Interface Circuit Power Gating for Leakage Current Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional power gating techniques require extensive modifications to electronic devices to manage power consumption in integrated circuits, leading to increased complexity and inefficiency in reducing leakage current and overall power consumption.
Innovation Solution
An integrated circuit with an I/O interface and an interface circuit that provides a defined logic state to either a powered-down or external circuit block, allowing for independent power management of circuit blocks without the need for extensive external control logic, by translating and storing digital signals across different voltage domains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external power gating control logic is utilized to manage powered down circuit blocks, then defined logic states can be provided at I/O interfaces, but extensive modifications to the electronic device are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power gating control logic directly into the integrated circuit package, combining the interface circuit and control logic into a single integrated unit. This eliminates the need for separate external control logic and extensive device modifications, while still providing defined logic states at I/O interfaces when circuit blocks are powered down.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface circuit acts as an intermediary between the powered down circuit block and external circuitry. It automatically manages the logic state provision without requiring external control logic, serving as a self-contained mediator that handles the power gating control functions internally.
2Loss of energy
If power gating is integrated within a single integrated circuit, then power consumption can be reduced, but modifications to external electronic device components are still required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power management functionality into a self-contained integrated circuit package that includes both the circuit block and the interface circuit with control logic. This segmentation allows the power gating function to be implemented without requiring modifications to external device components, as the entire power management subsystem is enclosed within the integrated circuit package.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated circuit is designed to be self-sufficient for power management operations. The interface circuit and control logic within the package automatically handle the power gating functions and logic state provision without requiring external control or modifications to other device components, making the system easy to manufacture and integrate.
3Loss of energy
If circuit blocks are placed in low power state by switching off power, then leakage current is reduced, but I/O interfaces require external control logic to maintain defined logic states
Solution Approach 1:
The control logic for maintaining defined logic states is merged with the interface circuit within the integrated circuit package. This integration eliminates the need for separate external control logic while ensuring that defined logic states are properly provided at I/O interfaces when circuit blocks are in low power states.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface circuit serves as an intermediary that automatically manages logic state provision between powered down circuit blocks and external circuitry. It handles the control functions internally without requiring external control logic, while still ensuring defined logic states are maintained at I/O interfaces during power gating operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for managing power consumption in electronic devices. In certain embodiments, an integrated circuit for managing power consumption in an electronic device includes an input/output (I/O) interface, a first circuit block coupled to the I/O interface, and an interface circuit coupled between the I/O interface and the first circuit block, the interface circuit configured to provide a defined logic state to the first circuit block or a second circuit block external to the integrated circuit if one of the first circuit block or the second circuit block is powered down. By providing a defined logic state to the first circuit block or the second circuit block when one of the first circuit block or the second circuit block is powered down, power consumption of the electronic device may be reduced.