SoC LDO Regulator With Header Switch Control for Power Routing Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing complexity of application processors in mobile devices leads to a higher number of power supply voltages and power routings, resulting in increased production costs and reduced power management efficiency due to the need for more off-chip load capacitors and inductors.
Innovation Solution
A system-on-chip (SoC) incorporating a low-dropout (LDO) regulator that reduces the number of power routings between the core and the power management integrated circuit (PMIC) and off-chip devices, while also controlling the on/off states of header switches based on changes in the supply voltage to regulate current effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of power supply voltages and power routings is increased to support improved application processor performance, then the processing capability is enhanced, but the production cost increases and the number of off-chip components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the LDO regulator functionality directly into the application processor chip, combining what were previously separate off-chip components into a single integrated solution. This integration reduces the number of discrete power management components and simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining the ability to provide multiple power supply voltages.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated LDO regulator is designed to provide multiple power supply voltages simultaneously to different blocks within the application processor. This multi-functional capability allows a single component to replace multiple separate voltage regulators, reducing both the number of components and the complexity of power routing.
2Power
If more off-chip load capacitors and inductors are used to support increased power supply voltages, then the power delivery capability is improved, but the production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the LDO regulator and associated power management functionality directly into the application processor chip, eliminating the need for separate off-chip load capacitors and inductors. This integration maintains adequate power delivery capability while significantly reducing the bill of materials and production costs associated with multiple discrete passive components.
3Device complexity
If power domains of cores are merged to simplify the system, then the device complexity is reduced, but the power management gain through dynamic voltage scaling is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated LDO regulator enables different power domains within the application processor to operate at different voltage levels simultaneously. Each power domain can be independently regulated according to its specific requirements, allowing cores to be merged structurally while maintaining the ability to perform dynamic voltage scaling for power management optimization.
4Reliability
If an LDO regulator is included in an expensive SoC process to protect against power domain merging issues, then the reliability is improved, but the production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the LDO regulator directly into the application processor chip during the semiconductor fabrication process. This integration eliminates the need for additional discrete components and associated assembly steps, thereby improving reliability through better electrical connectivity while avoiding the increased production costs that would result from adding separate off-chip regulators.
Data Source
AI summary
A system-on-chip according to an embodiment includes a core including a header switch circuit configured to transmit a power supply voltage applied to a first power rail as a supply voltage to a second power rail and a logic circuit configured to operate based on the supply voltage from the second power rail, and a low-dropout (LDO) regulator configured to regulate a magnitude of first current output to the second power rail based on a change in the supply voltage, wherein the LDO regulator is further configured to control on/off of a plurality of first header switches included in the header switch circuit based on an amount of the change in the supply voltage.