Semiconductor Integrated Circuit Power Control via Current Ratio Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current semiconductor integrated circuit devices face challenges in reducing power consumption due to increasing leakage power, as they require extensive association tables for controlling power supply voltage and threshold voltage, which complicates the fabrication process and increases manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating switching current observation, leakage current observation, and threshold voltage control mechanisms to maintain a constant ratio of switching current to leakage current, allowing dynamic control of threshold voltage and power supply voltage without the need for extensive association tables, thereby optimizing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If association tables are used to control power supply voltage and substrate bias voltage, then power consumption can be reduced, but the fabrication process becomes complicated and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The semiconductor integrated circuit device automatically determines and adjusts its own power supply voltage and threshold voltage based on real-time switching current and leakage current measurements, eliminating the need for external association tables and complex fabrication processes. The device serves itself by internally optimizing its operating parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention dynamically changes the operating parameters (power supply voltage and threshold voltage) based on measured current ratios, allowing the device to adapt to different operating conditions and minimize power consumption without requiring pre-determined association tables.
2Reliability
If association tables with extensive data are prepared, then optimal power supply voltage and substrate bias voltage can be controlled, but the fabrication process is greatly complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The device internally determines the optimal operating point by measuring its own switching current and leakage current, eliminating the need for extensive external data tables. The self-service mechanism replaces complex data requirements with simple real-time measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses feedback from current measurements to automatically adjust power supply voltage and threshold voltage. The comparator continuously monitors the switching current to leakage current ratio and adjusts parameters accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that eliminates the need for pre-stored association tables.
3Use of energy by moving object
If threshold voltage is controlled using association tables, then power consumption is reduced, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device autonomously determines the optimal threshold voltage by measuring its own switching current and leakage current characteristics, eliminating the need for costly pre-characterization and association tables. Each device optimizes itself based on its unique manufacturing variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention dynamically adjusts the threshold voltage parameter based on real-time current measurements, allowing each device to optimize its power consumption according to its specific characteristics without requiring expensive pre-determined parameter sets.
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 minimizes operational power while ensuring operating speed and stability, reducing the impact of manufacturing variations and environmental changes, and simplifying the fabrication process.
Implementation Method 1
leakage current observation means for observing a leakage current in the semiconductor integrated circuit device
Implementation Method 2
switching current observation means for observing a switching current in the semiconductor integrated circuit device
Implementation Method 3
threshold voltage control means for controlling a threshold voltage of a circuit element to make a ratio of the switching current and the leakage current constant
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor integrated circuit device includes: a switching current observer for observing a switching current; a leakage current observer for observing a leakage current; a comparator which compares the switching current and the leakage current with each other; a threshold voltage controller for controlling a substrate bias voltage in order to make a ratio of the switching current and the leakage current constant; a delay observer for observing a delay amount; and a power supply voltage controller for controlling a power supply voltage in order to keep the delay amount in a predetermined range. In the semiconductor integrated circuit device, a process which enables the minimization of an operation power is carried out by controlling the threshold voltage to make the ratio of the switching current and the leakage current constant at a given clock frequency and controlling the power supply voltage to guarantee the operating speed.