Flexible Cache Memory Architecture with Selective Region Power Gating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microcontroller systems face challenges in maintaining low power consumption due to interactions with peripherals, which limit the time spent in low power modes, necessitating improved power management protocols and components for very low power operation.
Innovation Solution
A system on chip with a peripheral interface, cache memory regions, and host processor control logic that selectively powers on and powers down memory regions based on utilization, along with a flexible cache memory architecture, a low power analog-to-digital converter, and a negative temperature coefficient buck converter to optimize power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If power mode switching is used to reduce microcontroller power consumption, then power usage is reduced, but peripheral interactions limit the time available in low power modes
Solution Approach 1:
The memory system is divided into multiple independently powerable regions (first data memory region, second data memory region, etc.), each with its own cache memory. The host processor can selectively power on only the memory regions that are currently needed while keeping others in low power states, thereby extending the overall time the system can spend in low power modes while still maintaining necessary functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic power management where the host processor continuously monitors and adjusts the power state of different memory regions based on real-time utilization needs. Memory regions are transitioned between powered-on and powered-down states dynamically, allowing the system to adapt to changing workload requirements and maximize time in low power modes.
2Speed
If multiple data memory regions are kept powered on to ensure data availability, then data access speed is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different memory regions are assigned to different data sets with different access patterns. Frequently accessed data is kept in powered-on memory regions, while less frequently accessed data resides in powered-down regions. This local differentiation allows the system to maintain fast access speeds for critical data while minimizing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-loads data into cache memories of powered-on memory regions before they are needed, and pre-transfers data between memory regions during transitions. This preliminary action ensures that when a memory region is powered on, the required data is already available, maintaining fast access speeds without needing to keep all regions continuously powered.
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
The system achieves extended operation time or reduced battery size by minimizing power consumption through dynamic power management and efficient component utilization, while maintaining performance and security.
Implementation Method 1
a negative temperature coefficient buck converter
Data Source
AI summary
A low power caching architecture is disclosed. The architecture includes multiple data memory regions, each including a cache memory. The data memory regions are coupled to a peripheral device. A host processor is operable to control power to each of the plurality of data memory regions. The host processor is operable to power on any of data memory regions and power down any unused data memory regions of the data memory regions. A cache control logic is operable to receive a data request from the host processor. The cache control logic requests the data from the peripheral. The host processor powers on at least one of the data memory regions, and stores the requested data in the cache memory of the powered on data memory region.