Power-domain current balance via adaptive voltage and frequency scaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Energy consumption mismatch between power-domains in power-sensitive systems limits the effectiveness of energy/charge recycling techniques, as circuit partitioning and varying task loads lead to current imbalances, which are not efficiently optimized by existing methods.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an apparatus with a current sink/source sensor and current imbalance controller that generates power-domain control signals, including voltage, frequency, and task control signals, to reduce current imbalances between power-domains using adaptive relative voltage and frequency scaling (ARVFS) techniques, ensuring efficient charge recycling across stacked or flat power-domains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If circuit partitioning is applied for charge recycling, then energy efficiency is improved, but current imbalance between power-domains increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where current sensors continuously monitor the current in each power-domain and feed this information to a controller. The controller compares the currents and generates control signals to adjust voltage or frequency in domains with imbalanced current, thereby dynamically maintaining current balance while preserving energy efficiency benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts operating parameters (voltage and frequency) of power-domains based on real-time current measurements. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to respond to changing load conditions and maintain optimal current balance, resolving the contradiction between fixed circuit partitioning and variable current demands
2Adaptability or versatility
If task loads are varied across power-domains, then functional versatility is improved, but current mismatch increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes operating parameters (voltage and frequency) of power-domains to compensate for current mismatches caused by varied task loads. When one domain has higher current demand due to heavier task load, the controller adjusts voltage/frequency parameters to balance the currents, thereby maintaining energy efficiency while preserving functional versatility
3Loss of energy
If voltage and frequency are adjusted to balance current, then energy consumption is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service through automatic current balancing without requiring manual intervention. The controller autonomously monitors current measurements, compares power-domain currents, and adjusts voltage/frequency parameters to maintain balance, reducing energy consumption while minimizing the operational complexity for users
Data Source
AI summary
One example discloses an apparatus for power management, including: a current sink/source sensor configured to monitor a power-supply to inter-power-domain sink/source-current and to generate a current mismatch signal if the power-supply to inter-power-domain sink/source-current exceeds a threshold range; and a current imbalance controller coupled to receive the current mismatch signal and configured to generate a set of power-domain control signals; wherein the set of power-domain control signals reduce an absolute value of the power-supply to inter-power-domain sink/source-current.