Power Management Circuit for Multi-Voltage Sleep and Shut-Down Control
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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 power management solutions are inflexible and inefficient in reducing power consumption across different voltage domains.
Innovation Solution
A power management circuit that includes a power control circuit and a header circuit, capable of generating output control signals to manage power states, allowing the IC to automatically enter a power management mode, reducing power consumption and enabling a more flexible design by switching between normal, sleep, and shut-down modes across different voltage domains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering 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 IC performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic voltage management by enabling the IC to switch between different voltage domains (first voltage domain and second voltage domain) based on operational requirements. The power management circuit dynamically adjusts operating voltages for different circuit blocks, allowing the system to operate at higher voltages when performance is needed and lower voltages when power saving is prioritized, thus resolving the contradiction between device scaling and performance maintenance.
2Use of energy by moving object
If existing power management solutions are used, then power consumption can be reduced, but flexibility and efficiency across different voltage domains deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the IC into multiple voltage domains (first voltage domain and second voltage domain) with independent power management. The power management circuit can independently control power states for each voltage domain, enabling fine-grained power optimization. This segmentation allows different parts of the IC to operate at different voltages and power states simultaneously, providing both power consumption reduction and enhanced flexibility across voltage domains.
Solution Approach 2:
The power management circuit implements dynamic power state transitions between normal mode, sleep mode, and shut-down mode for different voltage domains based on operational requirements. This dynamic control enables the system to adapt power consumption levels in real-time while maintaining flexibility across multiple voltage domains, resolving the contradiction between power reduction and adaptability.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the IC enters power management mode automatically, then power consumption is reduced, but control flexibility may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The power management circuit incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor operational conditions and automatically transition the IC between normal mode, sleep mode, and shut-down mode based on detected states. The circuit receives control signals and automatically determines when to enter power management modes, reducing power consumption while maintaining control flexibility through programmable control signals that allow external override or configuration of power management behavior.
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit includes a power management circuit configured to receive at least a first or a second control signal, and to supply at least a first, second or a third supply voltage. The first control signal has a first voltage swing. The second control signal has a second voltage swing. The power management circuit includes a first level shifter circuit configured to generate a first level shifted signal in response to the first control signal, and a first header circuit coupled to at least the first level shifter circuit, a first voltage supply and a second voltage supply. The first header circuit is configured to supply the first supply voltage of the first voltage supply to the first node in response to the first control signal, and to supply the second supply voltage of the second voltage supply to the second node in response to the first level shifted signal.