Clock Signal Latency Adjustment for IC Voltage Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated circuits face significant challenges in managing supply voltage noise and voltage ripple due to high data rates and clock signal frequencies, leading to instability and potential functional failures, particularly in power distribution networks where large decoupling capacitors are costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The latency of the clock signal is adjusted to reduce the peak voltage drop in the supply voltage by estimating the peak current drawn by circuit blocks and implementing latency adjustments through clock networks, thereby reducing the target impedance of the power distribution network and minimizing voltage ripple.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high data rates and clock signal frequencies are used to increase productivity, then data transmission speed is improved, but supply voltage noise and voltage ripple increase causing instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by adjusting the clock signal latency before the peak current occurs. The system estimates the peak current timing and proactively adjusts the clock latency to distribute current draw, preventing the voltage drop before it happens. This is achieved through monitoring supply voltage and modifying clock signal timing in advance to avoid simultaneous switching of multiple circuit blocks.
2Reliability
If large decoupling capacitors are used to reduce supply voltage noise, then supply voltage stability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the clock signal latency parameter to control current draw timing. Instead of changing the physical power distribution network components like decoupling capacitors, the system changes the temporal parameter of clock signal delivery to distribute peak current events, thereby reducing voltage noise without adding hardware complexity.
3Reliability
If clock signal latency is adjusted to reduce peak current draw, then supply voltage stability is improved, but clock signal timing precision may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the clock signal latency adjustable rather than fixed. The system dynamically modifies the clock latency based on real-time supply voltage conditions and estimated peak current timing, allowing the clock network to adapt its timing characteristics to optimize both voltage stability and timing precision under different operating conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated circuit includes circuit blocks, a clock network coupled to the circuit blocks, and a supply voltage network coupled to the circuit blocks. Each of the circuit blocks comprises at least one clocked circuit that receives a clock signal. The clock network provides the clock signal to the clocked circuits in the circuit blocks. The supply voltage network provides a supply voltage to the circuit blocks. A latency of the clock signal provided through the clock network to at least one of the circuit blocks is adjusted to decrease a peak voltage drop in the supply voltage caused by a peak current drawn by the circuit blocks.