Hardware Clock Control Circuit for SoC IP Block Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current clock management in semiconductor systems is inefficient due to software-controlled clock signal control being slower than hardware control, leading to resource wastage and suboptimal operation of intellectual property blocks (IP blocks) in system-on-chip (SoC) devices.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor device with a master IP block and a slave IP block, where the clock control is managed through a clock management unit (CMU) using a channel management circuit to control clock sources, allowing for faster hardware-based control of clock signals and efficient power management by enabling clock stop and resume operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If software is used to control clock signal provision through special function registers, then the system can manage clock sources flexibly, but the control speed becomes slower compared to hardware control
Solution Approach 1:
The clock management system is segmented into multiple independent clock control circuits, each responsible for specific clock sources. This segmentation allows hardware-level control for speed-critical operations while maintaining overall system flexibility through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
Clock control circuits act as intermediary hardware components between the software (special function registers) and the clock sources. These intermediaries execute control operations in hardware, achieving fast response while the software maintains high-level control flexibility.
2Reliability
If clock signals are continuously provided to all IP blocks, then all blocks can operate without interruption, but resource wastage increases when some blocks are not in operation
Solution Approach 1:
The clock signal provision is made dynamic through individual clock control circuits that can independently enable or disable clock signals to each IP block based on operational requirements. This dynamic control eliminates waste during idle periods while ensuring continuity when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Each IP block is equipped with its own clock control circuit that can autonomously manage its clock signal based on the block's operational state, eliminating the need for continuous external control and reducing overall system resource consumption.
3Speed
If hardware control is used for clock signal management, then control speed is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional clock control circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The clock control circuits are designed as universal hardware modules that can manage multiple clock sources and serve multiple IP blocks. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of control circuits needed, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining fast hardware control speed.
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor device includes a first intellectual property block (IP block) which includes a function unit and an interface unit; a first clock control circuit which controls a first clock source; a second clock control circuit which transmits a first clock request to the first clock control circuit, and controls a second clock source which receives a clock signal from the first clock source; and a channel management circuit configured to transmit a second clock request to the second clock control circuit in response to a clock stop request received from the first IP block; wherein the function unit controls an operation of the first IP block, and the interface unit receives a first signal provided from a second IP block electrically connected to the first IP block and provides the first signal to the function unit.