Power Gating Control Circuit for Idle-Synchronized Voltage Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current semiconductor apparatuses face challenges in dynamically managing power consumption during different operation modes, leading to inefficiencies in power gating control, especially in standby or sleep modes, which affects overall system performance and energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A power gating control circuit that generates a power gating signal based on clock synchronization and idle signals, enabling or disabling power supply to internal circuits, and a power gating circuit that applies operating voltages to internal circuits based on these signals, optimizing power usage by activating or deactivating components as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If power gating is continuously enabled to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency improves, but system responsiveness and operational reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The power gating control circuit enables power gating in advance during confirmed idle periods (when idle signal is active) while using delayed idle signal to ensure power is restored before actual operation needs begin. This preliminary action allows the system to maximize power savings during genuine idle states while preventing any potential responsiveness issues by ensuring power restoration timing is coordinated with actual operational requirements.
2Ease of manufacture
If power gating control is simplified to reduce circuit complexity, then ease of manufacture improves, but power management precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The power gating control function is segmented into distinct logical components: idle signal detection, clock synchronization signal integration, delayed idle signal generation, and power gating signal output. This segmentation allows each component to be implemented using simple, well-defined logic gates and signal processing elements, achieving both ease of manufacture through modular design and precise power management through dedicated functional blocks that can be independently optimized and verified.
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor apparatus includes a power gating control circuit and a power gating circuit. The power gating control circuit generates a power gating signal based on an idle signal, a clock synchronization signal, and a delayed idle signal. The power gating circuit applies at least a first operating voltage to an internal circuit based on the power gating signal.