Bus Module Power Control Unit for Data Transfer Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In recent semiconductor integration circuits, the power consumption of bus systems remains high due to the need for continuous power and clock supply, making it difficult to further reduce power consumption without risking data loss or system freezing, especially with a large number of master modules driven by external interrupts.
Innovation Solution
A data transfer apparatus with a power control unit that transitions bus modules to a power-saving mode by detecting data transfer states and using power control signals to enable or disable power-saving mode based on communication with each bus module, allowing for controlled power management without special processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If power and clock are continuously supplied to the bus system to prepare for data transfer, then data transfer reliability is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bus system dynamically switches between active and power-saving modes based on real-time data transfer status. The power control unit adjusts power supply and clock signals adaptively - providing full power during active data transfer and reducing power when no transfer is occurring, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining reliability and reducing power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (power supply voltage and clock frequency) based on the data transfer state. During active transfer, parameters are set to ensure reliable operation; during idle periods, parameters are reduced to save power, effectively balancing reliability and energy consumption
2Use of energy by moving object
If power supply and clock are interrupted to reduce power consumption, then power saving is achieved, but data loss or system freezing occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The power control unit performs preliminary detection of the data transfer state before interrupting power supply. By checking whether data transfer is in progress beforehand, the system ensures that power is only interrupted when safe to do so, preventing data loss or system freezing while achieving power savings
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control where the power control unit continuously monitors the data transfer state and adjusts power supply accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that power interruption decisions are based on real-time system state, preventing harmful interruptions while enabling power savings during safe periods
3Adaptability or versatility
If software procedure is used to control power supply and clock, then power management flexibility is improved, but it is difficult to ensure all master modules issue no data transfer requests
Solution Approach 1:
The power control unit acts as an intermediary between the master modules and the power supply system. It directly monitors the bus system's data transfer state through hardware mechanisms, eliminating the need for software polling of multiple master modules. This intermediary approach provides both the flexibility of centralized control and the reliability of direct hardware-based status detection
4Measurement precision
If CPU controls power supply and clock with special procedures, then power control precision is improved, but program complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power control unit implements self-service by autonomously detecting the data transfer state and controlling power supply without CPU intervention. This eliminates the need for complex CPU-based control procedures while maintaining precise power management, as the power control unit directly interfaces with the bus system to make real-time decisions
Data Source
AI summary
A bus system comprises a plurality of bus modules each for performing data transfer between a master module and a slave module. A power control module controls transition to a power-saving mode of each bus module based on communication with the plurality of bus modules. The power control module comprises a plurality of control modules corresponding to the plurality of bus modules respectively. Each control module performs communication with the corresponding bus module using power control signals.