Semiconductor Power Management via Selective PMA Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Semiconductor devices that support PCIe face high power consumption in low power modes due to the need to supply power to multiple physical medium attachment sub-layers (PMAs) even when not actively used.

Innovation Solution

A semiconductor device design that allows wake-up and power management using only one input/output circuit, detecting entry and exit signals to block or restore power to other PMAs, reducing overall power consumption by entering a power saving mode and independently controlling power states across multiple lanes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If power is supplied to all PMAs in low power mode, then wake-up capability is maintained, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewake-up capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the PMA components into multiple power domains, allowing selective powering of only the necessary portions (one PMA for wake-up detection) while keeping others in a lower power state. This segmentation enables the system to maintain wake-up capability through a single powered PMA rather than requiring all PMAs to remain fully powered.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by powering only one PMA instead of all PMAs during low power mode. This partial powering is sufficient to detect wake-up signals and initiate system recovery, while avoiding the excessive power consumption that would result from maintaining all PMAs in a fully powered state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple PMAs are kept in standby state, then data transmission capability is maintained, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the PMA functionality into wake-up detection functions and data transmission functions. During low power mode, only the wake-up detection function is active in one PMA, while data transmission functions in other PMAs are suspended. This allows the system to maintain the capability to resume data transmission without keeping all PMAs fully powered.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary wake-up detection using a single powered PMA before activating other PMAs for data transmission. This preliminary action allows the system to verify the need for data transmission and prepare necessary resources before fully powering up the data transmission paths, thereby avoiding unnecessary power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9804987B2Semiconductor device for reducing power consumption in low power mode and system including same

Publication Date: 2017.10.31 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A semiconductor device can reduce power consumption in a low power mode and includes a first input/output circuit configured to detect a first entry signal transiting at a first time and output a detection signal indicating an entry into a power saving mode according to a result of the detection. A second input/output circuit is configured to receive a second entry signal transiting at a second time earlier than the first time, and a control circuit is configured to block power supplied to the second input/output circuit in response to the detection signal indicating the entry.