Hardware Operating Point Controller for IC Power Domain Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current System-on-a-Chip designs face challenges in optimizing power consumption, as communication networks between functional blocks remain powered on even when other blocks are in a sleep mode, leading to inefficiencies in power management.
Innovation Solution
An Operating Point Controller (OPC) is introduced to manage power, clock, and frequency domains by setting resource states and identifying events to initiate transitions between operating points, allowing for hardware-based, logic-implemented power management that coordinates transitions between different circuit regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If functional blocks are switched off to achieve power reduction, then power consumption is reduced, but communication networks between functional blocks remain powered on causing inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments power management into independent power domains, where each domain can be independently controlled. The communication network is divided into separate power domains that can be switched off independently when not needed, allowing functional blocks to be powered down without keeping the entire communication infrastructure active.
Solution Approach 2:
The power management system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring power domains and establishing control logic that automatically manages power states. The system proactively transitions domains between active and low-power states based on predicted or detected usage patterns, rather than reactively managing power after blocks are switched off.
2Speed
If hardware-based operating point controller is implemented, then transition speed and autonomy are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hardware-based operating point controller implements self-service by autonomously managing transitions between operating points without requiring software intervention. The controller monitors system conditions, detects when transitions are needed, and executes the transitions automatically, making the system self-managing and eliminating the need for external software control.
Solution Approach 2:
The operating point controller acts as an intermediary between the power management system and the functional blocks. It translates high-level power management decisions into specific control signals for voltage regulators, clock generators, and other power control components, simplifying the overall system architecture by centralizing control logic.
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, an operating point controller for two or more circuit regions in an integrated circuit is discussed. The OPC is configured to both i) set a resource state, including operating voltage and operating frequency, for each of those circuit regions, and ii) identify events to initiate transitions between two or more operating points for a given circuit region. The operating point controller is also configured to manage transitions between operating points for the two or more circuit regions on the integrated circuit. The operating point controller is a hardware based machine implemented in logic rather than software operating on a CPU processor.