Power Management Circuit Inrush Current Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing the efficient entering and exiting of power-down modes for multiple cores in electronic apparatuses while mitigating the drawbacks of inrush current spikes.
Innovation Solution
A power management circuit configured as a token manager that selects cores for entering or exiting power-down modes based on inrush current information, issuing tokens to grant requests and manage inrush current within a budget.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If multiple cores simultaneously enter or exit power-down modes to optimize power consumption, then power management efficiency is improved, but inrush current spikes occur causing potential overload
Solution Approach 1:
The power management circuit proactively manages power-down mode transitions by evaluating inrush current information before allowing cores to enter or exit power-down modes. This preliminary assessment prevents excessive inrush current by controlling the timing and sequencing of power transitions, ensuring that multiple cores do not simultaneously transition in a way that would cause harmful current spikes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring inrush current information and using this data to dynamically adjust power-down mode transitions. The power management circuit receives feedback about current conditions and uses this information to make real-time decisions about which cores should transition to or from power-down modes, thereby optimizing power consumption while preventing harmful inrush current spikes.
2Use of energy by moving object
If cores frequently transition between power-down modes to adapt to varying computational loads, then power consumption optimization is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power management circuit operates autonomously by self-evaluating inrush current information and automatically making decisions about power-down mode transitions. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex external control logic or manual intervention, allowing the system to frequently adapt power consumption levels in response to varying computational loads while keeping the control architecture relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The power management circuit serves multiple functions simultaneously: it monitors inrush current, evaluates power consumption needs, sequences power-down transitions, and prevents overload conditions. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single multi-functional circuit, the system achieves sophisticated power management without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus includes a first circuit configured to receive one or more requests from a plurality of cores. Each of the one or more requests is to enter or to exit one of a plurality of power-down modes. The first circuit further selects one or more of the cores to enter or to exit the requested power-down mode or modes based on inrush current information associated with the power-down modes. A second circuit is configured to effect entering or exiting the requested power-down mode or modes in the selected one or more of the cores.