Processor Power Switch Layout for Voltage Gradient Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing processors experience gradients in power supply voltage due to uneven distribution of power supply switch circuits and varying current consumption among circuits, leading to reduced operating voltage margins.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a first control circuit to adjust the power supply capacity of multiple power supply switch circuits based on voltage comparisons and a second control circuit to increase capacity near shortage areas, ensuring uniform power supply voltage across the processor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If power supply switch circuits are distributed in the internal circuit, then power supply voltage can be adjusted locally, but voltage gradients still occur due to uneven distribution and varying current consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different power supply capacities to different power supply switch circuits based on their proximity to high-current-consumption circuits. Specifically, power supply switch circuits near shortage areas are configured with larger transistor widths (e.g., 2.5 times larger) to provide higher current capacity locally, while those farther away maintain standard capacity. This non-uniform capacity distribution resolves voltage gradients by matching supply capacity to local demand.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the power supply control into multiple independent power supply switch circuits distributed across the internal circuit. Each switch circuit can be independently controlled with different capacity settings, allowing localized adjustment of power supply characteristics. This segmentation enables different regions of the circuit to receive appropriately sized power supply capacity based on their specific current consumption requirements.
2Reliability
If power supply capacity is increased near shortage areas, then voltage gradients are reduced, but device complexity increases due to multiple control circuits and configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter of transistor width to adjust power supply capacity. By modifying the width of pMOS transistors in power supply switch circuits (e.g., setting W1 to 2.5 times W2 for circuits near shortage areas), the patent achieves different current capacities without adding complex control logic. This parameter-based differentiation simplifies the overall device complexity while effectively preventing voltage gradients.
3Device complexity
If standard power supply switch circuits are used throughout, then device complexity is minimized, but operating voltage margin is reduced due to voltage gradients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by configuring power supply switch circuits with different transistor widths based on their location relative to high-current-consumption circuits. Circuits positioned near shortage areas use larger transistors (2.5 times the width) to provide adequate current capacity, while distant circuits use standard-sized transistors. This localized differentiation maintains operating voltage margins in critical areas without unnecessarily increasing complexity throughout the entire device.
Data Source
AI summary
A processor includes an internal circuit; power supply switch circuits arranged in the internal circuit, each of the power supply switch circuits being configured to supply a power supply voltage to the internal circuit; a first control circuit configured to control the power supply switch circuits based on a result of comparison between a power supply voltage and a target voltage at a detection position provided in the internal circuit, and cause the power supply voltage in the internal circuit to be closer to the target voltage; and a second control circuit configured to increase a power supply capacity of the power supply switch circuit arranged near a shortage area, compared to a power supply capacity of the power supply switch circuit arranged at a position away from the shortage area, when there is the shortage area having a shortage in a power supply capacity in the internal circuit.