Localized Charge Injector With Level Shifter for Vcc Droop Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-frequency supply voltage (Vcc) droop degrades processor performance and energy efficiency due to interactions between capacitors and inductive parasitic circuit components, leading to delayed circuit operation and reduced operating frequency, which requires a voltage guard band margin and hurts energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A localized charge injector (CI) scheme that detects Vcc droop near the load and injects charges from an extra-high-voltage rail to mitigate droop, avoiding overreaction and unnecessary power consumption, with a level-shifter integrated to ensure transistor reliability even during sleep mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fully integrated voltage regulator (FIVR) techniques are used to mitigate Vcc droop, then Vcc droop is reduced, but power consumption increases and response time is delayed due to global charge injection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the monolithic FIVR into multiple distributed charge injector (CI) blocks across the die. Each CI block independently mitigates Vcc droop in its local region, eliminating the need for global charge injection. This segmentation reduces unnecessary power consumption by avoiding blanket charge injection across the entire processor when only localized droop occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements localized Vcc droop detection and charge injection at specific die locations where droop actually occurs. Each CI block monitors its local Vcc rail and injects charge only when needed in that specific region. This local approach prevents overreaction and unnecessary power consumption associated with global FIVR charge injection.
2Reliability
If traditional FIVR techniques are used to mitigate Vcc droop, then Vcc droop is reduced, but response time is delayed due to remote detection and global charge injection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the voltage regulation function into multiple distributed CI blocks, each with its own local Vcc detection circuit. This eliminates the long signal path from remote detection to charge injection, enabling each block to respond immediately to local Vcc droop events without the latency inherent in global FIVR approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces local Vcc detection circuits as intermediaries between the power rail and charge injection mechanism. These local detectors are positioned close to the load, enabling rapid detection of Vcc droop and immediate local charge injection, thereby reducing the response time compared to remote detection in traditional FIVR.
3Power
If charge injector clamp operates under extra-high-voltage Vcc,H, then droop mitigation capability is enhanced, but transistor reliability is compromised due to exceeding Vmax limits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a level-shifter circuit as an intermediary between the extra-high-voltage Vcc,H rail and the CI clamp transistor gates. The level-shifter translates the high Vcc,H voltage to appropriate gate voltages that stay within the transistor Vmax reliability limits, enabling the CI to operate under EHV conditions without compromising transistor reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the voltage parameter at the transistor gates through the level-shifter, converting the extra-high-voltage Vcc,H into safe gate drive voltages. This parameter transformation allows the CI clamp to source sufficient charge for effective droop mitigation while keeping all transistor voltages within their maximum allowable limits for reliability.
4Speed
If distributed charge injector blocks are implemented across the die, then response time is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the voltage regulation function into multiple identical, modular CI blocks that can be distributed across the die. Each block is a self-contained unit with detection and charge injection capabilities, making the system easier to design and implement despite the distributed architecture. The modularity offsets the complexity of distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs each CI block as a universal, multi-functional unit that can be replicated and distributed across different locations on the die. Each block performs both Vcc detection and charge injection functions locally, eliminating the need for separate detection and actuation circuits. This universality simplifies the overall design while enabling distributed deployment for fast local response.
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 CI scheme reduces Vcc droop by up to 50%, improving microprocessor performance and energy efficiency, and is applicable to both microprocessor cores and other IP blocks, with faster response times and reduced power consumption compared to traditional fully integrated voltage regulator (FIVR) techniques.
Implementation Method 1
a charge injector (CI) to enable localized mitigation of Vcc droop... transfer charge from the first power supply rail to the second power supply rail
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is provided which comprises: a first power supply rail to provide a first power supply voltage; a second power supply rail to provide a second power supply voltage, wherein the first power supply voltage is higher than the second power supply voltage; a first circuitry coupled to the first and second supply rails, wherein the first circuitry is to operate using the first supply voltage, and wherein the first circuitry is to inject charge on to the second power supply rail in response to a droop indication; and a second circuitry to detect voltage droop on the second power supply rail, wherein the second circuitry is to generate the droop indication for the first circuitry.