Power Supply Switch Circuit for Low-Leakage Standby Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Computing devices face increased power consumption and leakage current issues in standby and power-down modes due to delay circuits, which contribute to energy inefficiency and inrush currents during power-up.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a switch circuit, delay circuit, and bypass circuit configuration that allows the delay circuit to be powered down and bypassed, enabling the switch circuit to be disabled, thereby reducing leakage current in standby and power-down modes and staggering power supply to reduce inrush currents during power-up.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If delay circuits are used to stagger power supply to reduce inrush currents, then inrush current is reduced, but leakage current increases in standby and power-down modes
Solution Approach 1:
The delay circuit is designed to be dynamically controllable, switching between active and powered-down states based on operational mode. During power-up, the delay circuit is active to stagger power supply and reduce inrush current. During standby and power-down modes, the delay circuit is powered down to eliminate leakage current, achieving both goals at different times.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the power state parameter of the delay circuit based on operational requirements. By controlling the power supply voltage to the delay circuit, the system transitions between having delay functionality (when powered) and having zero leakage (when powered down), resolving the contradiction between reducing inrush current and reducing leakage current.
2Reliability
If delay circuits remain powered to maintain delay functionality, then delay function is preserved, but leakage current increases in standby mode
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the power state of the delay circuit based on whether delay functionality is needed. During normal operation, the delay circuit is powered to maintain its delay function. During standby and power-down modes, the delay circuit is powered down to eliminate leakage, as delay functionality is not required in these states.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent temporarily discards the delay function during standby and power-down modes by powering down the delay circuit, accepting that the function is unavailable when not needed. The delay circuit is recovered (powered back up) when operational modes require delay functionality, balancing functional requirements with energy efficiency.
3Power
If switch circuit is enabled to power circuit block, then circuit block is powered, but leakage current increases in standby mode
Solution Approach 1:
The switch circuit is designed with dynamic control capability, allowing it to transition between enabled and disabled states. During active operation, the switch circuit is enabled to power the circuit block. During standby and power-down modes, the switch circuit is disabled to eliminate leakage current, achieving both power delivery and energy savings at different times.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the power delivery parameter of the switch circuit based on operational mode. By controlling the switch state and power supply voltage, the system transitions between delivering full power (when needed) and delivering zero power (during standby/power-down), resolving the contradiction between powering the circuit block and reducing leakage current.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses and methods to reduce leakage current are presented. The includes a switch circuit configured to power a circuit block; a delay circuit configured to delay enabling the switch circuit powering the circuit block and to be powered down; and a bypass circuit configured to bypass the delay circuit to disable the switch circuit powering the circuit block. The method includes powering, by switch, a circuit block; powering down a delay circuit; and bypassing, by a bypass circuit, the delay circuit to disable the switch circuit powering the circuit block.