Root Clock Throttling in Clock Trees for ASIC Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic circuits face challenges in optimizing power consumption, particularly in application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) where power is dissipated by block logic, and there is a need to support continued power optimizations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a block with a clock distribution tree that dynamically controls the passage of clock pulses based on workload information, allowing only necessary clock pulses to pass through, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining standard timing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If clock pulses are continuously distributed throughout the clock distribution tree, then timing synchronization is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic clock gating that adjusts clock pulse distribution based on workload conditions. The system transitions from static continuous clock distribution to dynamic selective distribution, enabling timing synchronization only when and where needed, thereby reducing power consumption during low-activity periods while maintaining reliability when workload requires full operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different clock distribution strategies to different portions of the clock distribution tree based on local workload conditions. Rather than uniformly distributing clocks throughout the entire tree, the system selectively gates clock pulses to specific regions based on their individual activity levels, optimizing the balance between timing synchronization and power consumption locally across various tree segments
2Use of energy by moving object
If clock pulses are restricted to reduce power consumption, then power efficiency improves, but timing synchronization may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates workload detection mechanisms that provide feedback about actual activity levels to the clock gating logic. This feedback system enables the system to make informed decisions about clock pulse distribution, ensuring timing synchronization is maintained in regions where work is actually present while restricting clocks in idle regions, thus achieving both power efficiency and timing reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary workload assessment before restricting clock pulses. By detecting workload conditions in advance and predicting when timing synchronization will be needed, the system can proactively maintain clock distribution in critical paths while restricting non-critical paths, preventing timing issues before they occur while still achieving power savings
Data Source
AI summary
Various example embodiments for supporting power optimizations for electronic circuits are presented. Various example embodiments for supporting power optimizations for electronic circuits may be configured to support power optimizations for a block of an electronic circuit. Various example embodiments for supporting power optimizations for a block of an electronic circuit may be configured to support a reduction in power consumption by a clock distribution tree of the block of the electronic circuit. Various example embodiments for supporting a reduction in power consumption by a clock distribution tree of a block of an electronic circuit may be configured to reduce power consumption by the clock distribution tree of the block of the electronic circuit by supporting root clock throttling for the block of the electronic circuit, based on a workload on the block of the electronic circuit, to reduce power consumption by the clock distribution tree of the block of the electronic circuit.