Microcontroller Power Domain Management for Leakage Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
As semiconductor devices shrink, power consumption increases due to larger leakage currents, and existing techniques for reducing power in microcontrollers and microprocessors are inefficient, particularly in managing power across multiple regions or domains within these devices.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a power management module that selectively controls power application to independently powered regions or 'power domains' using switching elements, a scheduler, and a power watchdog, allowing for timed power-on and power-off sequences to minimize overall power consumption and thermal budgets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If semiconductor devices are shrunk to reduce size, then device dimensions are reduced, but power consumption increases due to larger leakage currents
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple independently powered regions or power domains, each capable of being powered on or off independently. This segmentation allows the system to reduce power consumption by powering down inactive regions while maintaining functionality in active regions, directly addressing the leakage current issue in shrunk semiconductor devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The power management module implements periodic or on-demand power cycling of regions based on activity requirements. Regions are powered on when needed and powered off when inactive, creating a periodic power application pattern that reduces overall power consumption and leakage effects in scaled-down devices.
2Use of energy by moving object
If power is removed from inactive circuit portions to reduce leakage, then power consumption is reduced, but device functionality is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the device into independent power domains, the system can selectively power only the regions needed for current operations. This ensures that power removal from inactive portions does not compromise overall functionality, as active regions remain powered and operational.
Solution Approach 2:
The power management system dynamically adjusts power application to regions based on real-time activity requirements. Regions are powered on or off according to their current operational needs, ensuring that functionality is maintained where required while reducing power consumption where not needed.
3Use of energy by moving object
If clock signals are gated to reduce power in inactive portions, then power consumption is reduced, but system responsiveness is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of gating clock signals throughout the device, the system segments power application at the regional level. This allows clock signals to continue flowing to active regions without interruption, maintaining system responsiveness while reducing power consumption in inactive regions through selective power removal.
4Productivity
If multiple regions are powered independently, then power management efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power management module serves multiple functions: it controls power distribution to individual regions, monitors power consumption, manages power transitions, and coordinates region activation. This multi-functional approach consolidates complexity into a single management unit rather than distributing control logic throughout the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The power management module acts as an intermediary between the power supply and various device regions. It mediates power distribution, handling the complexity of independent region control while presenting a simplified interface to both the power source and the device regions, thereby managing complexity centrally.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device, typically a microcontroller, which is divided into a multiplicity of power domains comprising one or more intelligent peripherals, is provided with an on-board power management module for switching power to one or more domains for pre-determined time periods and in a predetermined sequence. The values of the predetermined time periods and sequence may be pre-programmed by the design engineer or user of the device. In one example, power is switched to domains in a round robin fashion. An optional interrupt capability permits selective application of power to a dormant intelligent peripheral requesting it at the expense of others and based on a priority scheme. Consumption of current supplied to power domains may be monitored by a power watchdog or alternatively via a dedicated power monitor associated with each intelligent peripheral. The invention helps to reduce device power consumption without any associated reduction in processing performance.