Semiconductor Integrated Circuit Residency Monitoring for Lifetime Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Semiconductor integrated circuits face reduced reliability and shortened lifetime due to unforecasted operating states, which lead to uneven stress and performance, affecting their predicted residency and overall functionality.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor integrated circuit with a residency monitoring and control system that adjusts operating states based on monitored residency ratios, using a core circuit, voltage regulator, clock generator, power controller, and residency controller to inhibit specific states when predetermined residency values are reached, thereby managing residencies to maintain design values and extend lifetime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the semiconductor integrated circuit operates at high-performance state, then the performance is improved, but the lifetime is shortened due to largest stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of operating states based on real-time residency monitoring. The system transitions from static performance settings to dynamic state management, where the controller adjusts voltage and frequency levels according to accumulated residency ratios, enabling the circuit to adapt between high-performance and low-stress states optimally
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback control by continuously monitoring the residency ratio of each operating state and using this information to control future state transitions. When the residency ratio of a high-performance state reaches a predetermined threshold, the system receives feedback to inhibit further transitions to that state, thereby preventing excessive stress accumulation
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the semiconductor integrated circuit operates at low-performance state, then the lifetime is extended, but the performance is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by allowing the circuit to operate in high-performance states when residency ratios are below thresholds, rather than constantly restricting to low-performance states. This enables the system to achieve sufficient performance for many operations while only limiting performance when necessary to prevent stress accumulation
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic monitoring and control of operating states based on residency accumulation. Rather than maintaining a fixed low-performance state, the circuit periodically evaluates residency ratios and adjusts performance levels accordingly, creating a rhythmic pattern of high and low-performance operation that balances performance needs with lifetime extension
3Productivity
If the operating states are not controlled according to residency, then the performance can be maximized, but the reliability is lowered due to unforecasted operating states
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by establishing predetermined residency thresholds before operation begins. These thresholds are set during design based on reliability requirements and stress characteristics, allowing the system to proactively prevent unreliable operating conditions before they occur rather than reacting to failures after they happen
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback control to maintain reliability by continuously monitoring actual residency ratios against predetermined thresholds. When thresholds are approached, feedback signals trigger state inhibition to prevent unreliable operating conditions, ensuring the circuit operates within forecasted and reliable parameter ranges
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are an operating method of a semiconductor integrated circuit and a semiconductor integrated circuit which includes a core circuit. The operating method includes: monitoring respective residencies of operating states of the core circuit; and controlling the operating states of the core circuit according to the monitored residencies of the operating states.