Dynamic Voltage Regulation Circuitry for Thermal-Constrained ICs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated circuit devices face challenges in managing thermal power budgets due to increased power dissipation from internal voltage regulators at high frequencies, leading to overheating and the need for costly external regulators with coarse regulation, limiting achievable operating frequencies.
Innovation Solution
An integrated circuit device with a voltage regulation circuitry that includes an internal voltage regulator and a power control module, which dynamically adjusts the configuration based on available thermal power budgets and conditional indications such as process corner, temperature, and system activity levels, allowing for more accurate voltage regulation and reduced reliance on external regulators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an internal voltage regulator is used on-chip, then voltage regulation accuracy is improved, but thermal power dissipation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching between internal and external voltage regulators based on operating conditions. The power management module monitors system state and dynamically configures the voltage regulation architecture, enabling the system to use the internal regulator when thermal budget allows and switch to external regulator when thermal limits are approached, thus resolving the contradiction between regulation accuracy and thermal dissipation
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the voltage regulation system by adjusting switching thresholds and operational modes based on temperature, frequency, and power consumption conditions. This allows optimization of the balance between voltage regulation precision and thermal power dissipation under different operating scenarios
2Loss of energy
If an external voltage regulator is used, then thermal power dissipation is reduced, but voltage regulation accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a power management module as an intermediary that coordinates between internal and external voltage regulators. This mediator monitors system conditions and intelligently switches between regulation sources, ensuring that external regulators are used only when necessary for thermal management, thereby minimizing the impact on voltage regulation accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the voltage regulation architecture based on real-time conditions, switching from external to internal regulation as thermal conditions improve or frequency requirements increase, thus recovering voltage regulation accuracy when the operational context permits
3Speed
If internal voltage regulator operates at high frequency, then operating frequency is improved, but thermal power budget is exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements frequency-dependent dynamic switching where the power management module monitors operating frequency and thermal conditions simultaneously. When high operating frequencies are required but thermal budget is constrained, the system dynamically switches to external voltage regulation, enabling high-frequency operation without exceeding thermal limits
4Ease of manufacture
If external voltage regulator with coarse regulation is used, then cost is reduced, but achievable operating frequency is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between external and internal voltage regulators based on frequency requirements. During high-frequency operation, the system activates the internal regulator despite its higher cost implication, while using the simpler external regulator during low-frequency operation, thus achieving high operating frequencies when needed while maintaining cost-effectiveness during normal operation
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated circuit (IC) device is provided that includes at least one internal voltage regulator arranged to receive a voltage supply signal at a first input thereof, receive a control signal at a second input thereof, regulate the received voltage supply signal in accordance with the received control signal, and provide a regulated voltage supply signal at an output thereof. The IC device further includes at least one voltage regulation power control module operably coupled to the second input of the at least one internal voltage regulator and arranged to provide the control signal thereto. The voltage regulation power control module is further arranged to receive at least one IC device conditional indication, and generate the control signal for the at least one internal voltage regulator based at least partly on an available thermal power budget for the IC device corresponding to the at least one IC device conditional indication.