Connection structure of power switch unit and internal power supply circuit in integrated circuit

Abstract

The invention discloses a connection structure of a power switch unit and an internal power supply system of an integrated circuit. The connection structure is arranged in a channel between adjacent functional devices in the integrated circuit. Wherein the deployment area of the channel is cut into N sub-areas along the vertical direction of the bottom surface of the channel, a group of power switch units are deployed in each sub-area, and one of the two power switch units in each group of power switch units is located above the other power switch unit; the connection structure comprises a first power switch unit, a second power switch unit,..., and a 2Nth power switch unit which are sequentially connected in series, wherein the deployment direction of the N groups of power switch units is far away from the core area, and the deployment sequence of the N groups of power switch units is the first group of power switch units, the second group of power switch units,..., and the Nth group of power switch units; wherein the nth group of power switch units comprises the nth power switch unit and the (2N-n + 1) th power switch unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to integrated circuit technology, and more particularly to a connection structure of a power switch unit and an internal power supply circuit in an integrated circuit. Background Art

[0002] Power gating inserts a power switch cell between the top-level power network and the regional power network to cut off the power supply when the circuit is in sleep state, effectively reducing the static power consumption in sleep state.

[0003] A controlled power supply area that can be powered off is provided in the integrated circuit. In this power supply area, all standard units are powered by an internal power supply system when the power is not turned off. The power of the internal power supply system is provided by multiple power switch units connected in series. The number of power switch units determines the power supply capacity of the internal power supply system. In the same area, the more power switch units there are, the denser the distribution of the power switch units in the area is, and the stronger the power supply capacity of the area is; conversely, the fewer the power switch units are, the sparser the distribution of the power switch units in the area is, and the weaker the power supply capacity of the area is.

[0004] In an integrated circuit, a certain amount of space is reserved between adjacent functional devices to form a channel. Since the channel space is usually very narrow, the number of power switch units that can be deployed in the channel is very small, and the corresponding power supply capacity is weak, which makes it easy for the standard units in the channel to be underpowered. Summary of the invention

[0005] Embodiments of the present application provide a connection structure of a power switch unit and an internal power supply circuit in an integrated circuit.

[0006] A connection structure of a power switch unit, which is deployed in a channel between adjacent functional devices in an integrated circuit; wherein the deployment area of ​​the channel is cut into N sub-areas along a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface of the channel, and a group of power switch units is deployed in each sub-area, wherein one of the two power switch units in each group of power switch units is located above the other power switch unit; wherein: The connection structure includes a first power switch unit, a second power switch unit, ..., and a 2Nth power switch unit connected in series in sequence; The deployment direction of the N groups of power switch units is away from the core area, and the deployment order is the first group of power switch units, the second group of switch units, ..., and the Nth group of power switch units; wherein the nth group of power switch units includes the nth power switch unit and the 2N-n+1th power switch unit; Wherein, n=1,2,3,…,2N, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

[0007] An internal power supply circuit in an integrated circuit comprises a power switch network located in a core area and the connection structure described above; wherein the power switch network in the core area is divided into a first subnet and a second subnet, wherein the end of the first subnet is a first power switch unit, wherein the starting end of the second subnet is a second power switch unit, wherein the signal input end of the first power switch unit is connected to the signal output end of the first power switch unit, and the signal output end of the 2Nth power switch unit is connected to the signal input end of the second power switch unit in the core area.

[0008] In the embodiments of the present application, within the deployment area of ​​the same channel, the power switch units can be additionally doubled, thereby increasing the number of power switch units in the channel area and the distribution density of the power switch units, thereby improving the power supply capacity in the channel; and, within the channel, signals can be transmitted with adjacent power switch units without crossing the power switch units, thereby shortening the transmission distance of the signal between the two power switch units and ensuring that the conversion level meets the usage requirements.

[0009] Other features and advantages of the present application will be described in the following description, and partly become apparent from the description, or be understood by implementing the present application. Other advantages of the present application can be realized and obtained by the schemes described in the description and the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The accompanying drawings are used to provide an understanding of the technical solution of the present application and constitute a part of the specification. Together with the embodiments of the present application, they are used to explain the technical solution of the present application and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solution of the present application.

[0011] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the deployment of the internal power supply system in the related technology; Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the deployment of the internal power supply system provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] The present application describes multiple embodiments, but the description is exemplary rather than restrictive, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that there may be more embodiments and implementations within the scope of the embodiments described in the present application. Although many possible feature combinations are shown in the drawings and discussed in the specific embodiments, many other combinations of the disclosed features are also possible. Unless specifically limited, any feature or element of any embodiment may be used in combination with any other feature or element in any other embodiment, or may replace any other feature or element in any other embodiment.

