Power Management Software Architecture for Programmable Integrated Circuits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current power management system design for integrated circuits is time-consuming and prone to errors due to manual coding, making it difficult for non-experts to implement and debug, especially when the designer is not the same person who coded it.
Innovation Solution
A power management software architecture with graphical user interfaces that allows users to design and implement power management systems by associating power management modules with respective drivers in an integrated circuit design tool, enabling customization of power consumption data reporting and power state control through a global power management module.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual coding is used to design power management systems, then the system can be implemented, but the design process becomes time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual coding (mechanical process) with automated code generation through a graphical user interface. The system automatically translates graphical power management design elements into executable code, eliminating manual typing and reducing both time consumption and errors associated with hand-coding power management systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary software layer between the designer and the final code. This intermediary automatically processes the graphical design inputs and generates the corresponding power management code, serving as a mediator that converts high-level design intentions into low-level implementation details without requiring manual coding from the designer.
2Ease of operation
If non-expert users want to design power management systems, then accessibility improves, but coding expertise becomes a barrier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex coding operations with simple graphical interface interactions. Users can design power management systems by selecting and configuring graphical elements rather than writing code, thereby eliminating the need for programming expertise while maintaining full design capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses graphical representations as copies or abstractions of the actual power management logic. Instead of requiring users to write complex code, they work with simplified graphical models that automatically translate into the necessary implementation, making the design process accessible to non-experts.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the designer is not the same person who coded the system, then collaboration improves, but debugging becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an automatic code generation intermediary that creates a clear, traceable link between the graphical design and the generated code. This intermediary maintains consistency between design intent and implementation, making it easier for different designers to collaborate and debug since the automatic generation process ensures the code accurately reflects the graphical design regardless of who created each component.
Data Source
AI summary
Power management architectures, methods and systems for programmable integrated circuit are disclosed. One embodiment of the present invention pertains to a power management software architecture which comprises power management modules each associated with a respective driver. Each driver is associated with a component of a programmable integrated circuit and displayable as a graphic image within an on-screen display of an integrated circuit design tool for programming the programmable integrated circuit. In addition, each power management module is operable to report power consumption data customized to its respective driver. The power management software architecture also comprises a power source module associated with a power source for the programmable integrated circuit for reporting power supply characteristics. Furthermore, the power management software architecture comprises a global power management module operable to control a power state of the programmable integrated circuit based on communication with the power management modules and the power source module.