Semiconductor Core Heat Source Identification via Power Consumption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Temperature interference between adjacent cores in semiconductor devices can lead to inefficient heat generation control, as the heat generation control may unnecessarily limit the function of non-source modules, making it difficult to accurately identify and manage heat sources.
Innovation Solution
The semiconductor device employs a control circuit that uses temperature sensors and power consumption calculations to determine if a temperature abnormality is caused by the module itself, allowing for selective heat generation control by adjusting clock frequency and source voltage based on calculated power consumption values, thereby identifying the appropriate module for heat management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If temperature sensors are allocated for each core to enable heat generation control, then heat generation control capability is improved, but temperature interference between adjacent cores occurs causing inaccurate heat source identification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the heat generation control by dividing the detection into two independent parts: temperature detection (by temperature sensors) and power consumption detection (by power consumption detection units). This segmentation allows each detection unit to focus on its specific measurement without interference from adjacent components, resolving the temperature interference problem while maintaining comprehensive heat generation control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces power consumption detection units as an intermediary mechanism to indirectly identify heat sources. Instead of relying solely on temperature sensors that are subject to thermal interference, the system uses power consumption data as a mediator to determine which module is the actual heat generation source, thereby improving identification accuracy without sacrificing control capability.
2Area of stationary object
If heat generation control is executed based on temperature sensor data from adjacent cores, then temperature monitoring coverage is improved, but unnecessary function limitation occurs in non-source modules
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into independent control decisions for each module. The determination unit evaluates both temperature and power consumption data separately for each module, enabling precise identification of the actual heat source. This segmentation ensures that only the module with both high temperature and high power consumption (the true heat source) undergoes frequency throttling, preventing unnecessary performance degradation in adjacent non-source modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality control by making heat generation control decisions specific to each module based on its own temperature and power consumption characteristics. Rather than applying uniform control to all modules in a thermal region, the system tailors control actions to the actual heat source identified through combined detection, ensuring that performance is maintained in non-source modules while effectively managing heat in source modules.
3Device complexity
If only temperature sensor data is used for heat generation control, then system complexity is reduced, but accurate identification of actual heat source becomes difficult due to temperature interference
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into two simple, independent units: temperature sensors for thermal detection and power consumption detection units for power measurement. Each unit performs a single, focused function without complex integration. The determination unit then combines these segmented detection results through logical comparison to identify heat sources, maintaining overall system simplicity while achieving accurate heat source identification through multi-parameter correlation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs partial action by using power consumption detection only when temperature elevation is detected. The system does not continuously monitor power consumption for all modules at full complexity, but rather activates power consumption detection selectively for modules showing temperature anomalies. This partial application of detection reduces overall system complexity while providing sufficient accuracy for heat source identification.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables precise heat generation control by accurately identifying the heat source and reducing unnecessary performance deterioration, improving the efficiency of heat management in semiconductor devices.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the circuit
Implementation Method 2
a controller configured to control a frequency of the clock based on a temporal difference of power consumption of the circuit
Data Source
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AI summary
The semiconductor device includes a plurality of cores, a sensor for detecting a temperature, and a control circuit configured to obtain each power consumption of the respective cores so as to select the core as a control object in accordance with the obtained power consumption.