On-Die ADC Power Control for IC PVT Variation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated circuits (ICs) face performance variations across different process, voltage, and temperature (PVT) corners due to manufacturing lithography variations, leading to performance degradations, which existing power management methods fail to adequately address through dynamic voltage scaling.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an on-die analog-to-digital converter (ADC) to sample analog operating parameters and generate feedback/control signals for adjusting the supply voltage, reducing the need for on-die charge pumps and voltage regulators, and utilizing a hierarchical arrangement of master-slave communication interfaces for power management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing power management methods are used, then IC performance varies across PVT corners, but dynamic voltage scaling is insufficient to address performance degradations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where an ADC samples analog operating parameters (voltage, temperature, process characteristics) and feeds this information back to a power management circuit. This closed-loop system dynamically adjusts voltage scaling based on actual PVT conditions, resolving the contradiction by providing both performance consistency through adaptive control and power efficiency through targeted voltage adjustment only when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the voltage parameter based on sampled PVT conditions. By monitoring analog parameters and adjusting voltage scaling factors in response to actual measurements rather than using fixed or predetermined scaling, the system achieves performance consistency across PVT corners while minimizing unnecessary power consumption from continuous high-voltage operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If on-die charge pumps and voltage regulators are used for dynamic voltage scaling, then voltage adjustment is possible, but device complexity and power overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the voltage adjustment function from complex on-die charge pumps and voltage regulators, implementing instead a simplified power management approach using external voltage scaling controlled by ADC-based feedback. This removes the need for sophisticated on-die power management circuitry while retaining adaptive voltage scaling capability, thus reducing device complexity and power overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses an intermediary ADC-based measurement and control interface between the IC and external power management. Rather than implementing complex on-die voltage regulation, the patent uses the ADC to sample PVT conditions and generate control signals that instruct external voltage scalers to adjust supply voltage, thereby achieving voltage adaptability through a simpler intermediary control mechanism.
3Measurement precision
If ADC is used to sample analog operating parameters, then dynamic voltage scaling accuracy improves, but additional power management circuitry is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the ADC serve multiple functions: it samples voltage, temperature, and process characteristics, and uses this information for dynamic voltage scaling decisions. By making the ADC multi-functional rather than adding separate sensors for each PVT parameter, the system achieves high measurement precision for voltage scaling without proportionally increasing power management circuitry complexity.
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 allows for dynamic voltage adjustment to maintain performance across varying conditions, reducing power consumption and eliminating the need for additional power management circuitry, thereby enhancing IC performance and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) disposed on the IC die and configured to quantize values of one or more analog operating parameters of the IC die
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a plurality of programmable hardware resources and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) disposed on an IC die. The ADC is configured to quantize values of one or more analog parameters of the IC die. The apparatus also includes a configuration control circuit configured to program the programmable hardware resources in response to a set of configuration data. The programmable hardware resources are programmed to implement a set of circuits specified by the configuration data and to connect the ADC to respective nodes of the IC die for sampling the analog parameters. The apparatus also includes an interface circuit coupled to the ADC and configured to generate a control signal based on quantized values of the one or more analog parameters from the ADC. The interface circuit outputs the control signal to a power supply coupled to a power terminal of the IC die.