Semiconductor Clock Gating Circuit with Full Handshake Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
As semiconductor devices increase in integration density and operating speed, low power consumption becomes crucial to prevent overheating and malfunction, as high power consumption can damage the chip, especially in the trend towards lighter, thinner, and more compact system-on-chips (SoCs).
Innovation Solution
The semiconductor device incorporates a clock management unit with a full handshake method for clock gating, allowing for the sequential disabling of clock signals to unused IP blocks, reducing power consumption by automatically switching off unused components without causing operational errors, and a power management unit that controls power supply to further minimize energy use during standby modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If integration density and operating speed of SoC are increased, then performance is improved, but power consumption increases causing overheating and malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the SoC into multiple independent IP blocks (e.g., first IP block, second IP block) each with its own clock gating circuit. This allows selective activation of only the necessary blocks based on operational requirements, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining high performance for active components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic clock gating control where clock signals are selectively enabled or disabled based on operational states. The clock gating circuits periodically adjust clock distribution to inactive IP blocks, creating a dynamic power management rhythm that reduces energy consumption during standby or low-activity periods.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple IP blocks are integrated on a single chip, then functionality is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the integrated chip into separate IP blocks (first IP block, second IP block) with independent clock gating circuits. Each block can be independently controlled, allowing the system to activate only the necessary blocks for current functionality, thereby maintaining versatility while reducing power consumption for inactive blocks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic clock gating control mechanisms that adjust power supply to IP blocks based on real-time operational needs. The clock gating circuits dynamically enable or disable clocks to different blocks, transforming the static power consumption model into a dynamic one that adapts to changing functional requirements.
3Use of energy by moving object
If clock gating is implemented to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but complexity of clock management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs clock gating circuits that serve multiple functions: they gate clock signals to IP blocks, manage power consumption, and coordinate with channel management circuits for full handshake protocol. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated circuits, thereby managing complexity while achieving power reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces channel management circuits as intermediaries between IP blocks and clock gating circuits. These intermediaries handle the full handshake protocol and coordinate clock gating operations, simplifying the overall clock management complexity by centralizing control logic in dedicated intermediary components.
4Reliability
If full handshake method is used for clock management, then reliability of clock distribution is improved, but communication overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs channel management circuits as intermediaries that implement the full handshake protocol between IP blocks and clock gating circuits. These intermediaries manage the reliability-critical communication, ensuring proper clock distribution while containing the communication overhead within dedicated handshake management logic rather than requiring complex point-to-point protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor device includes a first clock generating circuit including a first control circuit and a first clock gating circuit, a first channel management circuit which communicates with the first clock generating circuit according to a full handshake method, a second clock generating circuit including a second control circuit and a second clock gating circuit, and a second channel management circuit which communicates with the second clock generating circuit according to the full handshake method. The first clock gating circuit outputs a first clock, and the second clock gating circuit outputs a second clock different from the first clock.