Power Control Apparatus for Dynamic Voltage Gating and Retention

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power control apparatuses for processing circuits require separate power gating and retention switches, occupying significant circuit area and contributing to static leakage, which increases power consumption and overhead.

Innovation Solution

A power control apparatus with a single switch device that can dynamically switch between power gating and retention modes by responding to a sleep select signal, reducing the need for separate switches and minimizing circuit area and leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate power gating switches and retention switches are provided for processing circuits, then both power gating mode and retention mode can be supported, but the circuit area occupied increases significantly and static leakage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower saving modesVSAvoidcircuit area

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines separate power gating switches and retention switches into a single shared switch device. The switch device can be configured in different modes: as a power gating switch to cut off power supply, or as a retention switch to maintain circuit state, thereby supporting multiple power saving modes while reducing circuit area occupation from 10-30% to a much smaller footprint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shared switch device is designed to perform multiple functions: it can operate as a power gating switch for complete power cutoff, as a retention switch for state maintenance with reduced power, and even as a diode-connected device for voltage buffering. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated switches for each power saving mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate power gating switches and retention switches are provided for processing circuits, then both power gating mode and retention mode can be supported, but static leakage increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower saving modesVSAvoidstatic leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines separate power gating switches and retention switches into a single shared switch device. The switch device can be configured in different modes: as a power gating switch to cut off power supply, or as a retention switch to maintain circuit state, thereby supporting multiple power saving modes while reducing circuit area occupation from 10-30% to a much smaller footprint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If separate power gating switches and retention switches are provided for processing circuits, then both power gating mode and retention mode can be supported, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower saving modesVSAvoidswitch overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines separate power gating switches and retention switches into a single shared switch device. The switch device can be configured in different modes: as a power gating switch to cut off power supply, or as a retention switch to maintain circuit state, thereby supporting multiple power saving modes while reducing circuit area occupation from 10-30% to a much smaller footprint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shared switch device is designed to perform multiple functions: it can operate as a power gating switch for complete power cutoff, as a retention switch for state maintenance with reduced power, and even as a diode-connected device for voltage buffering. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated switches for each power saving mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8456140B2Power control apparatus and method for controlling a supply voltage for an associated circuit

Publication Date: 2013.06.04 ARM LTD

AI summary

A power control apparatus for controlling a supply voltage for an associated circuit comprises a power input for receiving an input voltage and a power output for supplying the supply voltage to the circuit. A switch device is provided with a first terminal coupled to the power input, a second terminal coupled to the power output and a control terminal for receiving a sleep select signal. A control device selectively configures the switch device to act as either a power gating switch, in which the switch device is responsive to the sleep select signal to select whether or not to supply the input voltage to the power output; or a retention switch in which a voltage difference is formed between the power input and the power input and the switch device supplies a retention voltage to the power output, the retention voltage being different to the input voltage.