Oscillator Circuit Power Switching for Memory Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing circuit devices lack an effective method for performing appropriate power supply control on both nonvolatile and volatile memories, especially when power consumption needs to be minimized.
Innovation Solution
A circuit device is designed with an oscillation circuit, a control circuit, separate power supply lines for nonvolatile and volatile memories, and a power supply switch circuit that controls the switching of power supply voltages to these memories.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If power supply voltage is supplied to both nonvolatile memory and volatile memory continuously, then data retention and operational reliability are maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is segmented into two independent power supply lines: a first power supply line for nonvolatile memory and a second power supply line for volatile memory. This segmentation allows independent control of power supply to each memory type, enabling the system to cut power to volatile memory while maintaining power to nonvolatile memory for data retention, thus reducing overall power consumption while preserving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply switch circuit dynamically switches between different power supply states based on operational requirements. It can transition from supplying power to both memories, to supplying power only to nonvolatile memory, to supplying no power at all. This dynamic control allows the system to adapt power consumption levels while maintaining data retention capability through the nonvolatile memory.
2Loss of energy
If power supply voltage is cut to volatile memory to reduce leakage current, then power consumption decreases, but operational capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
Before cutting power to the volatile memory, the system performs preliminary actions by transferring necessary data from volatile memory to nonvolatile memory through the data bus. This preliminary data transfer ensures that critical information is preserved in the nonvolatile memory before the volatile memory is powered down, maintaining operational capability when power is restored.
Solution Approach 2:
The nonvolatile memory acts as an intermediary storage medium between the volatile memory and permanent storage. When volatile memory is powered down to reduce leakage current, the nonvolatile memory maintains data temporarily, allowing the system to restore operation by reloading data from nonvolatile memory without permanent data loss or operational disruption.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate power supply lines are used for nonvolatile and volatile memories, then independent power control is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply switch circuit is designed with multi-functionality to manage both power supply lines independently. It can simultaneously control power distribution to nonvolatile memory and volatile memory, providing universal power management capability that handles multiple operational modes (both memories powered, only nonvolatile powered, neither powered) through a single integrated control mechanism, thereby reducing the complexity increase from separate power lines.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration allows for efficient power management by switching power supply voltages to minimize leakage current and power consumption, while ensuring continuous operation of critical components.
Implementation Method 1
an oscillation circuit configured to generate a clock signal by oscillating a resonator
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit device includes an oscillation circuit, a control circuit, a first power supply line, a second power supply line, a nonvolatile memory, a volatile memory, and a power supply switch circuit. The oscillation circuit generates a clock signal by oscillating a resonator. The control circuit performs a real-time clock process based on the clock signal. The nonvolatile memory operates at a first power supply voltage from the first power supply line. The volatile memory operates at a second power supply voltage from the second power supply line. The power supply switch circuit performs control of switching between supply and non-supply of the first power supply voltage to the first power supply line and control of switching between supply and non-supply of the second power supply voltage to the second power supply line.