Configurable Charge Storage Network for Dynamic Power Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Charge storage devices, such as capacitors, are often oversized to handle peak power requirements, leading to increased manufacturing costs, power consumption, and longer charging times, as they need to maintain voltage output for varying circuit activity levels.
Innovation Solution
A configurable charge storage network and control system that adjusts capacitance and charging parameters based on the activity level of an integrated circuit using a context-based controller, which monitors supply and core voltage levels, as well as circuit activity, to optimize power delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If charge storage devices are oversized to handle peak power requirements, then power supply reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic capacitance adjustment by configuring multiple charge storage devices with different capacitance values and using control circuitry to selectively activate appropriate devices based on real-time power requirements. This resolves the contradiction by transitioning from static oversized capacitors to dynamic adaptive capacitance, maintaining reliability during peaks while reducing manufacturing cost through right-sized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the capacitance parameter dynamically by selecting from multiple charge storage devices with different capacitance values. The control circuitry monitors power requirements and adjusts the effective capacitance by enabling or disabling specific devices, thereby optimizing the balance between reliability and manufacturing cost without requiring a single oversized capacitor.
2Reliability
If charge storage devices are oversized to handle peak power requirements, then power supply reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic capacitance configuration where the system actively monitors power requirements and adjusts the capacitance of the charge storage network in real-time. During low-power periods, smaller capacitance devices are used, reducing leakage and charging overhead. During peak periods, larger capacitance devices are activated to maintain reliability, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial capacitance when full capacitance is not needed. By using multiple charge storage devices with different capacitance values and selectively activating only the necessary portion, the system avoids the excessive power consumption associated with continuously maintaining large capacitance while ensuring reliability is met during actual peak demands.
3Reliability
If charge storage devices are oversized to handle peak power requirements, then power supply reliability is improved, but charging time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the charge storage network into multiple charge storage devices with different capacitance values. This segmentation allows the system to use smaller capacitance devices for normal operation, which charge faster, and only activate larger capacitance devices when peak power is required. This resolves the contradiction by eliminating the need to continuously maintain large capacitance that would require prolonged charging times.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the capacitance configuration based on real-time power requirements. By transitioning from static to dynamic capacitance management, the system uses smaller, faster-charging devices during normal operation and scales up to larger devices only when necessary, thereby reducing overall charging time while maintaining power supply reliability during peak demands.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach minimizes area, power consumption, and charging time by dynamically adjusting capacitance and charging parameters according to the circuit's activity profile, reducing the need for oversized capacitors and associated overheads.
Implementation Method 1
Charge storage devices such as capacitors may be used to supply power to Integrated Circuit chips
Data Source
AI summary
A configurable charge storage network and control system provide a context-aware power network for a system including a circuit, the power network coupled to the circuit to provide a core voltage to the circuit; and a context-based controller that monitors a supply voltage level of a power supply, monitors a core voltage level of the core voltage, and monitors activity of the circuit to derive an activity level of the circuit; and based on the activity level of the circuit, adjusts a capacitance of the power network or charging parameters associated with the power network to correspond to a power requirement associated with the activity level.