Power Management Circuitry for Timed Low-Power State Transitions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power management techniques in system-on-chip (SOC) implementations are inefficient and energy-consuming, particularly in portable applications, as they rely on deterministic transitions to low power states without considering the actual readiness of the power domain, leading to suboptimal power consumption and performance.
Innovation Solution
A power management controller circuit monitors the power domain's attempts to enter a low power state and initiates non-deterministic transitions based on operational conditions and time limits, allowing for efficient and energy-efficient power state changes by detecting when the power domain remains in a state for longer than a threshold period.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If deterministic transitions to low power states are used, then power state control is simple, but power consumption is high and energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power state transitions by introducing a time limit mechanism that adapts the transition behavior based on actual domain readiness. The power management controller dynamically adjusts whether to transition to low power state or remain in high power state by monitoring if the time limit expires, making the system responsive to real-time conditions rather than following fixed deterministic patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback through time limit monitoring to determine power state transitions. The power management controller sets a time limit and monitors whether the domain enters the low power state within that limit. This feedback mechanism (time limit expiration or successful transition) determines the next action, creating a closed-loop control system that improves energy efficiency while maintaining manageable complexity.
2Device complexity
If deterministic transitions to low power states are used, then control logic is simple, but energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control logic is made dynamic by introducing conditional transition behavior based on time limit monitoring. Instead of always transitioning to low power state, the controller now dynamically decides based on whether the time limit expires or the transition succeeds, adapting to the actual readiness of the power domain to improve energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The control logic incorporates feedback through time limit monitoring to improve energy efficiency. The controller monitors whether the domain successfully transitions within the time limit and uses this feedback to determine subsequent actions, creating an efficient control mechanism that avoids unnecessary high power state maintenance while managing complexity.
3Use of energy by moving object
If non-deterministic transitions with time limits are implemented, then power consumption is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a time limit mechanism as an intermediary element between the power management controller and the power domain transition. This intermediary (time limit counter) mediates the transition decision-making process, allowing the system to reduce power consumption through intelligent monitoring while containing complexity by using a standardized time-based control mechanism rather than complex domain-specific logic.
4Reliability
If the power domain remains in high power state longer, then reliability of power state transition improves, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the skipping principle by imposing a time limit to rush through the power state transition process. If the domain can transition to low power state within the time limit, the transition proceeds successfully. If not, the system skips waiting and takes alternative action, preventing excessive energy consumption while maintaining reliable transitions by not forcing premature transitions that would fail.
Data Source
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AI summary
Techniques and mechanisms for a power management circuit to monitor a power domain during one or more attempts to configure a low power state of the power domain. In an embodiment, the one or more attempts are performed during an instance of a local power state at a processor that is coupled to the power management circuit. The monitoring is to detect for a condition wherein the power domain has been in a power state, other than the low power state, for longer than a predetermined threshold length of time. Where the condition is detected, the power management circuit generates one or more signals which change the local power state of the processor, or interrupt an operating system that is executed with the processor. In another embodiment, the power management circuit provides analytic data based on the monitoring of the one or more attempts.