured to compare the first output signal to a value above the predetermined value;

a second comparator configured to compare the first output signal to a value below the predetermined value; and

a third comparator configured to compare the first output signal to the predetermined value; and

a binary searcher coupled to receive the first and second control signals from the comparator circuit, and operable to select either a relatively larger binary step count or a relatively smaller binary step count in response to the first control signal and determine the upwards or downwards direction of the selected binary step count in response to the second control signal, the binary searcher further operable to adjust the plurality of calibration transistors in accordance with the selected binary step count and in the selected direction of the count.

2. The calibration circuit of claim 1 wherein the comparator circuit further comprises a filter configured to receive the first output signal and operable to determine whether the first output signal is greater than, less than or equal to the predetermined value, and further configured to determine the binary state of first output signal.

3. The calibration circuit of claim 2 further comprising a control circuit coupled to the comparator circuit and to the filter, the control circuit operable to determine the difference in magnitude of the first control signal and predetermined value, and generate a control output signal indicative of the difference in magnitude to the filter.

4. The calibration circuit of claim 1 wherein the predetermined value is V_CC/2.

5. The calibration circuit of claim 1 wherein the binary searcher is further configured to select a relatively larger step size if the value of the first output signal is greater than a predetermined value and to select a relatively smaller step size if the value of the first output signal is less than the predetermined value.

6. The calibration circuit of claim 1 wherein the driver circuit further comprises a pull-up circuit to adjust a pull-up impedance of the driver.

7. The calibration circuit of claim 1 wherein the driver circuit is further configured to replicate a pull-up circuit of an output driver and to use the replicated pull-up circuit to calibrate the output driver.

8. The calibration circuit of claim 1 wherein the driver circuit further comprises a pull-down circuit to adjust a pull-down impedance of the driver.

9. The calibration circuit of claim 1 wherein the driver circuit is further configured to replicate a pull-down circuit of an output driver and to use the replicated pull-down circuit to calibrate the output driver.

10. An output driver impedance calibration circuit comprising:

a driver having a plurality of transistors, the driver configured to receive a plurality of adjustment signals, the driver being operable to select a subset of transistors in response to the plurality of adjustment signals and to generate a signal corresponding to an adjusted output impedance based on the subset of transistors that are selected;

a comparator circuit configured to receive the signal corresponding to the adjusted output impedance and a signal corresponding to a target impedance, the comparator circuit operable to compare the received driver and target impedance signals to generate a set of logic signals from which the difference in magnitude between the adjusted output impedance and the target impedance can be determined;

a filtering circuit coupled to receive the set of logic signals from the comparator circuit, and operable to generate a first adjustment control signal indicative of whether the difference between the adjusted output impedance and the target impedance is greater than a predetermined value, and further operable to generate a second adjustment control signal indicative of whether the output impedance is greater than the target impedance; and

a binary searcher coupled to receive the first and second adjustment control signals, and operable to select either a relatively larger adjustment step size or a relatively smaller adjustment step size in response to the first adjustment control signal and operable to select a step count in the upward or downward direction in response to the second adjustment control signal, the binary searcher further operable to provide the plurality of adjustment signals to the driver in accordance with the selected adjustment step size and step count.

11. The output driver impedance calibration circuit of claim 10 wherein the filtering circuit further comprises a control circuit, the control circuit operable to provide a first filter control signal for determining the binary state of the adjusted output impedance, and a second filter control signal for comparing the adjusted output impedance, target impedance or the predetermined value.

12. The output driver impedance calibration circuit of claim 10 wherein the comparator circuit comprises a first comparator, a second comparator, and a third comparator, the first comparator configured to compare the driver impedance signal to a value above the target impedance signal, the second comparator configured to compare the driver impedance signal to a value below the target impedance signal, and the third comparator configured to compare the driver impedance signal to the target impedance signal.

13. The output driver impedance calibration circuit of claim 12 wherein the target impedance signal value is V_CC/2.

14. The output driver impedance calibration circuit of claim 10 wherein the driver circuit comprises a pull-up circuit to adjust a pull-up impedance of the driver.

