Parallel MBVR and IVR Current Boost for Compute Die Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power delivery solutions for computing devices face challenges in efficiently supplying increasing current demands while maintaining efficiency and cost-effectiveness, particularly due to limitations in micro bump count and external motherboard voltage regulators (MBVRs) that degrade efficiency at higher currents and are slow to respond to transient load changes.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a second motherboard voltage regulator (MBVR) and an in-package Integrated Voltage Regulator (IVR) that operate in parallel with a first MBVR to supply power to a compute die, activating the IVR when the first MBVR's current exceeds a threshold, thereby enhancing system efficiency and increasing the maximum current capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a single external MBVR supplies all current to the compute die, then the device complexity is low, but the efficiency degrades at higher currents due to resistive path losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single voltage regulator function into multiple parallel voltage regulators (first MBVR and second MBVR). Each regulator supplies a portion of the total current to the compute die, thereby reducing the current through each individual regulator path and minimizing resistive path losses (I²R losses) in each path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple voltage regulator outputs in parallel to supply current to the compute die. The first MBVR and second MBVR are merged into a unified power delivery system that shares the total current load, improving overall efficiency while maintaining the required current capacity.
2Speed
If a single external MBVR is used, then the device complexity is low, but the response time to transient load changes is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the voltage regulation function across multiple parallel regulators, allowing each regulator to respond independently to transient load changes. This segmentation enables faster overall response time as the load can be dynamically adjusted by switching between or modulating the output of individual regulators.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic current sharing between the first MBVR and second MBVR based on instantaneous load conditions. The system can dynamically allocate current between the parallel regulators to optimize response time for transient events, with each regulator capable of rapid adjustment independent of the other.
3Power
If the first MBVR is sized to handle maximum current demands alone, then it can meet peak load requirements, but its size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the total current capacity requirement between two smaller voltage regulators instead of using one large regulator. Each MBVR is sized to handle a portion of the maximum current demand, reducing the size, cost, and complexity of each individual regulator while collectively meeting the peak load requirements through parallel operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the capacity of two smaller MBVRs to achieve the total current handling capability that would otherwise require a single large MBVR. This merging approach reduces the size and cost of individual components while maintaining the required power capacity through parallel current supply paths.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments herein relate to a stacked semiconductor structure which includes a first voltage regulator (VR), external to a package, for supplying current to a compute die in the package. When the required current exceeds a threshold, an additional current source is activated. The additional current source can include a second VR, also external to the package, for supplying current to an integrated voltage regulator (IVR) in the package. The IVR performs voltage down conversion and current multiplication to output a portion of the required current above the threshold, while the output of the first VR is capped at the threshold.