Adaptive Clock Supply Control for Fault-Free Frequency Scaling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional systems for synchronizing voltage and frequency in electronic circuits face challenges in adapting response times to manufacturing variability and temperature changes, leading to potential operational faults during frequency adjustments, especially when increasing frequency.

Innovation Solution

A frequency actuator with a controller and adaptation module that differentiates response based on the direction of frequency setpoint changes, using variable multiplier coefficients to manage overshoot and convergence time, ensuring fault-free operation by adjusting the control signal generation dynamically based on temperature and frequency variations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional frequency actuator uses a fixed control law to adjust frequency, then the system structure remains simple, but the response time cannot be adapted to manufacturing variability and temperature changes, causing operational faults during frequency adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefault-free operation during frequency adjustmentVSAvoidfrequency actuator structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the control law adaptive rather than fixed. The frequency actuator dynamically adjusts its response characteristics based on the direction of frequency setpoint changes (increase or decrease) and adapts to manufacturing variability and temperature changes, thereby improving reliability during frequency adjustments without requiring a completely complex restructure of the system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of the control law itself, making it variable based on operating conditions. By detecting whether the frequency setpoint is increasing or decreasing and adjusting the control response accordingly, the system adapts to different thermal and manufacturing conditions, preventing operational faults while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the frequency actuator responds quickly to frequency setpoint changes, then productivity is improved, but overshoot occurs leading to operational faults, especially when increasing frequency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency adjustment speedVSAvoidoperational fault prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating the control response based on the local condition of frequency setpoint direction (increasing or decreasing). When the frequency setpoint is increasing, the control law applies a more conservative response to prevent overshoot and operational faults. When decreasing, a faster response is permitted. This localized adaptation of control characteristics optimizes both productivity and reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by anticipating potential overshoot issues before they occur. When detecting an increasing frequency setpoint, the control law preemptively adjusts the response characteristics to prevent overshoot from occurring in the first place, thereby maintaining fast frequency adjustment while avoiding operational faults

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Device complexity

If a single control law is used for both frequency increase and decrease, then the device complexity is minimized, but the response time cannot be optimized for different operating conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontroller structureVSAvoidfrequency convergence time
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the control law dynamic by selecting different control characteristics based on the direction of frequency change. This dynamic adaptation allows optimal response time for both frequency increases and decreases without requiring multiple complex controllers, as the selection logic is integrated into a single adaptive control structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the control law parameters based on the operating condition (frequency increase or decrease direction). By detecting the setpoint direction and adjusting the control response parameters accordingly, the system optimizes convergence time for different scenarios while maintaining a unified controller structure, balancing complexity and performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2862036B1Device for supplying an electronic circuit
Publication Date: 2019.09.11 COMMISSARIAT A LENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
  • EP2862036B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3A
  • EP2862036B1 patent drawingFigure 3B~6
  • EP2862036B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for supplying an electronic circuit (8) which includes applying a clock signal (H) having a clock frequency (Fappl), which includes: a frequency actuator (6) designed to generate the clock signal (H) in accordance with a frequency setting (Fcons) according to a regulation mechanism; a control module (2) designed to selectively apply to the frequency actuator (6) a first frequency setting or a second frequency setting that is higher than the first setting; and an adaptation module (30) designed to modify the regulation mechanism in accordance with the setting applied.