Programmable Power Rails for IC Cell Placement Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional integrated circuit (IC) design techniques face challenges in minimizing power consumption and leakage, particularly at smaller process geometries, due to limitations in power management strategies like multi-voltage transistors and power shut-off methods, which lead to sub-optimal cell placement, timing issues, and increased design complexity.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a circuit and method that allows standard cells to be connected to multiple power rails with independent voltages, enabling flexible cell placement and reducing the dependency on predefined power domains or voltage areas, using dynamic rail pins that can be reconfigured post-route to optimize power management and minimize time delays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional power management techniques (multi-voltage transistors, power shut-off) are used, then power consumption is reduced, but cell placement flexibility is limited and timing issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power rail configuration where standard cells can be selectively connected to different power rails (first power rail, second power rail, or both) based on operational requirements. This dynamic connectivity allows cells to transition between active and powered-down states flexibly, enabling optimized power consumption without fixed placement constraints, thereby resolving the contradiction between power reduction and placement flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal power distribution architecture where any standard cell can potentially connect to multiple power rails through reconfigurable interconnects. This multi-functionality allows the same cell type to serve different power domain requirements, eliminating the need for specialized cells in specific locations and thus improving both power efficiency and placement flexibility
2Device complexity
If predefined power domains or voltage areas are used, then power management is simplified, but design complexity increases and timing delays are minimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power distribution network into multiple independent power rails (first power rail, second power rail) that can be independently configured and connected to standard cells. This segmentation allows fine-grained power management where cells can be powered from different rails based on timing and power requirements, reducing timing delays while maintaining manageable design complexity through modular power domain organization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a temporal dimension to power rail connectivity by enabling reconfigurable connections that can change during operation. Cells can dynamically switch between different power rails based on operational mode, allowing timing-critical paths to use optimally positioned power connections while non-critical paths use simpler connections, thus reducing timing delays without proportionally increasing design complexity
3Adaptability or versatility
If standard cells are connected to multiple power rails with independent voltages, then cell placement flexibility is enhanced, but power consumption control becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms through reconfigurable interconnects that monitor power consumption and timing requirements of standard cells. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts which power rail each cell connects to, ensuring optimal power consumption control while maintaining placement flexibility. The feedback loop allows the system to learn from operational patterns and optimize power distribution accordingly
Data Source
AI summary
Circuits, architectures, a system and methods for providing multiple power rails to a plurality of standard cells in a region of an integrated circuit. The circuitry generally includes a plurality of cells configured for connection to a first or second power rail, the first power rail providing a first voltage to at least one of the plurality of cells, and the second power rail providing a second voltage (which may be independent from the first voltage) to remaining cells in the plurality of cells. The method generally includes routing, in an IC layout, a first power rail providing a first voltage and a second power rail providing a second voltage, placing the plurality of cells, and selectively connecting first and second subsets of the plurality of cells to the first and second power rails, respectively. The present invention further advantageously minimizes regional layout design considerations and time delays.