[0013] The present application includes and contemplates combinations of features and elements known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The embodiments, features and elements disclosed in the present application may also be combined with any conventional features or elements to form a unique invention scheme. Any features or elements of any embodiment may also be combined with features or elements from other invention schemes to form another unique invention scheme. Therefore, it should be understood that any feature shown and / or discussed in the present application may be implemented individually or in any appropriate combination. Therefore, except for the limitations made according to the attached claims and their equivalents, the embodiments are not subject to other restrictions. In addition, various modifications and changes may be made within the scope of protection of the attached claims.

[0014] In addition, when describing representative embodiments, the specification may have presented the method and / or process as a specific sequence of steps. However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on the specific order of the steps described herein, the method or process should not be limited to the steps of the specific order described. As will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, other sequences of steps are also possible. Therefore, the specific sequence of the steps set forth in the specification should not be interpreted as a limitation to the claims. In addition, the claims for the method and / or process should not be limited to the steps of performing them in the order written, and those skilled in the art can easily understand that these sequences can be changed and still remain within the spirit and scope of the embodiments of the present application.

[0015] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the deployment of the internal power supply system in the related technology. Figure 1 As shown, the internal power supply system is an externally controlled power supply system, and can determine whether to perform a power supply operation according to an external control signal. Therefore, the internal power supply system is a controlled power-off system, which can meet the design requirements of low power consumption.

[0016] The internal power supply system receives a control signal (e.g., Power_on) through a signal input terminal (IN) of the internal power supply system, wherein the control signal is used to control whether to perform a power supply operation; then controls whether to perform a power supply operation based on the control signal, and outputs a response signal (e.g., Power_ack) of the control signal through a signal output terminal (OUT).

[0017] exist Figure 1 In the structure shown, the internal power supply system is divided into a core area and a channel area, wherein a portion of the power switch units (e.g., P1 to P7) in the internal power supply system are deployed in the core area, and another portion of the power switch units (e.g., P8 to P12) are deployed in the channel area. Since there is a gap between two adjacent functional devices deployed on the integrated circuit, a channel is formed as the channel area.

[0018] exist Figure 1 In the structure shown, in the core area, along the direction away from the signal input end, the deployment positions of the seven power switch units are P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, and P7, among which P4 and P5 are adjacent to the channel area.

[0019] exist Figure 1 In the structure shown, in the channel area, along the direction away from the core area, the deployment positions of the five power switch units are P8, P9, P10, P11, and P12 respectively.

[0020] Under the above deployment position, the control signal passes through P1, P2, P3, P4, P8, P9, P11, P12, P10, P8, P5, P6, and P7 in sequence during the transmission of the above 12 power switch units.

[0021] from Figure 1 It can be seen that the setting interval of the power switch units in the channel area is significantly larger than the setting interval of the power switch units in the core area. Therefore, compared with the deployment method of the power switch units in the core area, the deployment method of the power switch units in the channel area is more sparse. Therefore, the power supply capacity of the channel area is weaker than that of the core area.

[0022] In addition, it can be seen from the routing method that the signals in the core area are transmitted in sequence according to the deployment position, while in the channel area, they need to cross a power switch unit for transmission. For example, the control signal output by P4 needs to cross P8 to be transmitted to P9. Similarly, the control signal output by P9 needs to cross P10 to be transmitted to P11, the control signal output by P12 needs to cross P11 to be transmitted to P10, and the control signal output by P10 needs to cross P19 to be transmitted to P8. By comparison, it can be seen that the transmission distance of the signal in the channel area between the two power switch units is long, which easily causes the conversion level to fail to meet the use requirements.

[0023] Based on the above analysis, the present application embodiment proposes the following solutions, including: The connection structure of the power switch unit provided in the embodiment of the present application is deployed in a channel between adjacent functional devices in an integrated circuit; wherein: According to the spatial size of the channel, it can be determined that on the same horizontal plane, the deployment area of ​​the channel can support the deployment of N power switch units. Therefore, along the direction perpendicular to the bottom surface of the channel, the deployment area of ​​the channel is divided into N sub-areas.

