Adjustable Current Power-Up Detector for Low-Leakage Multi-Voltage ICs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated circuit devices with multiple supply voltages face challenges in reducing power consumption and detection speed due to current leakage and delayed operations when managing power-up/down transitions, particularly when I/O devices are powered up before core devices, leading to inefficiencies and increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A power on/off control (POC) network with a power up/down detector that adjusts its current capacity based on feedback signals to detect and respond to power states of the core network, reducing current leakage and improving detection speed by decreasing current capacity during power-on and increasing it during power-down.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the current capacity of the power up/down detector is increased to improve detection speed, then detection speed is improved, but current leakage increases during normal operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the current capacity of the power up/down detector adjustable rather than fixed. The detector dynamically changes its current capacity based on operational state: higher current capacity during power transitions for fast detection, and lower current capacity during stable operation to minimize leakage. This is achieved through feedback circuits that monitor power state and adjust detector parameters accordingly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical parameters (current capacity) of the detector based on operational conditions. By varying the current capacity parameter in response to detected power states, the system optimizes performance: high current capacity enables fast detection during transitions, while low current capacity reduces leakage during stable operation. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction between speed and energy loss.
2Loss of energy
If the current capacity of the power up/down detector is decreased to reduce current leakage, then current leakage is reduced, but detection speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts detector current capacity based on real-time power state monitoring. During stable operation, current capacity is reduced to minimize leakage. During detected power transitions, current capacity is increased to ensure fast detection. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize for low leakage during normal operation while maintaining fast detection capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent varies the current capacity parameter of the detector according to operational phase. Low current capacity is maintained during stable operation to reduce leakage, while high current capacity is activated during power transitions to ensure rapid detection. This parameter modulation resolves the trade-off between leakage reduction and detection speed.
3Ease of operation
If external signals are used to control I/O circuitry during core power collapse, then I/O devices can be controlled, but considerable delay is added to operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the power up/down detector to automatically monitor core power supply status and generate control signals for I/O circuitry without requiring external intervention. The detector autonomously detects power collapse conditions and immediately activates appropriate control signals, eliminating the delays associated with external signal management systems while maintaining proper I/O circuitry control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the power up/down detector to automatically control I/O circuitry. The detector continuously monitors core power supply status and provides real-time feedback signals to control I/O devices. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables immediate response to power collapse conditions without the delays inherent in external control systems, while ensuring proper I/O circuitry management.
4Speed
If hardware solutions are used for power management, then control speed is improved, but significant additional power leakage occurs on the I/O device side
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the I/O device power state adjustable based on core power supply status. The system dynamically transitions I/O devices between active and low-power states in response to detected core power conditions. During core power collapse, I/O devices are quickly placed in a known low-power state to minimize leakage, while maintaining the ability for fast hardware-controlled transitions when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the power state parameter of I/O devices based on core power supply conditions. During normal operation, I/O devices operate at full power for fast control. During core power collapse, the power state parameter is changed to a low-power or known state to minimize leakage. This parameter adaptation allows the system to achieve fast hardware control when needed while minimizing power leakage during power collapse conditions.
Data Source
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AI summary
A multiple supply voltage device includes an input/output (I/O) network operative at a first supply voltage, a core network coupled to the I/O network and operative at a second supply voltage, and a power-on-control (POC) network coupled to the I/O network and the core network. The POC network is configured to transmit a POC signal to the I/O network and includes an adjustable current power up/down detector configured to detect a power state of the core network. The POC network also includes processing circuitry coupled to the adjustable current power up/down detector and configured to process the power state into the POC signal, and one or more feedback circuits. For reducing the leakage current while also improving the power-up/down detection speed, the feedback circuit(s) are coupled to the adjustable current power up/down detector and configured to provide feedback signals to adjust a current capacity of the adjustable current power up/down detector.