Programmable IC Power Gating for Independent Reconfiguration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Power management in integrated circuits (ICs) with both processor systems and programmable circuitry is challenging, as existing solutions do not allow for independent power control of programmable circuitry, leading to inefficiencies in power consumption and limited ability to evolve or upgrade systems in the field.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a processor system that can independently power off and configure programmable circuitry, allowing for decoupling of power and storage of state information, enabling efficient power management and reconfiguration of circuits based on performance profiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the processor system and programmable circuitry are powered together, then the system maintains simplicity in power management, but power consumption cannot be optimized and the programmable circuitry cannot be upgraded without powering down the processor
Solution Approach 1:
The power management system is segmented into separate control domains: the processor system can independently control power delivery to the programmable circuitry through dedicated power control circuitry. This allows the programmable circuitry to be powered down or upgraded without affecting the processor system, enabling energy optimization while maintaining manageable complexity through modular power control architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The power management system implements dynamic power control where the processor system can adjust power delivery to the programmable circuitry in real-time based on operational needs. The system transitions between different power states (powered on, powered off, reconfiguration mode) independently, allowing adaptive energy management without requiring complex static power distribution schemes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the programmable circuitry is powered off independently, then power consumption is reduced and reconfiguration is enabled, but the power management system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates power control functions into distinct modules: the processor system includes dedicated power control circuitry that interfaces with the programmable circuitry through defined control signals. This segmentation enables independent reconfiguration of the programmable circuitry while the processor remains operational, providing adaptability without overwhelming complexity through standardized interface protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
A power control interface acts as an intermediary between the processor system and programmable circuitry. This intermediary manages the complexity of independent power control and reconfiguration by providing standardized control signals and status feedback, allowing the processor to initiate reconfiguration without directly managing the complex power sequencing and state management of the programmable circuitry.
3Speed
If configuration data is stored in volatile memory, then the system operates with fast access speeds, but power cannot be disconnected from the programmable circuitry without losing configuration state
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by saving configuration state data to non-volatile memory within the programmable circuitry before power down. This preliminary save operation ensures that when power is restored or the circuitry is reconfigured, the configuration can be rapidly restored without requiring full reconfiguration, maintaining fast effective access speeds while enabling power disconnection to reduce consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The configuration state is copied from volatile memory to non-volatile memory within the programmable circuitry before power down. This copying mechanism allows the volatile memory to be cleared for power savings while the configuration data persists in non-volatile storage, enabling fast reconfiguration by restoring from the copied state rather than requiring complete re-initialization.
Data Source
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AI summary
An integrated circuit (200, 300) can include a processor system (202, 310) configured to execute program code, wherein the processor system is hard- wired. The IC also can include programmable circuitry (204, 315) configurable to implement different physical circuits. The programmable circuitry can be coupled to the processor system and can be configured to implement a power off procedure under the control of the processor system.