[0024] If adopted Figure 1 In the structure shown, each sub-area can be deployed with one power switch unit; and Figure 1 What is different from the structure shown is that, in the present application, a group of power switch units is deployed in each sub-area, wherein each group of power switch units is provided with 2 power switch units, and one of the 2 power switch units is located above the other power switch unit, and the two power switch units are stacked so that the two power switch units are not at the same height, thereby achieving the purpose of adding one power switch unit in the same space, so that N sub-areas can accommodate 2N power switch units.

[0025] From the above comparison, we can see that in the deployment area of ​​the same channel, Figure 1 Only the deployment of the embodiment of the present application can double the additional power switch units, thereby increasing the number of power switch units in the channel area and the distribution density of the power switch units, thereby improving the power supply capacity in the channel.

[0026] In addition, the connection structure includes a first power switch unit, a second power switch unit, ..., and a 2Nth power switch unit connected in series in sequence; Among them, the above-mentioned power switch unit is used to supply power to the standard unit in the channel; among them, the standard unit is the basic component in the integrated circuit design, and they constitute the basic unit of the integrated circuit logic function, among which the standard unit can be a variety of basic units such as inverters, AND gates, registers, selectors, full adders, etc.

[0027] In addition, the 1st and 2Nth power switch units are also used for signal transmission with the power switch units of the core network.

[0028] When the power switch network of the core area of ​​the internal power supply circuit in the integrated circuit is divided into a first subnet and a second subnet, the end of the first subnet is the first power switch unit, the starting end of the second subnet is the second power switch unit, the signal input end of the first power switch unit is connected to the signal output end of the first power switch unit, and the signal output end of the 2Nth power switch unit is connected to the signal input end of the second power switch unit in the core area.

[0029] The above 2N power switch units are deployed as follows: The deployment direction of N groups of power switch units is away from the core area, and the deployment order is the 1st group of power switch units, the 2nd group of switch units, ..., and the Nth group of power switch units; wherein the nth group of power switch units includes the nth power switch unit and the 2N-n+1th power switch unit, wherein n=1,2,3,...,2N, wherein N is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

[0030] For the 1st to Nth power switch units, their deployment positions are the 1st power switch unit, the 2nd switch unit, ..., and the Nth power switch unit, wherein the power switch unit with a higher ranking is closer to the core area; conversely, the power switch unit with a lower ranking is farther from the core area; According to the connection structure, the signal passes through the 1st power switch unit, the 2nd switch unit, ..., and the Nth power switch unit in sequence between the 1st to N power switch units, which is consistent with the deployment position of the 1st to N power switch units and does not need to cross other power switch units.

[0031] For the power switch units from N+1 to 2N, their deployment positions are the 2N power switch unit, the 2N-1 switch unit, ..., and the N+1 power switch unit, wherein the higher the order, the closer to the core area; conversely, the later the order, the farther from the core area; According to the connection structure, the signal passes through the N+1th power switch unit, the N+2th switch unit, ..., and the 2Nth power switch unit in sequence between the N+1th to 2Nth power switch units, which is consistent with the deployment position of the N+1th to 2Nth power switch units, and there is no need to cross other power switch units.

[0032] and Figure 1By comparing the signal transmission methods of the shown structures, it can be seen that the connection structure provided in the embodiment of the present application can realize signal transmission with adjacent power switch units in the channel without crossing the power switch unit, thereby shortening the transmission distance of the signal between the two power switch units and ensuring that the conversion level meets the usage requirements.

[0033] The following is a description of the structure of the connection provided in the embodiment of the present application: In an exemplary embodiment, the straight line corresponding to the center points of two power switch units in the same group of power switch units is perpendicular to the bottom surface of the channel to ensure that one power switch unit in the same group of power switch units is located directly below another power switch unit.

[0034] Further, in the nth group of power switch units, the distance between the nth power switch unit and the bottom surface of the channel is greater than the distance between the 2N-n+1th power switch unit and the bottom surface of the channel.

[0035] In practical applications, one power switch unit in the same group of power switch units can be used as an existing device, and the other power switch unit can be used as a newly added device in the improved solution of this application. By deploying the newly added device below the existing device, the free space below the existing device can be fully utilized to achieve the purpose of saving deployment space; the existing wiring layout space can also provide deployment space for the wiring of the power switch unit located above in the improved solution of this application. In addition, the above operation complexity is relatively low.

[0036] In an exemplary embodiment, the distance between each of the 1st to Nth power switch units and the bottom surface of the channel is equal; the distance between each of the N+1th to 2Nth power switch units and the bottom surface of the channel is equal.

