Peak Power Manager Circuit for Transient Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power management techniques in processing units, such as dynamic frequency and voltage scaling, are inefficient as they take longer than required to control power, which can lead to issues with transient support and increased heat generation in devices like mobile devices.
Innovation Solution
A static peak power manager that employs direct instruction-type based peak power management by continuously scanning power across cycle windows, using a first-in first-out storage circuit to accumulate power estimates and generate control signals to manage power consumption based on threshold comparisons.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If dynamic frequency scaling and dynamic voltage scaling are used for power management, then power consumption is reduced, but the response time becomes too slow (70-90 clock cycles) to support transient events requiring faster response (less than 10 ns)
Solution Approach 1:
The power management function is segmented into two distinct components: a fast peak power manager that handles transient power spikes using current sampling and comparison, and a slower dynamic frequency/voltage scaler that manages sustained power consumption. This segmentation allows each component to operate at its optimal speed without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary peak power manager circuit is introduced between the CPU and the power source. This intermediary continuously monitors current, compares it against threshold values, and generates rapid control signals to limit transient power consumption, bridging the gap between fast transient response requirements and slower conventional power management techniques.
2Use of energy by moving object
If conventional power management techniques are used, then power consumption is controlled, but heat generation increases due to the slower response time inability to quickly limit power spikes
Solution Approach 1:
The peak power manager performs preliminary action by continuously sampling current and maintaining ready-to-activate control signals that can immediately limit power consumption when thresholds are exceeded. This preliminary monitoring and preparation of control signals prevents power spikes before they can generate excessive heat, rather than reacting after heat generation has already occurred.
3Speed
If fast transient response (less than 10 ns) is implemented, then transient events are supported, but conventional power management techniques become too slow and ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The solution merges two power management approaches: the fast peak power manager using current sampling and threshold comparison for transient response, and the slower dynamic frequency/voltage scaling for sustained power management. This combination allows the system to benefit from both fast transient response and effective overall power consumption control.
Data Source
AI summary
Some aspects of this disclosure relate to a peak power manager that includes a first power estimate accumulator circuit configured to receive one or more power estimates associated with one or more subsystems and to generate a first accumulated power estimate. The peak power manage can further include a first-in first-out (FIFO) storage circuit configured to store a plurality of first accumulated power estimates associated with a plurality of clock cycles corresponding to a moving time interval window. The peak power manager can further include a second power estimate accumulator circuit configured to accumulate the plurality of first accumulated power estimates to generate a second accumulated power estimate and a control circuit. The control circuit can be configured to compare the second accumulated power estimate with a threshold power and generate a control signal to control one or more events at the one or more subsystems in response to the second accumulated power estimate satisfying a condition associated with the threshold power.