Analog Circuit Disable Control for Low-Voltage Power States

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic circuits face challenges in power management, particularly in low power states, as analog circuits remain active and difficult to shut off due to voltage drop issues, leading to increased power consumption and longer latency in transitioning between power states.

Innovation Solution

A disable module is integrated into the electronic circuit to detect input voltage levels and power off analog circuits when the voltage drops below a safe threshold, preventing damage and reducing power consumption during low power states without fully shutting off the supply voltage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the supply voltage is reduced to a first low power state, then power consumption is reduced, but analog circuits remain active and consume current

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidanalog circuit current consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

A disable module is introduced as an intermediary component that monitors the supply voltage and controls the enabling/disabling of analog circuits. When the supply voltage drops to the first low power state level, the disable module detects this condition and automatically disables the analog circuits, preventing them from consuming current at unsafe voltage levels. This intermediary mechanism resolves the contradiction by adding intelligent control between the voltage regulator and analog circuits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of energy

If the analog circuit is shut off to reduce power consumption, then current consumption decreases, but transistors may be exposed to voltage drops greater than VMAX causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurrent consumptionVSAvoidtransistor safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The disable module performs preliminary action by monitoring the supply voltage before it drops to unsafe levels. When the voltage reaches the first low power state threshold, the disable module proactively disables the analog circuits before the voltage can drop further to dangerous levels. This preliminary intervention prevents the harmful voltage drop condition from occurring, resolving the contradiction between power savings and transistor safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The disable module implements a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors the supply voltage and adjusts the analog circuit enable/disable state accordingly. When voltage drops to the first low power state level, the feedback loop triggers the disable module to turn off analog circuits. When voltage returns to normal levels, the feedback loop re-enables them. This closed-loop control resolves the contradiction by dynamically adapting circuit operation to safe voltage conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of energy

If the supply voltage is shut off to a second low power state, then power consumption is minimized, but latency to enter and exit the state increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidlatency

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of completely shutting off the supply voltage to achieve minimum power consumption (second low power state), the invention applies partial action by reducing voltage to the first low power state and selectively disabling only the analog circuits. This partial approach achieves significant power savings without requiring the full voltage shutdown, thereby avoiding the excessive latency associated with entering and exiting complete power-off states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Loss of energy

If analog circuits are disabled during low power state, then power consumption is reduced, but circuit complexity increases due to disable module

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcircuit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The disable module is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both a voltage monitor and a circuit controller. By combining these functions in a single integrated module, the patent minimizes the additional complexity introduced while achieving the benefit of selective analog circuit disabling. The universal design allows the same module to handle both detection and control tasks, reducing the overall component count and complexity increase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2795423B1Apparatus and method for managing power in a computing system

Publication Date: 2017.10.25 INTEL CORP

AI summary

A disable module may be coupled to an analog circuit of an electronic circuit. The disable module may detect an input voltage that is supplied to the analog circuit, and may disable (such as by powering off) the analog circuit if the input voltage is below a reference value. The reference value may be set at a voltage level at or below a maximum voltage that may be present across a transistor in the analog circuit. Accordingly, the analog circuit may be disabled without damage to the transistors of the analog circuit. The disable module may detect whether the input voltage is below the reference value level by comparing the input voltage to a reference voltage. The electronic circuit may include a voltage regulator, and the voltage regulator may include the analog circuit.