Integrated Power Supply Control Circuit for ASICs
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity and increased cost of power supply control circuits in electronic devices, particularly in ASICs, due to the need for a selector circuit to manage power-on and power-off states across multiple power levels, lead to inefficient and costly configurations.
Innovation Solution
A simple circuit configuration that includes power-on and power-off control units with enable signals and discharge circuits, using hard-wired switching FETs and delay circuits to manage power supply timings and prevent sneak currents, eliminating the need for a selector circuit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a selector circuit is used to switch between power-on and power-off control circuits for multiple power levels, then power supply control functionality is achieved, but circuit complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power-on control circuit and power-off control circuit into a single integrated power supply control circuit. The control unit contains both the power-on control unit and power-off control unit, which share common components including the comparator, delay circuit, and FETs. This integration eliminates the need for a selector circuit while maintaining the ability to control multiple power levels (VCC1, VCC2, VCC3) with different timing sequences.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated power supply control circuit performs multiple functions: it controls power-on sequencing for multiple voltage levels, controls power-off sequencing for multiple voltage levels, and monitors voltage levels using a shared comparator. The same FETs (first FET, second FET, third FET) are used in both power-on and power-off operations, making the circuit universal and eliminating the need for separate dedicated circuits for each function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a selector circuit is used to manage power supply states, then power sequencing control is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining power-on and power-off control functions into a single circuit architecture, the patent reduces the total component count including FETs, resistors, capacitors, and interconnections. This integration directly lowers manufacturing costs by reducing bill of materials (BOM) costs and assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit serves as a universal controller that handles both power-on and power-off sequencing for multiple voltage levels. The comparator, delay circuits, and FETs are reused across different control functions, reducing the overall component count and manufacturing cost compared to having separate dedicated circuits for each power level and each control function.
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 solution enables efficient turn-on and turn-off control of multiple power supplies with a reduced circuit complexity, preventing sneak currents and lowering costs by directly controlling enable signals and managing power transitions without a selector circuit.
Implementation Method 1
a discharge circuit for discharging accumulated electric charge when power is turned off
Implementation Method 2
a delay circuit for delaying a power-off signal so as to enable the control unit to operate until completion of power-off for all power levels
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic device includes power-on control means (611) configured to instruct first voltage generation means (601) to generate a first voltage in accordance with a power-on instruction, determine whether or not the first voltage generated by the first voltage generation means (601) has become a predetermined voltage or higher, and instruct second voltage generation means (602) to generate a second voltage when the power-on control means (611) determines that the first voltage has become the predetermined voltage or higher; and power-off control means (631) configured to instruct the second voltage generation means (602) to stop generation of the second voltage in accordance with a power-off instruction, and instruct the first voltage generation means (601) to stop generation of the first voltage after a predetermined time period has elapsed from the power-off instruction.