Bi-Modal Power Delivery for IC Fine-Grained Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power delivery systems for integrated circuits with multiple functional blocks on a semiconductor die face challenges in reducing power consumption due to the need for individual clock and voltage sources, which are costly and resource-intensive, especially in handheld devices with limited pins and high thermal energy generation.
Innovation Solution
A bi-modal power delivery system using a shared high voltage rail and on-die voltage regulators to provide customized power to functional blocks, allowing for high and low power modes without requiring separate power sources for each block, thereby optimizing pin usage and reducing costs and thermal issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If individual power sources are provided for each functional block, then fine-grained power management is achieved, but device complexity and pin requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional blocks share a common power source through the use of on-die voltage regulators that can independently regulate voltage to different blocks. This merging approach reduces the number of external power sources and pins required while maintaining the ability to independently control power delivery to each functional block through integrated regulation circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The on-die voltage regulators serve multiple functional blocks simultaneously, providing universal power delivery capability. A single power source can serve multiple blocks with different power requirements by using programmable voltage regulation to adapt the output voltage to match the specific needs of each connected functional block.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional on-die voltage regulators are used, then programmable supply voltage is provided, but on-die area and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage regulation function is segmented into multiple independent on-die regulators that can be selectively enabled. Instead of providing full-featured programmable regulation for every possible connection, the system uses a limited number of segmented regulation stages that can be configured to serve different functional blocks as needed, reducing total on-die area while maintaining programmability where required.
Solution Approach 2:
Programmable voltage regulation is applied locally only to the specific functional blocks that require it, rather than providing universal programmability across all blocks. The on-die regulators provide localized voltage adjustment capability at the point of use, minimizing the area required for regulation circuitry while maintaining the ability to provide customized voltage to individual blocks that need it.
3Adaptability or versatility
If switch mode power supply topology with inductors is used, then voltage regulation is achieved, but thermal energy generation and integration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The inductors required for switch mode power supply operation are extracted from the on-die implementation and placed externally on the circuit board. This removes the primary source of thermal generation and magnetic interference from the semiconductor die, allowing voltage regulation functionality to be maintained through external components while significantly reducing on-die thermal load and simplifying integration.
Solution Approach 2:
External inductors and magnetic components serve as intermediaries between the power source and the on-die voltage regulators. By placing the magnetic energy storage and transformation functions externally, the system maintains voltage regulation capability while isolating the sensitive on-die circuits from thermal and electromagnetic effects, thereby reducing harmful thermal generation on the die itself.
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 reduces power consumption, simplifies power routing, minimizes inductance, and enhances frequency bandwidth, achieving efficient and cost-effective fine-grained power management while maintaining high performance and low power operation.
Implementation Method 1
providing a first power source to a first functional block of the integrated circuit for supporting a first operating mode of the first functional block
Implementation Method 2
deriving a second power source from the first power source, and providing the second power source to the first functional block for supporting a second operating mode of the first functional block
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
Systems and methods for bi-modal and fine grained power delivery to an integrated circuit (200) comprising functional blocks (2021...202M). A first power source (210) is coupled to a functional block (2021) of the integrated circuit for supporting a first operating mode of the functional block. A second power source (2041) is coupled to the functional block for supporting a second operating mode of the functional block. The first and second operating modes can be high and low frequency modes respectively. The second power source can be derived from the first power source using on-die regulators or provided independently (254). A desired average throughput of the functional block can be achieved by controlling duty cycles of the first and second power sources.