Integrated Circuit Performance Upgrade via Remote Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current integrated circuits are priced and committed to specific performance levels, leading to unnecessary costs when additional performance is required in the future, as predicting future performance needs is difficult and often results in over-purchasing or discarding processors.
Innovation Solution
A method and system to remotely configure integrated circuit performance after fabrication, allowing for the unlocking of dormant capabilities based on user demand, with options for one-time or limited-time performance increases, enabling flexible performance upgrades without physical changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If processors are binned and locked to specific performance levels during fabrication, then manufacturing and pricing can be simplified, but future performance upgrades become impossible and over-purchasing occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the processor performance level changeable over time. Processors are manufactured with higher performance capabilities than initially activated, allowing the performance level to be dynamically adjusted from a lower initial state to a higher unlocked state through remote authorization, resolving the contradiction between simplified manufacturing and future adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring processors with dormant performance capabilities during fabrication before they are deployed to customers. The full performance potential is prepared in advance but kept locked, enabling future activation without requiring physical manufacturing changes, thus maintaining ease of manufacture while enabling future upgrades
2Reliability
If customers purchase processors at higher performance levels to ensure future needs, then performance requirements may be met, but unnecessary costs are incurred when additional performance is not needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables customers to start with a lower performance level and dynamically upgrade when needed, rather than statically over-provisioning. This dynamic approach ensures performance requirements are met when they actually occur while avoiding unnecessary initial spending, resolving the contradiction between reliability and cost efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the performance parameter of the processor from a fixed state at purchase to a variable state that can be adjusted through remote authorization. Customers can change the performance level parameter from low to high based on actual needs, avoiding the waste of purchasing and paying for performance that will never be used
3Speed
If processors are upgraded by purchasing new hardware, then performance can be increased, but cost and time for replacement are incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical system of processor hardware replacement with an electronic/software-based system. Performance upgrades are achieved through remote authorization and configuration changes rather than physical installation of new hardware, eliminating the time and effort required for hardware upgrades while maintaining performance improvements
Data Source
AI summary
A method for providing an integrated circuit with an option of increasing performance after fabrication is disclosed. The method includes performing a performance increase operation which increases the performance of the integrated circuit from a first performance level to a second performance level after the integrated circuit is fabricated.