Power Supply Voltage Switching for Low-Leakage Semiconductor Circuits
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Semiconductor apparatuses face issues with unnecessary current consumption and leakage current when operating in low power modes, as they continue to use the same supply voltage even in power down or low-frequency modes, leading to inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A power supply circuit with a power supply changing unit that adjusts voltage levels based on enable and level signals to generate different voltage levels for the internal circuit, reducing current consumption by switching between first and second voltages, and a swing level adjustment unit that adjusts the swing level of input signals between ground voltage and power supply voltage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the semiconductor apparatus operates in low power mode or power down mode, then power consumption is reduced, but unnecessary current consumption and leakage current occur because the same supply voltage is maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply circuit dynamically adjusts the supply voltage based on the operating mode. In normal mode, the full power supply voltage is provided to the internal circuit. In low power mode, a first reduced voltage is provided, and in power down mode, a second reduced voltage (lower than the first reduced voltage) is provided. This dynamic voltage adjustment eliminates unnecessary current consumption and leakage current while maintaining stable operation across different power modes.
2Loss of energy
If the power supply voltage is reduced in low power modes, then current consumption is reduced, but the internal circuit may not operate stably
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the voltage parameter according to different operating modes. The power supply changing unit generates different voltage levels (power supply voltage, first reduced voltage, second reduced voltage) based on the mode signal. This parameter change ensures that the internal circuit receives appropriate voltage for stable operation in each mode while minimizing current consumption. The swing level adjustment unit also adjusts signal swing levels to match the reduced voltage levels, maintaining reliable operation.
3Use of energy by moving object
If multiple voltage levels are generated for different operating modes, then power consumption is optimized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply changing unit performs multiple functions: it generates the power supply voltage, first reduced voltage, and second reduced voltage based on the mode signal. It also works cooperatively with the swing level adjustment unit to adjust both voltage levels and signal swing levels. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate circuits for each function, thereby optimizing power consumption without excessively increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor apparatus includes a power supply changing unit. The power supply changing unit is configured to receive an enable signal and power supply voltage, generate first voltage or second voltage according to the enable signal, change a voltage level of the second voltage according to a level signal, and supply the first voltage or the second voltage as a driving voltage of an internal circuit, wherein the internal circuit receives a first input signal to output a second input signal.