15. The output driver impedance calibration circuit of claim 10 wherein the driver circuit is further configured to replicate a pull-up circuit of an output driver and to use the replicated pull-up circuit to calibrate the output driver.

16. A memory device, comprising:

an address bus;

a control bus;

a data bus;

an address decoder coupled to the address bus;

a read/write circuit coupled to the control bus;

an array of memory cells coupled to the address decoder, control circuit, and read/write circuit;

an output driver circuit for outputting data read from the array of memory cells; and

a calibration circuit for a driver comprising;

a driver circuit having a plurality of calibration transistors configured to receive a plurality of adjustment signals, the driver circuit operable to generate a first output signal having a value corresponding to the plurality of adjustment signals;

a comparator circuit coupled to the driver circuit to receive the first output signal, the comparator circuit operable to generate a first control signal determined by the difference between the value of the first output signal and a predetermined value, and the comparator circuit further operable to generate a second control signal determined by whether the first output signal is greater than the predetermined value, the comparator circuit comprising;

a first comparator configured to compare the first output signal to a value above the predetermined value;

a second comparator configured to compare the first output signal to a value below the predetermined value; and

a third comparator configured to compare the first output signal to the predetermined value; and

a binary searcher coupled to receive the first and second control signals from the comparator circuit, and operable to select either a relatively larger binary step count or a relatively smaller binary step count in response to the first control signal and determine the upwards or downwards direction of the selected binary step count in response to the second control signal, the binary searcher further operable to adjust the plurality of calibration transistors in accordance with the selected binary step count and in the selected direction of the count.

17. The memory device of claim 16 wherein the comparator circuit further comprises a filter configured to receive the first output signal and operable to determine whether the first output signal is greater than, less than or equal to the predetermined value, and further configured to determine the binary state of first output signal.

18. The memory device of claim 17 wherein the calibration circuit further comprises a control circuit coupled to the comparator circuit and to the filter, the control circuit operable to determine the difference in magnitude of the first control signal and predetermined value, and generate a control output signal indicative of the difference in magnitude to the filter.

19. The memory device of claim 16 wherein the predetermined value is V_CC/2.

20. The memory device of claim 16 wherein the driver circuit further comprises a pull-up circuit to adjust a pull-up impedance of the driver.

21. The memory device of claim 16 wherein the driver circuit is further configured to replicate a pull-up circuit of an output driver and to use the replicated pull-up circuit to calibrate the output driver.

22. A memory device, comprising:

an address bus;

a control bus;

a data bus;

an address decoder coupled to the address bus;

a read/write circuit coupled to the control bus;

an array of memory cells coupled to the address decoder, control circuit, and read/write circuit;

an output driver circuit for outputting data read from the array of memory cells; and

an output driver impedance calibration circuit comprising;

a driver having a plurality of transistors, the driver configured to receive a plurality of adjustment signals, the driver being operable to select a subset of transistors in response to the plurality of adjustment signals and generate a signal corresponding to an adjusted output impedance based on the subset of transistors that are selected;

a comparator circuit configured to receive the signal corresponding to the adjusted output impedance and a signal corresponding to a target impedance, the comparator circuit operable to compare the received driver and target impedance signals to generate a set of logic signals from which the difference in magnitude between the adjusted output impedance and the target impedance can be determined;

a filtering circuit coupled to receive the set of logic signals from the comparator circuit, and operable to generate a first adjustment control signal indicative of whether the difference between the adjusted output impedance and the target impedance is greater than a predetermined value, and further operable to generate a second adjustment control signal indicative of whether the output impedance is greater than the target impedance; and

a binary searcher coupled to receive the first and second adjustment control signals, and operable to select either a relatively larger adjustment step size or a relatively smaller adjustment step size in response to the first adjustment control signal and operable to select a step count in the upward or downward direction in response to the second adjustment control signal, the binary searcher further operable to provide the plurality of adjustment signals to the driver in accordance with the selected adjustment step size and step count.

23. The memory device of claim 22 wherein the filtering circuit further comprises a control circuit, the control circuit operable to provide a first filter control signal for determining the binary state of the adjusted output impedance, and a second filter control signal for comparing the adjusted output impedance, target impedance or the predetermined value.

