On-Die Offset Reference Circuit for Voltage Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing integrated circuits relying on motherboard-supplied reference voltage for voltage-referenced standards face limitations in adapting to component-specific voltage margins, leading to potential incompatibility and reduced effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

An integrated circuit with an offset reference circuit block that receives an external reference voltage and outputs an offset reference voltage, allowing for voltage adjustments to accommodate specific component needs while maintaining platform cohesion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a common reference voltage from the motherboard is used for all components, then platform compatibility is maintained, but component-specific optimization is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent-specific voltage adaptationVSAvoidreference voltage system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reference voltage system is segmented into a common platform reference voltage source and individual component-specific offset reference circuits. Each processing node or I/O buffer has its own offset circuit that segments the voltage adjustment function, allowing independent optimization without affecting other components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each component receives a customized reference voltage with specific offset characteristics tailored to its local requirements. The offset reference circuit provides local quality adjustment by adding component-specific voltage offsets to the common reference voltage, enabling each component to operate at its optimal voltage margin.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Speed

If voltage-referenced standards with smaller voltage swings are used, then data transfer speeds increase, but compatibility with existing reference voltage systems decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer speedVSAvoidreference voltage compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The reference voltage parameters are changed by introducing adjustable voltage offsets that allow the system to adapt to different voltage-referenced standards. The offset reference circuit enables dynamic parameter adjustment of the reference voltage to match the specific requirements of different I/O standards while maintaining compatibility with the existing motherboard reference voltage system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If components are forced to adapt to a common reference voltage, then system simplicity is maintained, but component performance and compatibility are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem configuration simplicityVSAvoidcomponent compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Each component performs self-service voltage optimization through its own offset reference circuit. The circuit automatically adjusts the reference voltage for that specific component based on its individual requirements, eliminating the need for manual system-wide configuration while ensuring each component operates at optimal compatibility and performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS7417459B2On-die offset reference circuit block

Publication Date: 2008.08.26 INTEL CORP

AI summary

A method and apparatus for an integrated circuit having a offset reference circuit block to receive an external voltage reference and output an offset reference voltage are described herein.