Power Supply Circuit Leakage Reduction via Switching Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power supply systems for integrated circuits, such as SoCs, face challenges in managing varying power demands and leakage currents during sleep states, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage due to the inability to effectively isolate the energy storage device during low-power states, which can result in unnecessary recharging and delayed resumption of normal operation.
Innovation Solution
A power supply circuit portion with first and second power rails, output terminals, and an energy storage device, where switching portions disconnect the energy storage device from the power rail during low-power states, reducing leakage current and allowing for efficient power management without impacting normal operation, using transistors and clamp transistors to manage voltage and prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the power supply remains connected during sleep state, then the integrated circuit can quickly resume operation, but leakage current increases energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system dynamically adjusts its connection state based on operational mode. During active operation, the power supply remains connected for immediate responsiveness. During sleep state, the switching portion disconnects the power supply from output terminals while maintaining connection to the energy storage device, reducing leakage current. This dynamic state adjustment resolves the contradiction between energy consumption and resume time.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply connection is segmented into two independent paths: one to the output terminals (controlled by first switching portion) and one to the energy storage device (controlled by second switching portion). This segmentation allows selective disconnection of the power supply from output terminals during sleep state while maintaining energy storage device connection, thereby reducing leakage current without completely isolating the power system.
2Reliability
If the energy storage device remains connected during sleep state, then voltage stability is maintained, but leakage current increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection state of the energy storage device dynamically changes based on operational mode. During active operation, the energy storage device remains connected to provide voltage stability and filter high-frequency signals. During sleep state, the second switching portion disconnects the energy storage device from the power supply, eliminating the leakage current path while the device retains its stored charge for quick resume capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy storage device is extracted from the active circuit during sleep state by opening the second switch. This removal eliminates the leakage current path from the power supply through the energy storage device, while the device retains its voltage-stabilizing function through stored charge, ready to quickly resume operation when needed.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If decoupling capacitor is used, then high frequency noise is filtered, but leakage current increases during sleep state
Solution Approach 1:
The decoupling capacitor (energy storage device) dynamically changes connection state based on operational mode. During active operation, it remains connected to filter high-frequency noise and provide local charge storage. During sleep state, the second switching portion disconnects it from the power supply, eliminating the leakage current path while preserving its noise-filtering capability through stored charge.
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 solution effectively reduces leakage current and minimizes the need for recharging the energy storage device, leading to energy savings and faster resumption of normal operation, especially in battery-powered devices with short sleep times, by isolating the energy storage device during low-power states.
Implementation Method 1
A decoupling capacitor between the power supply input pins in order to act as a charge store for supplying instantaneous charge requirements
Implementation Method 2
first and second switching portions; wherein the power supply circuit portion has a first mode in which power is supplied to the first and second output terminals by the first and second power rails; and a second mode in which the first switching portion is arranged such that power is not supplied to the first and second output terminals
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply circuit portion for supplying power comprises a first power rail, a second power rail, first and second output terminals, an energy storage device connected in parallel with the first and second output terminals; and first and second switching portions. The power supply circuit portion has a first mode in which power is supplied to the first and second output terminals by the first and second power rails, and a second mode in which the first switching portion is arranged such that power is not supplied to the first and second output terminals and the second switching portion is arranged to disconnect the energy storage device from the first power rail.