Semiconductor Power Gating Circuit for Leakage Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Semiconductor apparatuses face challenges in reducing power consumption due to circuits that consume power even when not operating, leading to inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a state storage circuit to generate power gating signals that control the provision or blocking of power supply voltages to internal operation circuits using switches, allowing for dynamic management of power consumption based on operational states and environmental conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If power supply voltage is continuously provided to all circuits, then circuit operation reliability is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the power supply state changeable based on operational needs. The power gating circuit dynamically switches between providing and blocking power supply voltage to internal circuits according to their operational state, transitioning from a static always-on power supply to a dynamic conditional power supply that adapts to circuit requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating power supply treatment across different circuits or circuit regions. Instead of uniformly providing power to all circuits, the power gating circuit selectively provides power only to specific internal circuits that require operation, while blocking power to others, thereby creating localized power supply quality differences based on operational necessity.
2Use of energy by moving object
If power supply voltage is blocked to non-operational circuits, then power consumption is reduced, but circuit reliability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback through the state storage circuit that monitors the operational state of internal circuits and provides feedback signals to the power gating circuit. This feedback mechanism ensures that power supply voltage is blocked only when circuits are genuinely non-operational, maintaining reliability by preventing power blocking to circuits that still require operation while achieving power savings for truly idle circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the power supply state changeable based on operational needs. The power gating circuit dynamically switches between providing and blocking power supply voltage to internal circuits according to their operational state, transitioning from a static always-on power supply to a dynamic conditional power supply that adapts to circuit requirements.
3Use of energy by moving object
If state storage circuit and power gating circuit are added, then power consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the state storage circuit and power gating circuit to serve multiple functions. The state storage circuit not only stores operational state information but also generates control signals for power gating. The power gating circuit simultaneously blocks power to non-operational circuits and provides power to operational circuits, consolidating multiple power management functions into unified circuit structures that reduce overall system complexity despite adding power management capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor apparatus includes a state storage circuit configured to store information depending on a plurality of signals, and output the stored information as a power gating signal. The semiconductor apparatus may include a power gating circuit configured to provide or block a power supply voltage to an internal operation circuit as a driving voltage in response to the power gating signal.