24. The memory device of claim 22 wherein the comparator circuit comprises a first comparator, a second comparator, and a third comparator, the first comparator configured to compare the driver impedance signal to a value above the target impedance signal, the second comparator configured to compare the driver impedance signal to a value below the target impedance signal, and the third comparator configured to compare the driver impedance signal to the target impedance signal.

25. The memory device of claim 24 wherein the target impedance signal value is V_CC/2.

26. The memory device of claim 22 wherein the driver circuit comprises a pull-up circuit to adjust a pull-up impedance of the driver.

27. The memory device of claim 22 wherein the driver circuit is further configured to replicate a pull-up circuit of an output driver and to use the replicated pull-up circuit to calibrate the output driver.

28. The memory device of claim 22 wherein the driver circuit comprises a pull-down circuit to adjust a pull-down impedance of the driver.

29. The memory device of claim 22 wherein the driver circuit is further configured to replicate a pull-down circuit of an output driver and to use the replicated pull-down circuit to calibrate the output driver.

30. A computer system, comprising:

a data input device;

a data output device;

a processor coupled to the data input and output devices; and

a memory device coupled to the processor, the memory device comprising;

an address bus;

a control bus;

a data bus;

an address decoder coupled to the address bus;

a read/write circuit coupled to the control bus;

an array of memory cells coupled to the address decoder, control circuit, and read/write circuit;

an output driver circuit for outputting data read from the array of memory cells; and

a calibration circuit for a driver comprising;

a driver circuit having a plurality of calibration transistors configured to receive a plurality of adjustment signals, the driver circuit operable to generate a first output signal having a value corresponding to the plurality of adjustment signals;

a comparator circuit coupled to the driver circuit to receive the first output signal, the comparator circuit operable to generate a first control signal determined by the difference between the value of the first output signal and a predetermined value, and the comparator circuit further operable to generate a second control signal determined by whether the first output signal is greater than the predetermined value, the comparator circuit comprising;

a first comparator configured to compare the first output signal to a value above the predetermined value;

a second comparator configured to compare the first output signal to a value below the predetermined value; and

a third comparator configured to compare the first output signal to the predetermined value; and

a binary searcher coupled to receive the first and second control signals from the comparator circuit, and operable to select either a relatively larger binary step count or a relatively smaller binary step count in response to the first control signal and determine the upwards or downwards direction of the selected binary step count in response to the second control signal, the binary searcher further operable to adjust the plurality of calibration transistors in accordance with the selected binary step count and in the selected direction of the count.

31. The computer system of claim 30 wherein the comparator circuit further comprises a filter configured to receive the first output signal and operable to determine whether the first output signal is greater than, less than or equal to the predetermined value, and further configured to determine the binary state of first output signal.

32. The computer system of claim 31 wherein the calibration circuit further comprises a control circuit coupled to the comparator circuit and to the filter, the control circuit operable to determine the difference in magnitude of the first control signal and predetermined value, and generate a control output signal indicative of the difference in magnitude to the filter.

33. The computer system of claim 30 wherein the predetermined value is V_CC/2.

34. The computer system of claim 30 wherein the driver circuit further comprises a pull-up circuit to adjust a pull-up impedance of the driver.

35. The computer system of claim 30 wherein the driver circuit is further configured to replicate a pull-up circuit of an output driver and to use the replicated pull-up circuit to calibrate the output driver.

36. The computer system of claim 30 wherein the driver circuit further comprises a pull-down circuit to adjust a pull-down impedance of the driver.

37. The computer system of claim 30 wherein the driver circuit is further configured to replicate a pull-down circuit of an output driver and to use the replicated pull-down circuit to calibrate the output driver.

