Power Supply Domain Segmentation for Leakage Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional integrated circuits in low-power modes experience significant current leakage due to the always-on power supply domain, limiting the reduction of power consumption and size, while maintaining retention functionality.
Innovation Solution
The integrated circuit includes a first always-on power supply domain and at least two deactivatable power supply domains that can be placed in a retention state, with auxiliary power supply lines and control circuitry to manage their activation and deactivation hierarchically, allowing for minimal size and functionality of the always-on domain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the always-on power supply domain is made larger to provide sufficient control functionality for waking up deactivated domains, then the ability to deactivate and retain power supply domains is improved, but the current leakage and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply circuit is divided into multiple independent power supply domains (first power supply domain, second power supply domain, third power supply domain) that can be individually controlled. Each domain can be independently deactivated or kept active, allowing fine-grained power management. This segmentation enables the system to reduce overall power consumption by deactivating unnecessary domains while maintaining retention functionality in active domains.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic power management where the power supply domains can transition between active and deactivated states based on operational requirements. The control circuit dynamically adjusts which domains are active and which are deactivated, allowing the system to adapt power consumption to actual needs. This dynamic approach enables the system to maintain retention functionality when needed while minimizing power consumption during low-activity periods.
2Loss of energy
If the always-on power supply domain is made smaller to reduce power consumption, then current leakage is reduced, but the control functionality to wake up deactivated domains is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediary retention circuits in each power supply domain that can retain state information even when the domain is deactivated. These retention circuits act as intermediaries between the deactivated domain and the active control circuitry, preserving the ability to wake up the domain later without requiring the always-on domain to maintain full control functionality continuously. This intermediary mechanism enables power reduction while preserving adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the power supply into multiple independently controllable domains, the system distributes the control functionality across multiple domains rather than concentrating it all in a single always-on domain. This segmentation allows each domain to have minimal always-on functionality while collectively providing comprehensive wake-up capability through the control circuit that manages domain transitions.
3Loss of energy
If multiple power supply domains are deactivated to reduce power consumption, then power usage is reduced, but the complexity of managing hierarchical activation and deactivation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuitry is segmented into domain-specific control elements within each power supply domain, with each domain having its own control logic for activation and deactivation. This segmentation distributes the control complexity across multiple independent units rather than requiring a single complex centralized controller. Each domain's control circuitry is simple and self-contained, managing only its own activation state while higher-level control handles coordination between domains.
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated circuit includes a logic part configured to be supplied by a main supply voltage, comprising an always-on first power supply domain, and at least two power supply domains that are deactivated in a retention state. The logic part includes auxiliary power supply lines configured to supply each deactivated power supply domain placed in the retention state of the always-on first power supply domain.