Power-Gating Controller Synchronizes Circuit Transitions
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Power-gating electronic systems face noise and current surges during power transitions due to mismatches in power supply and demand, which can lead to instability and incorrect operations in circuits.
Innovation Solution
A power-gating electronic system with a controller that generates gate signals based on a determined waiting time interval to synchronize the power transitions of cells and circuits, minimizing noise by segmenting the power transitions and ensuring equivalent electrical distances between outputs and inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If power-gating is used to reduce power consumption by disconnecting inactive circuits, then power consumption is reduced and battery lifespan is improved, but noise and current surges occur during power transitions that can cause circuit instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power transition process into multiple sequential steps rather than a single abrupt transition. The controller sequentially activates or deactivates different circuit blocks with controlled time intervals, dividing the power gating operation into discrete stages. This segmentation prevents simultaneous current changes across multiple circuits, thereby reducing current surges and noise while maintaining power savings.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating and sequencing the activation/deactivation timing of different circuit blocks before actual power transitions occur. The system determines optimal time intervals in advance and prepares the power gating sequence, ensuring that circuits are powered up or down in a coordinated manner that prevents current surges and minimizes noise generation.
2Speed
If circuits are rapidly powered up or down to respond quickly to operational changes, then system responsiveness is improved, but noise increases and power stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of power transitions by adjusting the timing sequence based on real-time system conditions. The controller dynamically determines the optimal sequence and time intervals for activating or deactivating different circuit blocks, adapting the power transition strategy to minimize noise while maintaining fast response. This dynamic sequencing allows rapid power changes when needed while preventing noise through coordinated timing.
3Productivity
If multiple circuits are powered up or down simultaneously to reduce transition time, then productivity is improved, but power mismatches cause noise and instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the simultaneous power transition into sequential operations, dividing multiple circuits into groups that are activated or deactivated in successive time intervals. This segmentation maintains productivity by efficiently managing power transitions while ensuring power stability by preventing simultaneous current changes that would cause noise and mismatches.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller performs preliminary sequencing of power transitions, determining the optimal order and timing for activating or deactivating different circuit blocks before execution. This preliminary planning ensures that circuits are powered up or down in a coordinated sequence that maintains power stability while achieving efficient transition times, preventing noise generation through advance timing coordination.
Data Source
AI summary
A power-gating electronic system for synchronized power transitions, includes a power generation block including a plurality of cells, each cell including a cell enabling input; a circuit block including a plurality of circuits, each circuit including a circuit enabling input; and a power-gating controller including a plurality of gate signal outputs. In the power-gating electronic system, each gate signal output is coupled to one of the cell enabling inputs and one of the circuit enabling inputs.