Dynamic Power Supply Switching for DVFS Voltage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Dynamic Voltage Frequency Scaling (DVFS) methods face limitations in flexibility and cost due to the need for dedicated power supply units for each power domain, leading to over-dimensioning and increased complexity in System on Chip (SoC) designs, especially for components with varying power requirements.
Innovation Solution
A system with multiple controllable power supply units and a centralized controlling unit that dynamically switches between them based on the operating points of power domains, optimizing voltage delivery to match the required voltage levels of each domain without the need for dedicated units per domain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a dedicated power supply unit is assigned to each power domain, then each domain can receive precise voltage control, but the system complexity and cost increase significantly due to the high number of regulator means and pins
Solution Approach 1:
A single power supply unit is designed to serve multiple power domains by dynamically switching its output connections. The power supply unit can provide different voltage levels (first voltage level and second voltage level) to different domains at different times, making one unit perform the function of multiple dedicated units. This reduces the total number of power supply units while maintaining precise voltage control for each domain.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches the connection between the power supply unit and different power domains based on their current operating requirements. When a power domain needs a specific voltage level, the switching mechanism connects that domain to the power supply unit. This dynamic allocation allows one power supply unit to serve multiple domains with different voltage requirements at different times, reducing overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If power supply units are dimensioned to support all connected entities, then all entities can be supplied, but the power supply units become over-dimensioned leading to extra silicon area
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of dimensioning power supply units to handle the maximum possible load from all domains simultaneously, the system uses dynamic switching to allocate the single power supply unit's capacity to different domains at different times. The power supply unit is dimensioned for a smaller capacity but can serve multiple domains sequentially, reducing the required silicon area while maintaining reliable supply coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply unit operates in periodic cycles, serving one power domain at a time by switching between different domains based on their operational needs. This periodic allocation allows the power supply unit to be smaller in capacity since it doesn't need to support all domains simultaneously, thereby reducing silicon area while ensuring each domain receives adequate power when needed.
3Device complexity
If fixed voltage power supplies (Vhigh and Vlow) are used, then the system is simpler, but the flexibility to adapt to different entity requirements is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply unit incorporates voltage control mechanisms that allow it to dynamically adjust its output voltage between a first voltage level and a second voltage level. This parameter change capability enables the single power supply unit to adapt to different voltage requirements of various power domains, providing the flexibility of multiple voltage supplies while maintaining the simplicity of having only one physical power supply unit.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for delivering a voltage to at least one power domain has at least one component. Each power domain functions according to at least two operating points, each operating point requiring a distinct supply voltage. The system includes at least two power supply units, alternatively delivering controllable supply voltages. The system also includes a control unit that selects one of the power supply units to be connected to a power domain, based on a current operating point of the power domain. The control unit also controls the supply voltage delivered by the selected power supply unit, to deliver the required voltage level associated with the current operating point of the power domain.