Hardware Clock Control Circuit for IP Block Sleep State Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
The control of clock signals in semiconductor systems using software is slow, leading to inefficiencies in resource management, particularly when IP blocks need to transition between operational and sleep states.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor device with a first clock control circuit that generates a stopped clock signal in response to a block clock request from an IP block, and a driver circuit that outputs a block control signal while the stopped clock signal is active, allowing for hardware-based control of clock sources to efficiently manage clock signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If software is used to control clock sources in the CMU, then the system can manage clock signals to IP blocks, but the control speed is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces software-based clock control with a hardware-based clock management unit (CMU) that autonomously manages clock signals. The CMU includes clock sources, multiplexers, and gating circuits that can quickly enable/disable clock signals to IP blocks without software intervention, thereby achieving fast control speed and improved resource management efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The clock management unit operates autonomously to manage clock distribution without requiring continuous software control. The CMU can independently detect when an IP block needs clock signals and automatically enable/disable appropriate clock sources, achieving self-service operation that speeds up the control process and improves system productivity.
2Productivity
If the CMU provides clock signals to all IP blocks, then all blocks can operate, but resources are wasted when blocks are not in operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements selective clock distribution where the CMU provides clock signals only to specific IP blocks that are currently in operation or need to be activated. The multiplexer and gating circuits enable the system to locally enable clock signals to individual blocks based on their operational status, thereby avoiding resource waste in inactive blocks while maintaining system operation capability where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The clock management system dynamically adjusts clock signal distribution based on the operational state of IP blocks. The CMU can quickly enable or disable clock signals to different blocks as their operational requirements change, creating a dynamic clock distribution system that optimizes resource usage by providing clocks only when and where needed, rather than continuously to all blocks.
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor device includes a first clock control circuit for controlling a first clock source; a second clock control circuit for sending a first clock request to the first clock control circuit in response to a block clock request from an intellectual property (IP) block, and controlling a second clock source, which receives a clock signal from the first clock source, to generate a stopped clock signal, which is a clock signal turned off for a predetermined amount of time; and a driver circuit for receiving a block control signal, and outputting the block control signal to the IP block while the short stopped clock signal is output to the IP block.