Adaptive Clock Gating for Fast Frequency Scaling Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clock signal frequency adjustment methods in integrated circuits rely on software-based solutions with slow response times and require multiple phase locked loops or divider circuits, leading to inefficient power management, especially at smaller scales like 40 nm and below, where clock tree power consumption is significantly high.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of adaptive frequency scaling circuitry that dynamically adjusts clock signal frequency based on operating conditions using hardware-based control, allowing for immediate response and finer granularity, with a single phase locked loop and clock gating circuitry to generate dynamic and fixed clock signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If software-based control is used to adjust clock signal frequency, then power consumption is reduced, but response time becomes slow and performance may drop in fast changing scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces software-based control with a hardware-based clock frequency adjustment mechanism. The clock frequency adjustment circuit directly modifies the clock signal frequency in response to performance degradation detection, eliminating the slow software intervention loop. This hardware substitution enables immediate frequency adjustment without software processing delays, resolving the contradiction between power saving and fast response.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple phase locked loops or divider circuits are used to generate different clock frequencies, then frequency adjustment capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a single phase-locked loop (PLL) that can dynamically generate multiple clock frequencies through programmable division ratios. This single multi-functional PLL replaces what would traditionally require multiple dedicated PLLs or complex divider circuits, achieving full frequency adjustment capability while minimizing device complexity. The PLL's ability to be reconfigured for different frequencies provides universal functionality without proportional increases in hardware complexity.
3Use of energy by moving object
If clock signal frequency is reduced to optimize power consumption, then power consumption decreases, but device performance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic clock frequency adjustment where the system continuously monitors for performance degradation and automatically adjusts the clock frequency in real-time. Rather than using a static low frequency for power saving, the system dynamically transitions between frequency states based on actual performance needs. This dynamic approach ensures power optimization during normal operation while maintaining high performance capability when performance degradation is detected, resolving the contradiction between power consumption and device performance.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and circuitries are disclosed generating a dynamic clock signal having a dynamic clock signal frequency for a data processing system from an input clock signal having an input clock signal frequency. In one example, adaptive frequency scaling circuitry includes scaling control circuitry and clock gating circuitry. The scaling control circuitry includes hardware configured to receive a performance indicator value indicative of an operating parameter of the data processing system and select a dynamic clock gating control value based at least on the performance indicator value. The clock gating circuitry is configured to receive the dynamic clock gating control value, and in response, selectively gate the input clock signal based on the dynamic clock gating control value to generate the dynamic clock signal.