Clock Supply Control for Synchronized Voltage-Frequency Switching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic circuit supply systems face challenges in adapting clock frequency and voltage to optimize energy consumption while maintaining performance, particularly in GALS architectures, where response time to frequency changes is not adequately synchronized with voltage adjustments, leading to potential operating faults.
Innovation Solution
A supply device with a frequency actuator and voltage actuator that utilize a regulation mechanism and adaptation module to adjust the response time based on the direction of frequency changes, ensuring synchronized voltage and frequency adjustments to prevent faults during frequency increases and decreases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the clock frequency is increased to improve performance, then the processing speed increases, but the response time synchronization between frequency and voltage actuators deteriorates, leading to potential operating faults
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic response time adjustment by modifying the regulation mechanism's characteristics based on the direction of frequency variation. The adaptation module detects whether frequency is increasing or decreasing and dynamically adjusts the response time of the frequency actuator accordingly, ensuring synchronization with the voltage actuator across different operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the regulation mechanism based on the frequency variation direction. The adaptation module modifies control parameters such as proportional and integral gains in the PID controller depending on whether the frequency is increasing or decreasing, thereby optimizing the response time and maintaining synchronization between actuators.
2Reliability
If the response time of the frequency actuator is increased to improve synchronization, then the reliability improves, but the productivity decreases due to slower frequency adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the response time characteristic based on the operation phase. During frequency increases, a longer response time is used to ensure synchronization, while during frequency decreases, a shorter response time is applied to maintain productivity, thus adapting the system behavior to operational needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The adaptation module periodically monitors the frequency variation direction and adjusts the regulation mechanism parameters accordingly. This periodic adaptation ensures that the system maintains optimal synchronization accuracy while minimizing unnecessary delays in frequency adjustment.
3Device complexity
If a fixed regulation mechanism is used to simplify the system, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different frequency settings deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The adaptation module automatically detects the frequency variation direction and adjusts the regulation mechanism parameters without external intervention. This self-service capability provides adaptability to different frequency settings while maintaining a relatively simple overall system structure, as the adaptation occurs autonomously within the existing control architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes internal parameters of the regulation mechanism based on operating conditions rather than requiring structural modifications. The adaptation module modifies control parameters such as gains and time constants depending on the frequency variation direction, providing versatility without significantly increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for supplying an electronic circuit with a clock signal having a dock frequency includes a frequency actuator that generates the clock signal in accordance with a frequency setting according to a regulation mechanism. A control module selectively applies to the frequency actuator a first frequency setting or a second frequency setting that is higher than the first setting. An adaptation module modifies the regulation mechanism in accordance with the applied setting.