Adaptive Voltage Scaling for Chip Aging Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adaptive voltage scaling technologies in mobile devices lead to aging acceleration and increased power consumption due to infrequent adjustments of the minimum operating voltage, resulting in chip failure and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
An adaptive voltage scaling method that compensates for the minimum operating voltage of a chip multiple times throughout its life cycle by determining an aging compensation voltage based on state parameters such as operating voltage and temperature, using a mapping relationship obtained through simulation, to adjust the operating voltage and prevent chip failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the supply voltage is adjusted using the minimum operating voltage plus aging voltage increment obtained from aging experiments, then chip failure is avoided, but aging acceleration and power consumption increase occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic voltage adjustment by setting multiple voltage adjustment time points throughout the chip's life cycle. Instead of using a static voltage increment based on aging experiments, the system dynamically determines the voltage increment at each time point based on real-time state parameters (operating voltage, temperature, frequency) and a pre-built mapping relationship from aging simulations. This dynamic approach allows the chip to operate at optimal voltage levels at different stages, avoiding excessive voltage application that would accelerate aging and increase power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters used for voltage adjustment from static experimental values to dynamic simulated values based on actual operating conditions. By using state parameters (voltage, temperature, frequency) combined with a pre-built mapping relationship from aging simulations, the system adapts the voltage increment to match actual aging effects under specific operating conditions, rather than applying a fixed increment that causes over-compensation and increased power consumption.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the supply voltage is adjusted using the minimum operating voltage plus aging voltage increment, then the chip can operate throughout its life cycle, but the operating voltage is frequently too high causing aging acceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary aging simulations to build a mapping relationship between state parameters and voltage increments before the chip is manufactured. This pre-computed mapping relationship captures the aging characteristics under various operating conditions. During actual operation, the system queries this pre-built mapping relationship to determine appropriate voltage increments, avoiding the need for conservative over-compensation and enabling more precise voltage control that reduces aging acceleration while ensuring life cycle operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring state parameters (operating voltage, temperature, frequency) and using them to query the pre-built mapping relationship for determining appropriate voltage increments. This feedback mechanism ensures that voltage adjustments are based on actual operating conditions and real-time chip state, rather than fixed experimental values, allowing the system to adapt to actual aging effects and avoid excessive voltage application that would accelerate aging.
3Reliability
If aging compensation voltage is determined through aging experiments and statistics analysis, then the minimum operating voltage can be adjusted, but the adjustment is not precise enough leading to unnecessary power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the aging process through detailed aging simulations that model the chip's behavior under various operating conditions. Instead of relying on limited experimental data and statistical analysis, the system uses these simulation copies to build a comprehensive mapping relationship between state parameters and voltage increments. This simulated copy provides more precise and comprehensive aging characteristics than physical experiments alone, enabling more accurate voltage adjustments and reducing unnecessary power consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide an adaptive voltage scaling method, chip, and device. An aging effect-related state parameter in a chip is obtained at a first voltage adjustment time point. The first voltage adjustment time point is one of multiple voltage adjustment time points set for the chip. An aging compensation voltage corresponding to the first voltage adjustment time point is determined according to the state parameter. A minimum operating voltage of the chip is compensated for according to the aging compensation voltage, so as to adjust an operating voltage of the chip.