Semiconductor IC Power Domain Voltage Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for restoring power supply in semiconductor integrated circuits often result in increased power consumption during initialization due to unstable voltage conditions and the need for lengthy reset times, which are difficult to optimize for varying sub-systems.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor integrated circuit design that includes a power supply control unit, a detection unit to stabilize the power supply voltage, and an initialization unit that starts clock supply only when the voltage is stable, allowing for efficient initialization with reduced power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If power supply is shut off to reduce power consumption, then power saving is achieved, but the sub-system cannot be restored quickly due to initialization requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply voltage stabilization is performed preliminarily before clock supply is initiated. The detection unit checks if the power supply voltage has stabilized before allowing the initialization unit to start clock supply, ensuring that initialization occurs only under stable voltage conditions. This preliminary stabilization action prevents the need for lengthy reset times while enabling quick restoration.
2Speed
If clock is supplied during unstable voltage state for quick initialization, then restoration speed is improved, but power consumption increases and system reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection unit continuously monitors the power supply voltage and provides feedback to the initialization unit. Only when the feedback indicates that the voltage has stabilized does the initialization unit proceed to supply clocks. This feedback mechanism ensures that initialization occurs at the optimal moment, achieving fast restoration without excessive power consumption or reliability issues.
3Reliability
If reset time is set long to account for voltage stabilization, then system reliability is improved, but power consumption during initialization increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reset time is not fixed but dynamically adjusted based on the actual power supply voltage stabilization time. The detection unit measures the actual stabilization time for each power supply control target unit, and the initialization unit adapts the clock supply timing accordingly. This dynamic approach ensures reliable initialization while minimizing power consumption by avoiding unnecessarily long reset times.
Data Source
AI summary
In a semiconductor integrated circuit having a power domain and a mechanism for a power supply shutoff, when a power supply to the power domain is started, if a clock for an initialization operation is supplied in a state where a voltage to the power domain is unstable, power consumption during the initialization operation increases. Thus, the clock for the initialization operation of the power domain is supplied after detecting that the voltage supplied to the power domain is stabilized.