Dual-Voltage I/O Circuit Control for Lower Power Semiconductors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Semiconductor apparatuses face challenges in reducing power consumption while maintaining high-speed data transmission and reception capabilities, as existing designs often require multiple voltage sources and complex voltage management systems to optimize performance.
Innovation Solution
The semiconductor apparatus incorporates a control circuit that detects and manages two distinct voltages, activating or deactivating data input/output circuits based on voltage levels, thereby optimizing power usage by enabling or disabling these circuits only when necessary, reducing power consumption without compromising data transfer speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If data input/output circuits are kept active to maintain high-speed data transmission, then data transfer speed is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the data input/output circuits switchable between active and inactive states based on operational requirements. The control circuit dynamically activates the data input/output circuits only when data transmission is needed, and deactivates them during idle periods, thereby maintaining high-speed capability when required while reducing power consumption during non-operational states.
2Device complexity
If voltage management systems are simplified to reduce complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but voltage control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a control circuit as an intermediary component that mediates between the power supply voltage and the data input/output circuits. This control circuit detects voltage levels and generates appropriate control signals to activate or deactivate the data input/output circuits, thereby providing precise voltage management without requiring complex voltage regulation systems throughout the entire apparatus.
3Use of energy by moving object
If data input/output circuits are deactivated to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but data transmission capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by alternating between active and inactive states of the data input/output circuits based on data transmission requirements. The control circuit periodically activates the circuits when data needs to be transmitted and deactivates them during idle periods, creating a rhythmic on-off pattern that balances power consumption with data transmission capability over time.
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor apparatus includes a data input and output (input/output) circuit configured to operate by receiving a first voltage, a core circuit configured operate by receiving a second voltage, and a control circuit configured to output a power control signal for activating the data input/output circuit when the first voltage is higher than a first set voltage and the second voltage is higher a second set voltage.