Power Switch Voltage Control Circuit for Leakage Current Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional circuits for coupling different supply voltages to integrated circuit nodes suffer from leakage current, leading to increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A voltage control circuit with a power switch, comprising transistors and drivers, that selectively couples either a first or second voltage to a node based on an enable signal, allowing for efficient voltage selection and minimizing power usage by turning off unused voltage supplies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional circuits are used to couple different supply voltages to integrated circuit nodes, then voltage supply flexibility is achieved, but leakage current increases leading to higher power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the leakage current path by introducing a control mechanism that actively disables unused voltage supplies. The voltage control circuit selectively connects only the required voltage supply to the node, extracting the harmful leakage current from the system by isolating disconnected voltage rails from the active circuit node.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a voltage control circuit as an intermediary between multiple voltage supplies and the integrated circuit node. This intermediary component manages the connection between voltage sources and the node, using control signals to selectively enable or disable specific voltage connections, thereby preventing direct leakage paths while maintaining voltage supply flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple voltage supplies are continuously connected to a node, then voltage selection capability is maintained, but power consumption increases due to leakage current
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of voltage connections by using controllable switches (such as transmission gates or MOSFETs) that can change their state based on operational requirements. The voltage control circuit dynamically connects or disconnects voltage supplies in response to control signals, allowing the system to adapt its power consumption to the actual operational mode while maintaining voltage selection capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic or conditional activation of voltage supplies based on operational modes. Instead of continuously maintaining all voltage supplies connected, the system periodically or conditionally enables specific voltage connections only when required by the operational mode, thereby reducing average power consumption while preserving the ability to switch between different voltage levels when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A voltage control circuit includes a first transistor coupled to a first voltage supply terminal having a first voltage, a second transistor coupled to the first transistor and a node, a third transistor coupled to a second voltage supply terminal and the node, wherein the second voltage supply terminal has a second voltage and the node is at a voltage selected from the group consisting of the first voltage and the second voltage, and a fourth transistor coupled to the node.