38. A computer system, comprising:

a data input device;

a data output device;

a processor coupled to the data input and output devices; and

a memory device coupled to the processor, the memory device comprising;

an address bus;

a control bus;

a data bus;

an address decoder coupled to the address bus;

a read/write circuit coupled to the control bus;

an array of memory cells coupled to the address decoder, control circuit, and read/write circuit;

an output driver circuit for outputting data read from the array of memory cells; and

an output driver impedance calibration circuit comprising;

a driver having a plurality of transistors, the driver configured to receive a plurality of adjustment signals, the driver being operable to select a subset of transistors in response to the plurality of adjustment signals and generate a signal corresponding to an adjusted output impedance based on the subset of transistors that are selected;

a comparator circuit configured to receive the signal corresponding to the adjusted output impedance and a signal corresponding to a target impedance, the comparator circuit operable to compare the received driver and target impedance signals to generate a set of logic signals from which the difference in magnitude between the adjusted output impedance and the target impedance can be determined;

a filtering circuit coupled to receive the set of logic signals from the comparator circuit, and operable to generate a first adjustment control signal indicative of whether the difference between the adjusted output impedance and the target impedance is greater than a predetermined value, and further operable to generate a second adjustment control signal indicative of whether the output impedance is greater than the target impedance; and

a binary searcher coupled to receive the first and second adjustment control signals, and operable to select either a relatively larger adjustment step size or a relatively smaller adjustment step size in response to the first adjustment control signal and operable to select a step count in the upward or downward direction in response to the second adjustment control signal, the binary searcher further operable to provide the plurality of adjustment signals to the driver in accordance with the selected adjustment step size and step count.

39. The computer system of claim 38 wherein the filtering circuit further comprises a control circuit, the control circuit operable to provide a first filter control signal for determining the binary state of the adjusted output impedance, and a second filter control signal for comparing the adjusted output impedance, target impedance or the predetermined value.

40. The computer system of claim 38 wherein the comparator circuit comprises a first comparator, a second comparator, and a third comparator, the first comparator configured to compare the driver impedance signal to a value above the target impedance signal, the second comparator configured to compare the driver impedance signal to a value below the target impedance signal, and the third comparator configured to compare the driver impedance signal to the target impedance signal.

41. The computer system of claim 40 wherein the target impedance signal value is V_CC/2.

42. The computer system of claim 38 wherein the driver circuit comprises a pull-up circuit to adjust a pull-up impedance of the driver.

43. The computer system of claim 38 wherein the driver circuit is further configured to replicate a pull-up circuit of an output driver and to use the replicated pull-up circuit to calibrate the output driver.

44. The computer system of claim 38 wherein the driver circuit comprises a pull-down circuit to adjust a pull-down impedance of the driver.

45. The computer system of claim 38 wherein the driver circuit is further configured to replicate a pull-down circuit of an output driver and to use the replicated pull-down circuit to calibrate the output driver.

46. A method for calibrating a driver, the method comprising:

comparing the output impedance of the driver to a target output impedance to determine if the output impedance is within a first range of the target output impedance or a second range of the target output impedance;

adjusting the output impedance of the driver in binary steps if the output impedance is within a first range of the target output impedance;

filtering the output impedance of the driver if the output impedance of the driver to a target output impedance is within as second range of the target output impedance;

adjusting the output impedance of the driver in binary substeps if the output impedance is within a second range of the target output impedance;

repeating at least one comparison and adjustment of the output impedance of the driver to a target output impedance; and

outputting a final impedance of the driver based on the at least one comparison.

47. The method of claim 46 wherein comparing the output impedance of a driver to a target output impedance further comprises:

comparing the output impedance of a driver to a value above the target output impedance;

comparing the output impedance of the driver to a value below the target output impedance;

comparing the output impedance of the driver to the target output impedance; and

calculating an adjustment signal to adjust the output impedance of the driver to best match the target output impedance.

48. The method of claim 46 wherein comparing the output impedance of a driver to a target output impedance further comprises determining the value of the difference in magnitude between the output impedance of the driver and the target output impedance.

49. The method of claim 46 further comprising using a replicate pull-down circuit of an output driver for generating a calibration signal to apply to an actual output driver.

50. The method of claim 46 further comprising using a replicate pull-up circuit of an output driver for generating a calibration signal to apply to an actual output driver.

51. The method of claim 46 wherein comparing the output impedance of a driver to a target output impedance further comprises generating a control signal to provide filtering instructions after evaluating the comparison of the output impedance and the target output impedance.