Integrated Voltage Regulator Module Layout for Compact SoC Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing integrated circuit designs face challenges in efficiently generating multiple power supply voltage levels for different functional units within a System-on-a-Chip (SoC), as the manufacturing processes for passive components like inductors and capacitors are not well suited for integration with SoCs, leading to separate fabrication and increased package footprint.
Innovation Solution
A system package is developed that integrates a voltage regulator module with passive circuit elements, including inductors and capacitors, using a semiconductor manufacturing process, and connects them through an interconnect region to a voltage regulator controller die, allowing for efficient generation and distribution of regulated power supply within a common package.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If passive components (inductors and capacitors) are manufactured separately from the SoC, then the fabrication process can accommodate different processing steps and materials, but the package footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the voltage regulator module (containing passive components like inductors and capacitors) with the SoC into a single integrated package. This combination allows different processing steps and materials to be accommodated while minimizing the overall package footprint through unified packaging architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage regulator module is nested within the same package as the SoC, with passive components arranged in a compact configuration around the regulator. This nesting approach enables efficient space utilization while maintaining the ability to use different fabrication processes for each component type.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple voltage levels are generated within the SoC, then different functional units can operate at optimal voltages, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is segmented into multiple voltage regulator modules, each dedicated to generating a specific voltage level for particular functional units. This segmentation simplifies the overall design by creating modular, independent voltage generation circuits rather than a single complex multi-output regulator.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage regulator module acts as an intermediary between the power source and the SoC functional units, providing voltage conversion and regulation. This intermediary component simplifies the power distribution architecture by centralizing voltage regulation functions in dedicated modules rather than distributing complex regulation across the entire SoC.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems including voltage regulator circuits are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a voltage regulator controller integrated circuit (IC) die including one or more portions of a voltage regulator circuit. The apparatus further includes a capacitor die, an inductor die, and an interconnect layer arranged over the voltage regulator controller IC die, the capacitor die and the inductor die. The interconnect provides electrical connections between the voltage regulator controller IC die, the capacitor die and the inductor die to form the voltage regulator circuit. In a further embodiment, the voltage regulator controller IC die, the capacitor die and the inductor die are arranged in a planar fashion within a voltage regulator module. In still another embodiment, a system IC is coupled to the voltage regulator module and includes one or more functional circuit blocks coupled to receive a regulated supply voltage generated by the voltage regulator circuit.