Semiconductor Device Current Optimization via Stored Characterization Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Semiconductor devices face challenges in optimizing operating currents, leading to inefficient power consumption and potential reliability issues due to self-heating, as existing technologies lack effective methods to correlate and control operating conditions with current consumption.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor device with a storage circuit that stores operating conditions and corresponding currents, allowing the system control circuit to read and distribute optimal currents based on stored data, thereby reducing power consumption and improving performance by correlating operating modes, temperatures, frequencies, and voltages with current supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If semiconductor devices operate at higher currents to improve performance, then processing speed and computational capability are improved, but power consumption increases and self-heating effects worsen reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by storing operating current data corresponding to different operating conditions (temperature, voltage, frequency) in the semiconductor device. The system dynamically adjusts operating parameters based on stored characterization data, allowing optimal current selection for given conditions to minimize power consumption while maintaining required performance levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system reads stored operating current data based on current operating conditions, and uses this information to adjust power supply or operating parameters. This closed-loop approach enables real-time optimization of the balance between performance and power consumption.
2Speed
If semiconductor devices operate at higher currents to improve performance, then processing speed is improved, but self-heating causes reliability degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback by incorporating temperature detection and using stored operating current data to adjust power supply based on actual operating conditions. This allows the system to detect thermal conditions and adjust current levels accordingly, preventing excessive self-heating while maintaining performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by pre-storing operating current characterization data that accounts for temperature and environmental effects. This advance preparation allows the system to select appropriate current levels that prevent self-heating issues before they occur, rather than reacting after thermal problems arise.
3Device complexity
If generic current supply is used for all operating conditions, then device simplicity is maintained, but power consumption optimization is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-characterizing the semiconductor device's current consumption across different operating conditions and storing this data in memory. This advance preparation eliminates the need for complex real-time calculations, allowing simple lookup and selection of appropriate current levels based on stored characterization data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating a database copy of operating current characteristics for different conditions. Instead of complex modeling or calculation, the system copies and stores measured operating data, then retrieves the appropriate values based on current operating conditions, simplifying the control approach while enabling optimization.
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor circuit and a storage circuit. The semiconductor circuit consumes a first operating current when operating under a first operating condition and a second operating current when operating under a second operating condition. The second operating current is different from the first operating current. The storage circuit stores a correspondence between the first and second operating currents and the first and second operating conditions, respectively.