Semiconductor Circuit Microswitch Power Domain Switching

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing semiconductor circuit designs face inefficiencies in switching power supplies due to long supply voltage lines causing voltage drops and increased area requirements, especially when using large switches outside the circuit or unevenly distributed microswitches.

Innovation Solution

Implementing microswitches designed as standard cells within the semiconductor circuit to evenly distribute power supply switching, reducing voltage drops and area usage by integrating switches directly into the standard cell design, allowing for a more homogeneous and automated design method.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If large switches are used outside the semiconductor circuit to switch power supply, then the power supply can be switched off, but the number of pins required increases and the control signal line becomes long

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply switching capabilityVSAvoidnumber of pins and control lines
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the semiconductor circuit into multiple voltage domains, each with its own microswitch. This segmentation allows independent power supply control for each domain, eliminating the need for external switches and reducing pin requirements while maintaining reliable power switching capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If switches are placed outside the semiconductor circuit, then power supply switching is achieved, but long supply voltage lines result in significant voltage drops

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply switchingVSAvoidvoltage drop on supply lines
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates microswitches directly within the semiconductor circuit fabric, changing the spatial dimension from external to internal placement. This eliminates long supply voltage lines and associated voltage drops by positioning switches adjacent to the voltage domains they control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Area of stationary object

If standard cell design is used for microswitches, then area is reduced and design automation is improved, but the switches must be carefully integrated into the circuit layout

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitch areaVSAvoidintegration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the microswitch design with the standard cell structure, combining power switching functionality with the regular circuit design methodology. This integration allows microswitches to be automatically placed and routed using standard EDA tools, reducing manual layout effort while maintaining compact area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS7503018B2Method of switching a power supply of voltage domains of a semiconductor circuit, and corresponding semiconductor circuit
Publication Date: 2009.03.10 INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
  • US7503018B2 patent drawing
  • US7503018B2 patent drawing
  • US7503018B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method of switching a power supply of at least one voltage domain of a semiconductor circuit uses at least one microswitch, which is designed in standard cell design, to switch the power supply, so that the standard cell design method can be automated. Multiple microswitches can be disposed, evenly distributed, over those areas of the semiconductor circuit in which there is a voltage domain of which the power supply is to be switched. The microswitches of a voltage domain are defined by being switched by the same control signal. A semiconductor circuit to switch the power supply of the voltage domain includes microswitches, which can be constructed as transistors.