Programmable Logic Multi-Voltage Domains for Power-Aware Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Integrated circuit devices with programmable logic face challenges in reducing power consumption without rendering parts of the logic design inoperable, as lowering voltage for one part can affect the functionality of another.

Innovation Solution

Implementing programmable logic devices with multiple voltage and frequency domains, using level shifters and isolation circuits to provide independent power control to sectors, allowing for discrete voltage and frequency control without additional fabric logic resources, and optimizing voltage levels based on user-defined register-transfer level designs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the voltage of the programmable logic device is lowered to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but another part of the logic design becomes inoperable or unsuitable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidlogic design functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The programmable logic device is divided into multiple independent power domains, each capable of operating at different voltage levels. This segmentation allows different regions of the device to be powered independently, enabling low-power operation in non-critical regions while maintaining full voltage operation in critical regions, thus resolving the contradiction between power reduction and functionality preservation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different voltage levels are applied to different power domains based on their specific functional requirements. Critical logic paths receive higher voltage for reliable operation, while non-critical paths operate at lower voltages for reduced power consumption. This local differentiation of voltage quality allows the system to optimize power consumption without compromising overall functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Use of energy by moving object

If multiple voltage domains are implemented to allow independent power control, then power consumption can be optimized, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidpower domain management

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power domain controller is designed to manage multiple voltage domains through a unified control interface and standardized voltage regulation architecture. This multi-functional approach allows a single control mechanism to handle diverse power domain requirements, reducing the overall complexity that would otherwise arise from implementing separate control systems for each voltage domain

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20220116045A1Power Allocation using Multiple Voltage Domains for Programmable Logic Devices

Publication Date: 2022.04.14 ALTERA CORP

AI summary

An integrated circuit device that includes programmable logic circuitry that includes a plurality of regions each configured to operate at different voltage levels. The regions may be separated by level shifters that enable communication between the different voltage level regions. The integrated circuitry may also include software that performs voltage aware placement and routing for a user register-transfer level design, and may direct logic to regions according to voltages defined for the regions.