[0037] In the above exemplary embodiments, the deployment height of the power switch units located at the top in each group of power switch units is controlled to be consistent, and the deployment height of the power switch units located at the top in each group of power switch units is controlled to be consistent, which can effectively ensure the consistency of the deployment method of components and optimize the spatial layout.

[0038] Furthermore, the distances between two adjacent groups of power switch units in the N groups of power switch units are equal, which can ensure that the routing distances of the signals in the two power switch units are equal, thereby ensuring the transmission quality of the signals.

[0039] In addition, a vertical distance between the nth power switch unit and the 2N-n+1th power switch unit is smaller than a horizontal distance between the nth power switch unit and the n+1th power switch unit.

[0040] In this exemplary embodiment, the vertical distance between two power switch units in the same group of power switch units (i.e., the nth power switch unit and the 2N-n+1th power switch unit) is deployed by fully utilizing the free space below the deployed power switch units. Therefore, the available deployment space is relatively limited. Therefore, the vertical distance between two power switch units in the same group of power switch units is relatively small. The horizontal distance between two adjacent power switch units on the same horizontal plane (i.e., the nth power switch unit and the n+1th power switch unit) needs to consider the signal interference between the two adjacent power switch units. Therefore, the horizontal distance between two adjacent power switch units on the same horizontal plane should be appropriately larger.

[0041] In an exemplary embodiment, the signal input end of each of the 1st to 2N power switch units is on the same side; the signal output end of each of the 1st to 2N power switch units is on the same side, which simplifies the difficulty of wiring layout while ensuring the consistency of deployment methods.

[0042] Furthermore, the signal input end of each of the 1st to 2N power switch units is on the same side as the signal input end of the power switch unit in the core area; the signal input end of each of the 1st to 2N power switch units is on the same side as the signal output end of the power switch unit in the core area.

[0043] By controlling the deployment mode of the power switch unit in the channel to be consistent with the deployment mode of the power switch unit in the core area, the probability of erroneous operation is reduced and the wiring layout is simplified.

[0044] There are two types of power switch units, Footer type and Header type. The Footer type uses the VSS switch to turn the standard unit on and off, while the Header type uses the VDD switch to turn the standard unit on and off. In practical applications, the Header type power switch unit is often used because of its advantages such as low leakage and convenience.

[0045] In the embodiment of the present application, the structure type of the 2N power switch units is a Header type.

[0046] An embodiment of the present application also provides an internal power supply circuit in an integrated circuit, comprising a power switch network located in a core area and the connection structure described above; wherein the power switch network in the core area is divided into a first subnet and a second subnet, wherein the first subnet includes the first power switch unit, and wherein the second subnet includes the second power switch unit.

[0047] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the deployment of the internal power supply system provided in the embodiment of the present application. Figure 2 As shown, according to the spatial size of the channel, it can be determined that on the same horizontal plane, the deployment area of ​​the channel can support the deployment of 5 power switch units. Therefore, the deployment area of ​​the channel is divided into 5 sub-areas, and 5 groups of power switch units are deployed. Therefore, 10 power switch units can be deployed. Correspondingly, the connection structure is 10 power switch units connected in series in sequence, namely X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, X8, X9, and X10; among them, X1 and X10 stacked up and down are a group of power switch units, X2 and X9 stacked up and down are a group of power switch units, X3 and X8 stacked up and down are a group of power switch units, X4 and X7 stacked up and down are a group of power switch units, and X5 and X6 stacked up and down are a group of power switch units.

[0048] exist Figure 2 In the structure shown, P1 to P7 are power switch units of the core area, constituting a power switch network of the core area, wherein the power switch network is divided into a first subnet and a second subnet, wherein P1 to P4 are power switch units of the first subnet, wherein P4 is the end of the first subnet; wherein P5 to P7 are power switch units of the second subnet, wherein P5 is the starting end of the second subnet.

[0049] exist Figure 2 In the structure shown, in the core area, along the direction away from the signal input end, the deployment positions of the seven power switch units are P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, and P7, among which P4 and P5 are adjacent to the channel area.

[0050] exist Figure 2 In the structure shown, in the same group of power switch units, the power switch unit with a smaller number is above the power switch unit with a larger number. Therefore, in the channel area, along the direction away from the core area, the deployment positions of the 5 power switch units stacked on the upper layer are X1, X2, X3, X4, and X5, respectively, and the deployment positions of the 5 power switch units stacked on the lower layer are X6, X7, X8, X9, and X10, respectively.

