SOC Interface Circuit Dynamic Power State Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
As the complexity and number of components on System on a Chip (SOC) increase, it becomes challenging for devices to meet energy efficiency requirements, necessitating a technique to reduce power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The dynamic control of interface circuits in SOCs to transition communication devices into low power states during idle modes, reducing unnecessary power consumption while maintaining communication functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number and complexity of components on SOCs increase to enhance functionality, then device capabilities improve, but power consumption increases making it difficult to meet energy efficiency requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The interface circuit dynamically adjusts the operational state of communication devices based on traffic conditions. During idle modes, communication devices are transitioned to low power states, while during active communication, they operate at full capacity. This dynamic state adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting power consumption to actual usage requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of communication devices by transitioning them between different power states (active and low power states). This parameter change allows the system to maintain full functionality when needed while reducing power consumption during idle periods, thereby resolving the energy efficiency challenge.
2Speed
If communication devices remain in active state to ensure immediate communication responsiveness, then communication speed improves, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interface circuit periodically monitors traffic conditions and transitions communication devices between active and low power states accordingly. This periodic adjustment allows the system to maintain responsiveness when traffic is detected while conserving energy during idle periods, resolving the speed-power consumption contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches communication devices between operational states based on real-time traffic conditions. This dynamic approach ensures that devices are active and responsive only when necessary, reducing power consumption during idle modes while maintaining communication speed when needed.
3Reliability
If all communication devices are kept operational to handle potential traffic, then system reliability improves, but unnecessary power consumption occurs during idle modes
Solution Approach 1:
The interface circuit applies different operational qualities to different communication devices based on local traffic conditions. Devices that are currently handling traffic remain active, while those in idle modes are transitioned to low power states. This localized quality adjustment maintains reliability for active communications while eliminating unnecessary power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of keeping all communication devices in a low power state (which would compromise reliability), the system applies partial action by maintaining only the necessary subset of devices in active state based on actual traffic requirements. This partial action approach ensures reliability where needed while reducing overall power consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for a given device may include a plurality of systems on a chip (SOCs). Each SOC may include an interface circuit and a bridge circuit for communicating with other SOCs. The interface circuit of an SOC may include a plurality of communication devices to transfer data packets from/to the SOC to the other SOCs. The bridge circuit may provide various control functions for the interface circuit. An indication may be generated when the system enters an idle mode. In response, the bridge circuit may generate signal(s) to cause some of the communication devices of the interface circuit into a low power state. The interface circuit may obtain the signal(s) and accordingly transition some of the communication devices to the low power state.