Adaptive Voltage Scaling with Temperature-Sensor Voltage Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adaptive voltage scaling (AVS) technologies are conservative and require extensive characterization at various operating frequencies, leading to suboptimal energy savings and inefficiencies in managing process, temperature, and power supply variations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a lookup table-based adaptive voltage scaling method that utilizes precision analog temperature sensors on the die to generate a voltage indexed by temperature look-up table, allowing for real-time adjustment of the operating voltage based on measured temperature and frequency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conservative voltage scaling with extensive characterization is used, then reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs voltage vs. frequency characterization in advance during manufacturing and stores the results in lookup tables. This preliminary action eliminates the need for conservative margins during operation, allowing the processor to use precise pre-determined voltage values that minimize energy consumption while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conservative mechanical design margins with a data-driven lookup table system. Instead of using fixed conservative voltage values, the system uses measured characterization data stored in lookup tables to determine precise voltage requirements, substituting empirical safety margins with actual measured performance data.
2Manufacturing precision
If lookup table based characterization is used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the complex voltage vs. frequency characterization work in advance during manufacturing, storing results in lookup tables. This moves the complexity from the operational phase to the manufacturing phase, simplifying the running system while achieving high precision through pre-measured data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates simplified copies of the complex voltage-frequency relationship in the form of lookup tables. Instead of implementing complex real-time calculation systems, the patent uses pre-computed voltage values stored in lookup tables that can be quickly retrieved, reducing operational complexity while maintaining precision.
3Stability of the object's composition
If conservative voltage scaling is used, then stability is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-determines the exact voltage requirements for each frequency point through characterization and stores them in lookup tables. This allows the processor to operate at the minimum necessary voltage for each frequency, maximizing processing efficiency while maintaining stability through pre-validated voltage values.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes the operating voltage parameter based on the desired frequency, using lookup tables to select optimal voltage values. This allows the system to achieve maximum productivity by operating at higher frequencies with appropriate voltage scaling, rather than being constrained by conservative fixed voltage margins.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables more precise and dynamic voltage adjustments, resulting in significant energy savings and improved power management by accounting for temperature and process variations, thereby optimizing processor performance and reducing leakage power.
Implementation Method 1
a set of precision analog temperature sensors on the die to generate a voltage indexed by temperature look-up table that will use the measured temperature in the die
Data Source
AI summary
An adaptive voltage scaling technique includes using a temperature sensor arranged on a semiconductor die to determine a current die temperature of the semiconductor die, using a performance sensor arranged on a semiconductor die to determine a current performance metric of the semiconductor die, determining whether the current performance metric matches an expected performance metric based at least partially on the current die temperature and, if the current performance metric does not match the expected performance metric, indicate a performance sensor error, when a performance sensor error is indicated, determining an updated power supply voltage for correcting the performance sensor error, and causing a current power supply voltage supplied by a power supply voltage source of the semiconductor die to be changed to the updated power supply voltage.