FPGA Region Power Control With State-Retention Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
As circuit densities increase, integrated circuits face challenges in power consumption, and existing technologies lack efficient methods to dynamically manage power states in arrays of interconnected configurable logic elements, leading to inefficiencies in power usage and performance.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a power controller formed by logic elements within the array, which generates power control signals to switch logic elements between various power states, including powered, state-retention, unpowered, configuration-retention, and clocked states, allowing for flexible power management and voltage scaling across regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If circuit density is increased to improve functionality, then the integrated circuit can perform more operations, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated circuit is divided into multiple regions, each with its own region controller that can independently control the power state of logic elements within that region. This segmentation allows different parts of the circuit to be powered down or clocked at different frequencies based on their specific needs, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining necessary functionality in active regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic power management by allowing region controllers to switch logic elements between different power states (powered, state-retention, unpowered) and different clocking frequencies based on real-time operational requirements. This dynamic adjustment enables the circuit to optimize power consumption while maintaining performance in active regions.
2Use of energy by moving object
If power states are dynamically managed to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency improves, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the circuit into regions with individual region controllers, the control complexity is distributed and localized rather than centralized. Each region controller manages only its own region's power states, simplifying the control logic at each node while achieving system-wide power optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
Region controllers are formed from logic elements within the array itself, allowing the circuit to self-manage its power states without requiring external control logic. This self-service approach reduces the need for complex external power management circuitry.
3Use of energy by moving object
If regions are powered down to save power, then power consumption decreases, but performance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches regions between different power states (powered, state-retention, unpowered) and clocking frequencies based on real-time operational demands. This allows the circuit to achieve significant power savings in inactive regions while maintaining full performance in regions that are actively processing data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters (power state, clocking frequency) of different regions independently to optimize the trade-off between power consumption and performance. Active regions operate at full power and frequency, while inactive regions are scaled down or powered off, achieving system-level optimization.
4Use of energy by moving object
If external voltage controllers are used to drive different portions of the array, then power management capability is provided, but device complexity and external dependencies increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power management functionality is extracted from external voltage controllers and integrated directly into the logic elements within the array. This eliminates the need for complex external power management circuitry and reduces external dependencies.
Solution Approach 2:
Logic elements within the array are configured to serve dual purposes: performing their primary logic functions and simultaneously acting as region controllers for power management. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated power management circuitry.
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated circuit (8) comprising an array (10) of interconnected configurable logic elements (12), such as an FPGA array, is provided. The logic elements are used to form a power controller (14) which separately controls the power state of different regions of the array. Each region of the array contains one or more logic elements. Each region has a corresponding region controller (16) responsive to one or more power signals generated by the power controller to switch that region into the requested power state.