Mode-Switched Clock Buffer Isolation for Lower Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional semiconductor devices with large clock buffers consume excessive power during high performance modes due to oversized buffers for higher frequencies and voltages, leading to increased power consumption and reduced battery life.
Innovation Solution
A configurable clock buffer system that includes first and second buffers and isolation circuitry, responsive to mode signals, allowing the buffers to adjust size based on operating modes, with the second buffer being isolated during high performance mode to reduce power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If large clock buffers are used to optimize performance at normal operating conditions, then clock signal delivery capability is improved, but power consumption increases significantly during high performance mode
Solution Approach 1:
The clock buffer system dynamically switches between two configurations: a first configuration with larger buffer capacity for normal operating conditions, and a second configuration with reduced buffer capacity for high performance mode. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to adapt its power consumption characteristics to match the actual operating requirements, reducing power consumption during high performance mode when the full buffer capacity is not needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The clock buffer is divided into multiple separable buffer stages that can be independently controlled. During high performance mode, certain buffer stages are deactivated or bypassed, effectively segmenting the buffer into an active portion and an inactive portion. This segmentation allows the system to reduce power consumption by disabling portions of the buffer that are not required for the current operating mode while maintaining the necessary clock signal delivery capability.
2Reliability
If clock buffer size is increased to ensure reliable operation at higher frequencies, then operational reliability is improved, but power consumption increases by twice as much or more
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the effective buffer size parameter based on the operating mode. During high performance mode, the buffer size is reduced to an optimal level that provides sufficient reliability for the required clock frequency without the excessive power consumption of the full-size buffer. The mode signal controls this parameter change by switching between different buffer configurations, ensuring that the buffer size is always appropriate for the current operating conditions.
3Productivity
If fixed-size large clock buffers are used in conventional configuration, then normal mode performance is optimized, but battery life is significantly impacted during regular high performance mode usage
Solution Approach 1:
The clock buffer system transitions from a static, fixed-size configuration to a dynamic, reconfigurable configuration that adapts to different performance requirements. By dynamically adjusting the buffer size and activation state based on the operating mode signal, the system maintains optimal performance during normal mode while significantly reducing power consumption during high performance mode, thereby extending battery life during regular usage that includes high performance operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A configurable clock buffer including first and second buffers and isolation circuitry. The first buffer has an input coupled to a clock input node and has an output coupled to a clock output node. The second buffer has an input coupled to an intermediate input node and has an output coupled to an intermediate output node. The isolation circuitry is responsive to at least one mode signal, in which it electrically couples the intermediate input node to the clock input node and electrically couples the intermediate output node to the clock output node when the at least one mode signal is in a first state, and in which it electrically couples the intermediate input node to a static node and electrically isolates the intermediate output node from the clock output node when the at least one mode signal is in a second state.