Regional Voltage and Clock Control for Critical Path Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated circuits with programmable logic fabric face challenges in identifying optimal operating voltages and clock frequencies due to design variability, leading to inefficient power consumption and potential overheating.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a control unit in each region of the integrated circuit that adjusts voltage and clocking based on target speed and criticality values stored in memory, allowing for reduced power consumption while maintaining sufficient operating speed by dynamically controlling power regulators and compensating for clock delays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If voltage is reduced to lower power consumption, then power consumption decreases, but operating speed may become insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated circuit is divided into multiple regions, each with independent voltage control. The circuit is further segmented into critical and non-critical paths, allowing selective voltage adjustment. Only non-critical regions operate at reduced voltage while critical regions maintain full voltage, resolving the contradiction between power savings and speed requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Different voltage levels are applied to different regions based on their specific requirements. Critical paths receive higher voltage to maintain speed, while non-critical paths operate at lower voltage for power savings. This local differentiation allows the system to optimize both power consumption and operating speed simultaneously.
2Reliability
If voltage is reduced to extend circuit lifespan, then reliability improves, but clock frequency may become insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts voltage and clock frequency based on operational requirements. During low-power modes, voltage is reduced to extend lifespan while clock frequency is scaled down proportionally. During high-performance modes, both voltage and frequency are increased to meet performance demands, resolving the contradiction between reliability and speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operating parameters (voltage and frequency) based on workload requirements. By implementing multiple operating points with different voltage-frequency combinations, the system can optimize for either lifespan extension or performance as needed, rather than being constrained to a fixed operating point.
3Use of energy by moving object
If regional voltage control is implemented to optimize power consumption, then power efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Critical and non-critical paths are identified and tagged during the design and compilation phase. This preliminary classification allows the runtime system to simply follow pre-determined control signals without complex real-time analysis, reducing the actual runtime control complexity while maintaining power efficiency benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
Each region is equipped with control logic that automatically responds to global control signals. The regions self-regulate their voltage based on the criticality information embedded in their design, eliminating the need for complex centralized control and reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated circuit include multiple regions, wherein at least one region includes a control circuit. The control circuit receives a target voltage value to supply to the region that enables the region to operate at a target speed. The control circuit also receives a first criticality value of a first path of a design programmed in the region. The first criticality value is based on a first propagation time of the first path and a first allowable time to traverse the first path while enabling the region to operate at the target speed. The control circuit further instructs a power regulator to supply voltage to the region based at least in part on the target voltage value and the first criticality value. The integrated circuit also includes the power regulator communicatively coupled to the at least one region. The power regulator supplies power to the at least one region.