Sequential Circuit Activation for Transient Current Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing artificial intelligence operations face issues with excessive transient current and power consumption when multiple circuits in a chip start simultaneously, leading to hardware faults and unknown errors.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an integrated computing apparatus where each circuit starts and shuts down sequentially based on a predetermined rule, with control information sent by a first circuit to second circuits, either implicitly through data states or explicitly via dedicated enable signals, to manage the start-up and shutdown processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If all circuits are started at the same time, then parallel processing capability is achieved, but excessive transient current occurs causing hardware faults

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparallel processing capabilityVSAvoidexcessive transient current
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the simultaneous start-up process into sequential phases by dividing circuits into groups or individual units that activate in a predetermined order. The control circuit sends control information to different second circuits at different time points, transforming the single simultaneous start-up action into multiple sequential start-up actions, thereby reducing peak current while maintaining parallel processing capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Power

If all circuits are started at the same time, then full computing power is available, but excessive transient power consumption occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomputing powerVSAvoidtransient power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by having circuits start up in a predetermined sequence rather than simultaneously. The control circuit prepares and sends control information to second circuits in advance according to a predetermined rule, allowing each circuit to initialize gradually. This staged activation reduces the peak power consumption during start-up while ensuring all circuits eventually become operational to provide full computing power.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If sequential start-up is implemented, then transient current is reduced, but control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransient current controlVSAvoidcontrol mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling second circuits to autonomously respond to control information and manage their own start-up and shutdown processes. Each second circuit, upon receiving control information from the control circuit, automatically executes the required sequential activation or deactivation without requiring complex external control mechanisms, thereby simplifying the overall control architecture while achieving transient current reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Object-affected harmful factors

If sequential shutdown is implemented, then transient current is avoided, but operation time is extended

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransient current during shutdownVSAvoidshutdown time
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by organizing the sequential shutdown of second circuits into structured time periods or phases. The control circuit sends control information to different second circuits at predetermined time intervals according to a predetermined rule. This periodic control approach manages the shutdown process in organized stages, reducing transient current while minimizing the overall shutdown duration through efficient timing and scheduling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS20230259737A1Integrated computing apparatus, chip, board card, device and computing method
Publication Date: 2023.08.17 CAMBRICON TECH CO LTD
  • US20230259737A1 patent drawing
  • US20230259737A1 patent drawing
  • US20230259737A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present disclosure discloses an integrated computing apparatus, a machine learning computing apparatus, a neural network chip, a board card, an electronic device, and a method. The integrated computing apparatus is included in a combined processing apparatus. The combined processing apparatus further includes an interface apparatus and other processing apparatus. The integrated computing apparatus interacts with other processing apparatus to jointly complete a user-specified computing operation. The combined processing apparatus further includes a storage apparatus. The storage apparatus is connected to the integrated computing apparatus and other processing apparatus, respectively. The storage apparatus is used to store data of the integrated computing apparatus and other processing apparatus. The solution of the present disclosure starts and/or shuts down circuits in accordance with a predetermined rule, thus avoiding excessive transient current caused by starting the circuits at the same time.