Semiconductor Integrated Circuit Power Supply Control Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing semiconductor integrated circuits face high power consumption due to leak currents during standby modes, as the CPU domain cannot be fully powered off, leading to inefficiencies in power management.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor integrated circuit with a power supply control unit that manages power supply to multiple function blocks and the CPU, allowing for selective power-on and power-off operations based on interrupts and instructions, including the use of switch units and a power supply cutoff solving unit to prevent feedthrough currents, and employing a timer and initializing data transfer for fail-safe and efficient operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the CPU domain is kept in power supply ON status to allow control operations during mode transfer, then the system can execute control instructions, but power consumption increases due to leak currents
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply domain is segmented into multiple independent domains: CPU domain, function block domain, and power supply control unit domain. Each domain can be independently powered on or off based on operational requirements. This segmentation allows the CPU domain to be powered off during standby mode while enabling control operations in other domains, thus reducing overall power consumption without sacrificing control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply state of each domain is made dynamic rather than static. The power supply control unit can dynamically adjust the power supply state of the CPU domain and function block domains based on operational mode (operation mode or standby mode). During standby mode, the CPU domain is powered off to reduce leak currents, while during operation mode, it is powered on to execute control instructions, optimizing power consumption adaptively.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the CPU domain is powered off during standby mode, then power consumption is reduced, but control operations cannot be executed during mode transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply control unit acts as an intermediary that executes control operations independently of the CPU. It contains control circuits that can process transfer instructions and manage power supply state transitions without requiring CPU intervention. This intermediary structure enables control operations to be performed even when the CPU domain is powered off, resolving the contradiction between power savings and control capability.
3Use of energy by moving object
If power supply is cut off to reduce leak currents, then power consumption decreases, but recovery to operation mode takes longer
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply control unit performs preliminary actions by pre-managing the power supply states of different domains and preparing control circuits in advance. When a transfer to standby mode is initiated, the control unit already has the capability to rapidly power on the CPU domain when needed, reducing recovery time. The control circuits are kept ready in the power supply control unit domain, enabling quick response without requiring extensive initialization when power is restored.
Data Source
AI summary
An interrupt power supply control unit 5 monitors interrupts 11, 21, 31 issued from function blocks 1, 2, 3, and also, a power supply control instruction 41 issued from a CPU 4. When either an interrupt or an instruction is issued, the interrupt power supply control unit 5 performs a power supply control operation in accordance with a content of an interrupt power supply control table 50. In the power supply control operation, ON/OFF-control operations of power supply switches 12, 22, 32, 42 are carried out, and also, control signals 581 and 582 are outputted to power supply cutoff solving elements 81 and 82. When electric power of the power supply is supplied to a necessary function block in accordance with the power supply control operation, the interrupt power supply control unit 5 initiates the relevant function block in accordance with the content of the interrupt power supply control table 50.