[0051] Under the above deployment position, the control signal passes through P1, P2, P3, P4, X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, X8, X9, X10, P5, P6, and P7 in the process of transmission among the above 17 power switch units.

[0052] Will Figure 2 and Figure 1 By comparing the structures shown in the figure, it can be seen that within the deployment area of ​​the channel, Figure 2The number of power switch units deployed is 10. Figure 1 There are five deployed power switch units. Therefore, the connection structure provided in the embodiment of the present application increases the number of power switch units in the channel area, increases the distribution density of the power switch units, and thus improves the power supply capacity in the channel. In addition, the signal in the channel area provided in the embodiment of the present application can be transmitted with the adjacent power switch unit without crossing the power switch unit, shortening the transmission distance of the signal between the two power switch units and ensuring that the conversion level meets the use requirements.

[0053] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential" and the like indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the referred device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present application.

[0054] In addition, the terms "first", "second", etc. are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first", "second", etc. may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features.

[0055] In the description of the present application, “plurality” means at least two, for example, two, three, etc., unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0056] In this application, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", "connected", "fixed", etc. should be understood in a broad sense. For example, "connected" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements, unless otherwise clearly defined. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0057] In the present application, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, a first feature being “above” or “below” a second feature may mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or the first and second features are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Moreover, a first feature being “above”, “above”, and “above” a second feature may mean that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being “below”, “below”, and “below” a second feature may mean that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0058] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example" or "some examples" etc. means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present application. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described may be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. In addition, those skilled in the art may combine and combine the different embodiments or examples described in this specification and the features of the different embodiments or examples, without contradiction.

[0059] Although the embodiments of the present application have been shown and described above, it can be understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and cannot be understood as limitations on the present application. Ordinary technicians in this field can change, modify, replace and modify the above embodiments within the scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A connection structure of a power switch unit, which is deployed in a channel between adjacent functional devices in an integrated circuit; wherein the deployment area of ​​the channel is cut into N sub-areas along a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface of the channel, and a group of power switch units is deployed in each sub-area, wherein one of the two power switch units in each group of power switch units is located above the other power switch unit; wherein: The connection structure includes a first power switch unit, a second power switch unit, ..., and a 2Nth power switch unit connected in series in sequence; The deployment direction of the N groups of power switch units is away from the core area, and the deployment order is the first group of power switch units, the second group of switch units, ..., and the Nth group of power switch units; wherein the nth group of power switch units includes the nth power switch unit and the 2N-n+1th power switch unit; Wherein, n=1,2,3,…,2N, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

2. The connection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The straight lines corresponding to the center points of two power switch units in the same group of power switch units are perpendicular to the bottom surface of the channel.

3. The connection structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The distance between each power switch unit in the 1st to Nth power switch units and the bottom surface of the channel is equal; the distance between each power switch unit in the N+1th to 2Nth power switch units and the bottom surface of the channel is equal.

4. The connection structure according to claim 3, characterized in that: In the nth group of power switch units, a distance between the nth power switch unit and the bottom surface of the channel is greater than a distance between the 2N-n+1th power switch unit and the bottom surface of the channel.

5. The connection structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: The distances between two adjacent groups of power switch units in the N groups of power switch units are equal.

6. The connection structure according to claim 5, characterized in that: A vertical distance between the nth power switch unit and the 2N-n+1th power switch unit is smaller than a horizontal distance between the nth power switch unit and the n+1th power switch unit.

7. The connection structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The signal input end of each power switch unit in the 1st to 2N power switch units is on the same side; the signal output end of each power switch unit in the 1st to 2N power switch units is on the same side.

8. The connection structure according to claim 7, characterized in that: The signal input end of each of the 1st to 2N power switch units is on the same side as the signal input end of the power switch unit in the core area; the signal input end of each of the 1st to 2N power switch units is on the same side as the signal output end of the power switch unit in the core area.

9. The connection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The structure type of the 2N power switch units is Header type.

10. An internal power supply circuit in an integrated circuit, comprising a power switch network located in a core area and a connection structure as described in any one of claims 1 to 9; wherein the power switch network in the core area is divided into a first subnet and a second subnet, wherein the end of the first subnet is a first power switch unit, wherein the starting end of the second subnet is a second power switch unit, wherein the signal input end of the first power switch unit is connected to the signal output end of the first power switch unit, and the signal output end of the 2Nth power switch unit is connected to the signal input end of the second power switch unit in the core area.

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