Sequential Power Gating for Functional Units to Limit Inrush Current
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices experience unstable supply voltage and unnecessary power consumption due to simultaneous powering of all functional units, leading to inrush current and power loss as complexity increases.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a controller, clock generator, and operation interfaces that generate and transmit operation instructions and clock enable signals to enable functional units sequentially, allowing each unit to receive power only when necessary, thereby reducing power loss and stabilizing the supply voltage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all functional units are powered on simultaneously, then the electronic device can operate all functions immediately, but this causes huge inrush current and unstable supply voltage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by generating clock enable signals before powering on functional units. The controller generates clock enable signals that sequentially enable different functional units through the clock generator, ensuring that units are powered on in a controlled sequence rather than simultaneously, thereby preventing inrush current and voltage instability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the power-on process by dividing functional units into different groups that are powered on sequentially. Each functional unit or group is controlled by separate clock enable signals, allowing the system to divide the simultaneous power-on event into multiple staged events, reducing the peak current demand
2Productivity
If all functional units are powered on at the same time, then the device is ready for any operation, but functional units waiting for instructions consume unnecessary power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the power state of functional units dynamic rather than static. Functional units are powered on only when their corresponding clock enable signals are generated by the controller, allowing the system to adapt power consumption to actual operational needs. Units remain in a low-power state until required, then are dynamically activated
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic action through clock enable signals that are generated at specific times when functional units are needed. Rather than continuous power supply to all units, the controller periodically activates specific units by generating clock enable signals at appropriate moments, reducing unnecessary power consumption while maintaining operational capability
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes a controller, a clock generator, a first operation interface and a first functional unit. The controller generates a first clock enable signal, and then generates a first operation instruction. The clock generator generates a first clock according to the first clock enable signal. The first operation interface generates a first power supply signal according to the first clock, and translates the first operation instruction into a first operation signal. The first functional unit is enabled according to the first power supply signal, and starts to operate according to the first operation signal.