On-Demand Clock Generation for Low-Power IC Digital Blocks
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Solution Overview
Problem
In low power microcontrollers, conventional clock generator circuits continue to produce clock signals even when they are not needed by digital blocks, leading to unnecessary power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A clock generator circuit that dynamically starts and stops internal clocks based on demand from digital blocks, using a system with a clock controller, clock sources, clock consumers, clock enable circuits, and gating mechanisms to route and manage clock signals efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional clock generator circuits continue to produce clock signals continuously, then clock signals are always available for digital blocks, but power consumption increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The clock generator circuit transitions from a static continuous operation mode to a dynamic on-demand mode, where the clock signal generation is actively controlled based on real-time demand from digital blocks. The clock controller receives demand signals and dynamically adjusts the clock generation state, allowing the system to adapt its operation to actual needs and eliminate unnecessary power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where digital blocks send clock demand signals to the clock controller, which then adjusts clock signal generation accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that clock signals are generated only when needed, with the controller continuously monitoring demand and adjusting supply to match actual requirements, thereby reducing wasted energy.
2Use of energy by moving object
If clock signals are generated on demand only, then power consumption is reduced, but clock signal availability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The clock controller is positioned to receive clock demand signals before the digital blocks actually need the clock signals. This advance notification allows the controller to prepare and generate clock signals in time, ensuring availability when needed while avoiding continuous generation. The preliminary action of receiving demand signals early enables timely clock signal provision without waste.
Solution Approach 2:
Digital blocks autonomously generate clock demand signals based on their own operational needs, without requiring continuous external clock provision. Each block serves its own clocking requirements by actively requesting clocks only when necessary, and the clock controller responds to these self-generated demands, creating a self-regulating system that balances availability and power consumption.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a clock generator circuit is designed to stop and start clocks dynamically, then power consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clock controller serves multiple functions: receiving clock demand signals from digital blocks, determining whether to generate clock signals based on those demands, and routing clock signals to appropriate destinations. This multi-functional design consolidates what could be separate complex components into a single controller, managing the increased functionality through integration rather than proliferation of separate circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The clock controller acts as an intermediary between digital blocks and clock generation circuitry, managing the complexity of dynamic clock control by centralizing decision-making logic in a single component. This intermediary role simplifies the overall system architecture compared to having each digital block independently control its own clock generation, as the controller handles all clock management decisions in one location.
Data Source
AI summary
A clock generation system for an integrated circuit (IC) chip (e.g., a microcontroller) is disclosed that allows digital blocks and other components in the IC chip to start and stop internal clocks dynamically on demand to reduce power consumption.