Power Management Circuit With Level Shifting Across Voltage Domains

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Solution Overview

Problem

As semiconductor integrated circuits (ICs) become smaller and more complex, the decreasing operating voltages affect IC performance, and existing technologies struggle to efficiently manage power consumption across different voltage domains.

Innovation Solution

A circuit design that includes a power management circuit coupled to multiple voltage supplies, generating output control signals to manage power states, and utilizing level shifter circuits to transition control signals between different voltage domains, allowing for automatic entry into power management modes to reduce power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If operating voltage is decreased to enable smaller and more complex ICs, then device size and complexity are improved, but power consumption management becomes problematic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidpower consumption management

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The power management circuit segments the voltage supply system into multiple voltage domains (first voltage domain and second voltage domain) with separate voltage supplies. This allows independent control of power delivery to different circuit blocks, enabling efficient power management in low-voltage ICs without requiring global voltage changes across the entire device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The circuit dynamically switches between different power delivery modes (first power delivery mode and second power delivery mode) based on operational requirements. The power management circuit can transition between these modes to optimize power consumption, enabling the IC to adapt its power usage to actual operational needs while maintaining low operating voltages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Use of energy by moving object

If manual power mode switching is implemented, then power consumption can be controlled, but ease of operation deteriorates due to manual intervention requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumption controlVSAvoidmanual intervention requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The power management circuit automatically determines when to switch between power delivery modes based on its own detection of operational conditions. The circuit monitors signals from circuit blocks and autonomously transitions between first and second power delivery modes without requiring external manual control, thereby maintaining easy operation while achieving effective power consumption control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The power management circuit incorporates feedback mechanisms where circuit blocks provide operational status signals to the power management circuit. Based on this feedback, the power management circuit automatically adjusts power delivery modes, creating a closed-loop system that controls power consumption without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If voltage domain isolation is implemented, then power management flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower management flexibilityVSAvoidcircuit structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power management circuit serves multiple functions: it manages power delivery to different voltage domains, detects operational conditions, controls mode transitions, and interfaces with various circuit blocks. This multi-functional design achieves voltage domain isolation and power management flexibility without proportionally increasing circuit complexity, as a single integrated circuit performs multiple roles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The power management circuit acts as an intermediary between the first voltage supply, the second voltage supply, and the circuit blocks. It mediates power delivery by controlling the coupling between voltage supplies and circuit blocks, enabling flexible power management across voltage domains while maintaining a relatively simple overall circuit structure through centralized control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250149070A1Circuit and method of operating the same

Publication Date: 2025.05.08 TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO LTD

AI summary

A circuit includes a power management circuit configured to receive a first or second control signal, and to supply a first, second or third supply voltage. The power management circuit includes a first level shifter circuit, a first header circuit and a latch circuit. The first level shifter circuit is configured to generate a fourth control signal in response to a fifth control signal. The fourth control signal is a level shifted version of the fifth control signal. The first header circuit is configured to supply a first supply voltage of a first voltage supply to a first node in response to the first control signal, or a second supply voltage of a second voltage supply to a second node in response to a first level shifted signal. The latch circuit is configured to generate a first output control signal in response to the first and the fourth control signal.