System and method for integrating a digital core with a switch mode power supply

Abstract

A digital core embodied within a semiconductor die that requires plural separate power supply voltage domains is situated within any of a variety of integrated circuit packaging technologies. Within the integrated circuit package including this semiconductor die also exists a switch mode DC-to-DC voltage converter, preferably a synchronous step-down regulator powering the entire integrated circuit from one supply voltage. The components contained within the integrated circuit package along with the semiconductor die include the switch mode power supply's power switching transistors, inductor core and windings, digital open-loop output voltage fixing circuitry, output capacitors and substrate for mounting said components when integrated within a packaging technology that does not already include a substrate.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention is generally in the field of semiconductor circuits. More specifically, the present invention is in the field of semiconductor die packaging with integrated power supply voltage regulation.[0003]2. Background Art[0004]Advances in semiconductor integrated circuit fabrication processes and digital standard cell and semi-custom application specific integrated circuit, “ASIC”, design methodologies have given rise to digital and mixed analog and digital signal integrated circuits requiring separate power supplies for various parts including a unique voltage for the digital core power supply, and a second, unique power supply voltage for the input / output pad ring, and possibly a third power supply voltage for miscellaneous analog functions. While this advancement brings the advantage of reduced core power consumption as a product of one-half the total gate capacitances times the gate voltages squared times t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This approach achieves high efficiency (>90%) in power conversion, reducing overall system cost, power consumption, and heat dissipation while maintaining reliability, by eliminating the need for additional cooling components and optimizing power supply management within the semiconductor die.

Problems solved by technology

While this advancement brings the advantage of reduced core power consumption as a product of one-half the total gate capacitances times the gate voltages squared times the switching frequency, there arises the problem of regulation of these additional voltages.

Often both the system-on-chip designer and the top-level integrator, not having the time, resources, or background of experience in power supply design tend to choose simple-to-implement, but less than optimal linear voltage regulation cores or devices to provide these plural voltage domains from a single supply voltage.

The overall solution cost and power consumption may actually rise if this heat dissipated in the linear voltage regulator is great enough to require additional components to provide forced air convection cooling.

Also, the system-on-chip itself could require additional heat-sinking components or else suffer reduced reliability due to the implementation of a linear voltage regulator on-chip, thereby driving-up hidden costs of the total solution.