Power Island Architecture for Leakage Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
As integrated circuit dimensions decrease, a significant portion of power is lost through mechanisms like junction leakage, sub-threshold leakage, gate dielectric tunneling leakage, and drain induced barrier lowering leakage, which is problematic in power-limited applications.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of power islands with local and global storage capacitors, switches, and a power dispatch unit that selectively connects the global power grid to local power grids, allowing power to be dispatched only when needed to minimize leakage losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous power is supplied to functional circuits, then operational reliability is improved, but non-productive power consumption increases due to leakage mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is segmented into multiple independent power islands, each with its own local storage capacitor and functional circuits. This allows selective powering of individual islands rather than continuous supply to the entire system, reducing leakage losses while maintaining reliability of active components.
Solution Approach 2:
Local storage capacitors are pre-charged during periods when functional circuits are not active. This preliminary energy storage allows rapid power restoration when needed, maintaining operational reliability without requiring continuous power supply that would cause leakage losses.
2Productivity
If power is continuously supplied to all power islands, then functional circuit performance is improved, but power loss through leakage mechanisms worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system dynamically adjusts which power islands are active based on functional requirements. The power dispatch unit enables or disables specific islands as needed, ensuring that power is supplied to maintain performance only when and where required, rather than continuously to all islands.
Solution Approach 2:
Power is supplied periodically to different power islands based on demand patterns. The system alternates between active and standby states for different islands, with local storage capacitors recharging during standby periods and providing power during active periods, reducing overall leakage losses.
3Productivity
If local storage capacitors are used in each power island, then power dispatch efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
While segmentation does increase the number of components, each power island is designed as a modular unit with standardized local storage capacitors and power management circuits. This modular approach allows the complexity to be managed through repetition of proven designs rather than custom solutions for each island.
Solution Approach 2:
The power dispatch unit is designed to control multiple power islands using a unified control architecture. The same control logic and switching mechanisms are applied across all islands, reducing the overall system complexity despite the presence of multiple local storage capacitors by providing a universal control approach.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces non-productive power consumption by ensuring power is only supplied when required, thereby minimizing energy loss through leakage mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
a local storage capacitor coupling a local power grid to a local ground grid
Implementation Method 2
a global storage capacitor coupling a global power grid to a global ground grid
Data Source
AI summary
A method of reducing static power consumption in a low power electronic device. The electronic device including one or more power islands, each power island including: a local storage capacitor coupling a local power grid to a local ground grid; and a functional circuit connected between the local power grid and the local ground grid; a global storage capacitor coupling a global power grid to a global ground grid, each local ground grid connected to the global ground grid; one or more switches, each switch selectively connecting the global power grid to a single and different corresponding local power grid; and a power dispatch unit adapted to open and close the one or more switches.