Semiconductor Integrated Circuit Power Supply Noise Suppression

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing semiconductor integrated circuit designs face challenges in reducing power supply noise and increasing power efficiency due to increased current fluctuations, which lead to increased die size and cost, as well as limitations on power reduction techniques when using capacitors for noise suppression.

Innovation Solution

A semiconductor integrated circuit with a power supply noise suppression circuit that monitors current fluctuations in user circuit modules and controls their operation ratios to shift current fluctuations away from resonant frequencies, thereby reducing power supply noise and allowing for more effective power reduction techniques.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If power reduction techniques (clock gating, RAM macro chip enable control) are applied to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but current fluctuation increases leading to increased power supply noise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidpower supply noise

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply noise suppression circuit monitors the operation ratios of multiple circuit modules and uses this feedback information to control their operation ratios. By continuously monitoring and adjusting based on real-time operation status, the system suppresses current fluctuations that cause power supply noise while maintaining power reduction benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The invention dynamically changes the operation ratios of circuit modules based on monitored conditions. By adjusting operation ratios rather than simply enabling/disabling modules, the system can smooth current fluctuations and reduce power supply noise while still achieving power consumption reduction through selective operation control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If capacitors are mounted on die, package, or board to suppress power supply noise, then power supply noise is reduced, but die size and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply noiseVSAvoiddie size

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the passive mechanical approach of mounting physical capacitors with an active electronic control system. The power supply noise suppression circuit uses operational control of circuit modules to suppress current fluctuations, substituting electronic control for physical noise suppression components, thereby reducing die size and eliminating the need for additional capacitors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If capacitors are mounted on die, package, or board to suppress power supply noise, then power supply noise is reduced, but the number of capacitors and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply noiseVSAvoidnumber of capacitors

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The power supply noise suppression circuit performs multiple functions: it monitors operation ratios of circuit modules, determines optimal operation ratios, controls circuit module operations, and suppresses power supply noise. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate noise suppression components like capacitors, reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If operation ratio control is used to suppress power supply noise, then power supply noise is reduced and capacitor requirements are minimized, but circuit complexity increases due to monitoring and control mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply noiseVSAvoidcontrol circuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply noise suppression circuit is integrated within the semiconductor integrated circuit itself, merging the noise suppression function with the existing circuit modules. By combining monitoring and control functions into a unified circuit that works with the existing modules, the invention reduces overall complexity compared to adding separate external control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9071250B2Semiconductor integrated circuit and control method for the same

Publication Date: 2015.06.30 FUJITSU LTD

AI summary

A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a user circuit and a power supply noise suppression circuit. The user circuit includes a plurality of circuit modules each containing an operation ratio control circuit. The power supply noise suppression circuit judges an amount of current fluctuation occurring in the user circuit by monitoring an operation ratio of each of the plurality of circuit modules, and controls, via each of the operation ratio control circuits, the operation ratio of a corresponding one of the circuit modules in accordance with a result of the judgment of the amount of current fluctuation.