Semiconductor Device Control Circuit for Power Supply Noise Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing semiconductor devices face challenges in effectively suppressing power supply noise due to variations in circuit current, particularly as transistor size decreases and the number of cores increases, making it difficult to maintain the supply voltage within the guaranteed operating range and prevent circuit malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor device with an arithmetic circuit that executes arithmetic operations on input data when an arithmetic command is present in the command sequence, and on dummy data when the command sequence is in a specific state that may cause power supply noise, thereby increasing the circuit current in the ground state and reducing the difference between peak and ground state currents, thus suppressing noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If transistor size is miniaturized and number of cores is increased to improve processing power, then productivity is improved, but power supply noise increases due to larger current variation
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit performs preliminary detection of the command sequence to identify no-operation commands before they are executed. Based on this preliminary analysis, the control circuit proactively switches the arithmetic unit to a power saving operation mode in advance, preventing large current variations before they occur. This anticipatory control resolves the contradiction by maintaining processing throughput while preemptively suppressing power supply noise.
2Loss of energy
If clock signal is disabled to stop arithmetic unit operation for power saving, then power consumption is reduced, but power supply noise suppression becomes insufficient when transitioning from stopped state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic operation modes for the arithmetic unit: a normal operation mode for regular processing, a power saving operation mode for suppressing current variations during transitions, and a stopped state for idle periods. The control circuit dynamically switches between these modes based on real-time analysis of the command sequence, enabling adaptive power management that suppresses power supply noise during state transitions while maintaining power efficiency during steady-state operation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If arithmetic unit continuously operates to maintain current level, then power supply noise is suppressed, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit autonomously analyzes the command sequence to identify no-operation commands and automatically switches the arithmetic unit to the power saving operation mode without external intervention. This self-service mechanism enables the system to maintain low power consumption during idle periods by keeping the arithmetic unit in power saving mode, while automatically activating noise suppression when needed, thereby resolving the contradiction between continuous operation and power efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor device includes an arithmetic circuit executing an arithmetic operation regarding input data, and a control circuit causing the arithmetic circuit to execute an arithmetic operation regarding first data that is an arithmetic operation target of an arithmetic command when the arithmetic command is included in a supplied command sequence, and causing the arithmetic circuit to execute an arithmetic operation regarding second data different from the first data when an arithmetic command is not included in the command sequence and the command sequence is in a specific state.