Semiconductor Power Control via Dynamic Function Block Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current power consumption control technologies in semiconductor integrated circuit devices face challenges in managing power distribution efficiently among function blocks, leading to increased power consumption, potential overheating, and electromagnetic noise issues, especially as the number of processors and ASICs per chip increases, making it difficult to maintain operation within power budget constraints.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor integrated circuit device with a power consumption control unit that schedules function blocks to operate within a supplyable power budget, using a system of link lists to manage power modes, clock distribution, and voltage supply, allowing for flexible addition and deletion of function blocks and precise power management to prevent overheating and electromagnetic noise exceedance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of processors and ASICs per chip is increased to enhance processing capacity, then productivity is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power management by introducing a power consumption control unit that schedules function blocks based on actual processing needs. The system dynamically adjusts the operational state of function blocks between active, low-power, and stop modes, allowing the chip to adapt its power consumption to the current workload. This resolves the contradiction by enabling high productivity when needed while consuming minimal power during idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the power consumption parameter of function blocks by controlling their operational states. The power consumption control unit monitors total power consumption and adjusts individual function block parameters (operational mode) to maintain power within budget constraints. This allows the system to achieve high processing capacity when power is available while preventing excessive power consumption through parameter adjustment.
2Use of energy by moving object
If power source voltage is made low to reduce power consumption, then use of energy is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to increased leakage current
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic monitoring and control of power consumption. The power consumption control unit periodically evaluates the total power consumption of function blocks and adjusts their operational states accordingly. This periodic action allows the system to maintain low power consumption while ensuring reliability by preventing leakage current from becoming excessive, as the system can transition function blocks between states based on current conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The power consumption control unit autonomously manages the power distribution and operational states of function blocks without external intervention. It self-regulates the power consumption by scheduling function blocks and adjusting their states based on internal monitoring, thereby maintaining the balance between low power consumption and reliability through self-service control.
3Use of energy by moving object
If function blocks are scheduled to operate within power budget constraints to reduce power consumption, then use of energy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power consumption control unit serves multiple functions: it monitors total power consumption, schedules function blocks, determines operational states, and manages power distribution. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single control unit, the patent reduces the overall device complexity while achieving effective power management. The universal control unit handles all power-related control tasks, preventing the need for separate complex control mechanisms for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The power consumption control unit acts as an intermediary between the power source and the function blocks. It mediates the power distribution by scheduling function blocks and controlling their operational states based on power budget constraints. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall system architecture by providing a centralized control point, thereby managing power consumption without proportionally increasing device complexity.
4Productivity
If the threshold voltage is made low to increase operation frequency, then productivity is improved, but use of energy worsens due to increased leakage current
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the operational state of function blocks based on the threshold voltage settings and current workload. When threshold voltage is lowered to increase operation frequency, the power consumption control unit dynamically transitions function blocks between active, low-power, and stop modes to compensate for increased leakage current. This dynamic adjustment maintains productivity while managing the energy penalty associated with low threshold voltage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of function blocks in response to threshold voltage adjustments. When threshold voltage is lowered to boost operation frequency, the power consumption control unit changes the operational state parameters of function blocks to maintain overall power consumption within acceptable limits, thereby balancing productivity improvement with energy management.
Data Source
AI summary
To perform execution scheduling of function blocks so as to control the total required power of the function blocks within a supplyable power budget value, and thereby realize stable operations at low power consumption. Function block identifiers are allotted to all the function blocks, and to a RAM area that a power consumption control device can read and write, a list to store identifiers and task priority, power mode value showing power states, and power mode time showing the holding time of power states can be linked. A single or plural link lists for controlling the schedules of tasks operating on the function blocks, a link list for controlling the function block in execution currently in high power mode, a link list for controlling the function block in stop currently in stop mode, and a link list for controlling the function block in execution currently in low power mode are allotted, and thereby the power source and the operation clock are controlled by the power consumption control device.