IC Power Management Switching Between 3.3V and 2.5V Supplies
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The elevated 3.3 volt supply voltage in Stratix II GX field programmable gate arrays increases power consumption and costs, particularly in systems with low data rates that do not require high performance jitter, necessitating a more flexible power management system.
Innovation Solution
A power management system utilizing a first and second switch to provide current from different supply voltages (VCCA and VCCB) to circuit blocks, with active filtration to reduce noise and allow configuration for reduced power consumption by switching between the supply voltages based on requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an elevated 3.3 volt supply voltage is used to provide headroom for analog circuits, then performance and jitter requirements are satisfied, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic voltage selection by providing multiple supply voltage options (3.3V and 2.5V) and enabling the system to switch between them based on operational requirements. Each analog circuit can be individually configured to receive different voltage levels, allowing the system to adapt power consumption to actual performance needs rather than operating at fixed elevated voltage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different supply voltages to different analog circuits or circuit blocks within the same system. By allowing individual configuration of each circuit block's supply voltage, the system provides localized power management where high-performance circuits receive 3.3V while less demanding circuits operate on 2.5V, optimizing overall power consumption.
2Reliability
If an elevated 3.3 volt supply voltage is used, then high performance jitter requirements are satisfied, but customer system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables dynamic configuration of supply voltage levels, allowing the system to operate at lower 2.5V when high performance is not required, thereby reducing customer system cost. The ability to switch between voltage modes lets customers pay only for the performance level they actually need.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the supply voltage parameter from a fixed 3.3V to a selectable parameter that can be 3.3V or 2.5V. This parameter change allows customers to optimize their system cost by selecting the appropriate voltage level based on their specific data rate and jitter requirements.
3Reliability
If individual regulators operate from elevated supply voltage to provide headroom, then analog circuit performance is improved, but power consumption and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal power management architecture where a single power management system can serve multiple analog circuit blocks with different power requirements. The same switch matrix and control logic handle all voltage routing decisions, simplifying the overall system compared to having separate complex regulation circuits for each block.
Data Source
AI summary
A power management system on an integrated circuit can include a first switch and a second switch. A regulator circuit provides current from a first supply voltage to a circuit block when the first switch is closed. The second switch provides current from a second supply voltage to the circuit block when the second switch is closed.