Processor Voltage Bypass for Power Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing power requirements and energy consumption of computing systems due to advances in semiconductor processing and logic design pose a significant challenge for energy efficiency, particularly in integrated circuits used in computers, servers, and mobile devices, necessitating innovative power management solutions.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a processor architecture that allows for dynamic control of voltage delivery, enabling domains to operate at independent voltage and frequency points by receiving voltages from external sources and conditioning them on-die only when necessary, thereby avoiding power efficiency losses from on-die regulators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If on-die voltage regulators are used to condition voltage for each domain, then each domain can operate at independent voltage points, but power efficiency losses occur due to the regulators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic voltage selection by providing multiple voltage sources (external voltage rail and on-die regulator output) and dynamically switching between them based on operational requirements. The domain can dynamically select the optimal voltage source to balance independence and power efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary voltage selection mechanism that mediates between the external voltage rail and the on-die regulator. This intermediary layer allows the system to choose whether to use the regulator (for independent control) or bypass it (for power efficiency), resolving the contradiction between adaptability and energy loss.
2Measurement precision
If voltage is conditioned on-die for each domain, then optimal voltage control is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the voltage control architecture into multiple independent paths: an external voltage rail path and an on-die regulator path. Each domain can selectively connect to the appropriate path, reducing the need for every domain to have full regulatory infrastructure and thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining precision where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The external voltage rail serves as a universal voltage source that can supply multiple domains simultaneously without requiring individual regulation for each domain. This multi-functional approach reduces device complexity by eliminating redundant regulatory components while maintaining precise voltage control through selective usage.
3Loss of energy
If multiple voltage rails are provided externally, then power efficiency improves by bypassing regulators, but device complexity and form factor constraints are affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing the external voltage rail option specifically for domains that benefit most from power efficiency, while retaining on-die regulation for domains requiring independent voltage control. This localized approach optimizes power efficiency without requiring complex external voltage infrastructure for the entire device.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a processor includes a plurality of domains each to operate at an independently controllable voltage and frequency, a plurality of linear regulators each to receive a first voltage from an off-chip source and controllable to provide a regulated voltage to at least one of the plurality of domains, and a plurality of selectors each coupled to one of the domains, where each selector is configured to provide a regulated voltage from one of the linear regulators or a bypass voltage to a corresponding domain. Other embodiments are described and claimed.