Power Gating Control Circuit for Variable Fuse Logic States
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power gating techniques, such as zigzag power gating, are limited in reducing current consumption in portable electronic devices as they cannot be applied to logic circuit blocks with variable logic states, like those using signals from fuse circuits in test modes, restricting the reduction of power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A power gating control circuit that includes a logic circuit block capable of cutting off power in a power down mode and using fuse signals to maintain a predetermined output level, along with a transmission control circuit to manage fuse signals and generate power down signals based on standby signals, allowing for flexible power management across various logic states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If typical zigzag power gating is applied to logic circuit blocks, then power consumption is reduced in fixed logic state circuits, but it cannot be applied to logic circuit blocks with variable logic states such as fuse circuits in test mode
Solution Approach 1:
A transmission control circuit is introduced as an intermediary between the fuse signal source and the logic circuit block. This transmission control circuit receives the fuse signal and conditionally transmits it to the logic circuit block based on the power mode (normal or power down), enabling power gating to be applied even to circuits with variable logic states.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the transmission of fuse signals based on operational mode. In normal mode, fuse signals are transmitted to maintain variable logic states; in power down mode, transmission is blocked and default logic levels are applied, enabling power gating. This dynamic control allows the same power gating architecture to serve both fixed and variable logic state circuits.
2Loss of energy
If power gating is applied to logic circuit blocks with variable logic states, then current consumption can be further reduced, but the logic state may vary causing incorrect operation
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission control circuit dynamically switches between two operational states: in normal mode, it transparently passes fuse signals to maintain correct logic states; in power down mode, it blocks fuse signals and applies default logic levels. This dynamic behavior ensures reliability in both modes while enabling standby current reduction in power down mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission control circuit is configured to block fuse signals before the power down mode fully activates, preventing any potential logic state variations that could cause incorrect operation. By preliminarily establishing the blocked state, the circuit ensures reliability while achieving standby current reduction.
Data Source
AI summary
A power gating control circuit may include a transmission control circuit configured to receive a first fuse signal and output a second fuse signal based on a level of the first fuse signal in a normal mode or output a second fuse signal regardless of a level of the first fuse signal in a power down mode. The power gating control circuit may include a logic circuit block including logic gates and configured to apply the second fuse signal to the logic gates.