Distributed PMIC Synchronization via Master-Slave FSM
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current power management systems for electronic devices often require complex power sequencing and synchronization across multiple subsystems, which can lead to routing congestion and inefficiencies, especially when subsystems are physically distant, necessitating a more distributed and synchronized power management approach.
Innovation Solution
A distributed power management system comprising a master power management integrated circuit (PMIC) and one or more slave PMICs, where the master PMIC controls the power state and synchronizes the slave PMICs through synchronization information, allowing them to operate as a single integrated PMIC, reducing power supply track lengths and routing congestion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single integrated PMIC is used to power multiple subsystems, then power management control is centralized and simple, but routing congestion increases and power supply track lengths become excessive when subsystems are physically distant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single integrated PMIC into multiple distributed PMICs (master and slave), each located near specific subsystems they power. This segmentation reduces power supply track lengths and routing congestion while maintaining coordinated control through the master-slave architecture with synchronization mechanisms.
2Length of stationary object
If multiple distributed PMICs are used to reduce routing congestion, then power supply track lengths are reduced, but synchronization complexity and runtime conflicts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a master PMIC as an intermediary that coordinates and synchronizes multiple slave PMICs. The master PMIC receives power sequencing commands, determines optimal power states for each slave PMIC, and transmits synchronization information to them, thereby managing synchronization complexity centrally while enabling distributed power management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where slave PMICs transmit status information to the master PMIC, and the master PMIC adjusts synchronization information based on received status and power sequencing requirements. This feedback loop enables dynamic coordination and reduces runtime conflicts among distributed PMICs.
3Manufacturing precision
If power sequencing is tightly synchronized across multiple PMICs, then power management precision is improved, but power sequencing time increases due to coordination overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs preliminary action by having the master PMIC determine and prepare synchronization information for slave PMICs before actual power sequencing operations begin. The master PMIC analyzes power sequencing commands, subsystem power requirements, and status information in advance to pre-calculate optimal power states, thereby reducing coordination overhead during actual power transitions.
Data Source
AI summary
A distributed power management system comprising at least two power management integrated circuits PMICs is presented. A master power management integrated circuit PMIC supplies power to a subsystem of an electronic device based on a current state of a master finite state machine FSM executed by the master PMIC. A slave power management integrated circuit PMIC executes a slave finite state machine FSM and supplies power to another subsystem based on the current state of the master FSM. For synchronizing the operation of both PMIC, the master PMIC transmits, to the slave PMIC, synchronization information indicative of at least one of an input signal of the master FSM, a state of the master FSM, a state transition of the master FSM, and an output signal generated by the master FSM. A distributed power management method is presented which is carried out by a master PMIC and a slave PMIC.