SoC Supplemental Power Circuit for IP Voltage Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing system-on-chip designs face challenges in maintaining stable operation due to voltage fluctuations between the intended supply voltage and the actual operating voltage of intellectual properties (IPs), which can lead to performance and reliability issues.
Innovation Solution
The system-on-chip incorporates a system power supply circuit, intellectual properties that operate at different supply voltages, a supplemental power supply circuit, and comparators to compare the intended and actual supply voltages. Based on these comparisons, a supplemental voltage is generated and provided to the IPs to maintain stable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a system power supply circuit provides a fixed supply voltage to intellectual properties, then the circuit design is simple, but voltage fluctuations cause unstable operation and reliability issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where comparators continuously monitor the actual operating voltage of intellectual properties and compare it with the intended supply voltage. When voltage deviations are detected, the system activates supplemental power supply circuits to compensate for the deviation, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains stable operation despite initial voltage fluctuations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces comparators and supplemental power supply circuits as intermediary components between the system power supply circuit and the intellectual properties. These intermediaries detect voltage deviations and provide compensatory supplemental voltage, acting as mediators that stabilize the operating voltage without requiring complete redesign of the power supply architecture
2Reliability
If the supply voltage to intellectual properties is increased to ensure stable operation, then operation stability improves, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by providing supplemental voltage only when and where needed. The comparators detect specific voltage deviations at specific intellectual properties, and the supplemental power supply circuits activate only for those particular components experiencing voltage fluctuations, rather than increasing voltage system-wide, thus minimizing unnecessary power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by providing targeted voltage compensation to specific intellectual properties that experience voltage deviations. Each comparator monitors its associated IP's voltage independently, and supplemental power is delivered only to the specific location where voltage instability occurs, rather than uniformly increasing power consumption across the entire system
Data Source
AI summary
A system-on-chip is provided. The SoC includes a system power supply circuit which outputs a first supply voltage, an intellectual property (IP) which receives the first supply voltage and operates at a second supply voltage, a supplemental power supply circuit which generates a supplemental voltage; and a comparator which compares the first supply voltage with the second supply voltage and outputs a comparison signal, wherein the supplemental voltage is provided to the IP based on the comparison signal.