SOC Power Splitter Floor Interface Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern digital systems face challenges in delivering stable and reliable power to component circuits due to increasing complexity and performance demands, particularly in systems on a chip (SOCs) with multiple independent voltage domains.
Innovation Solution
A hardware-based mechanism involving a power splitter circuit that allocates a power budget among component circuits based on a programmable power split policy, ensuring each circuit receives a minimum power allocation (floor request) and managing power consumption through rate control circuits and digital power estimator circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a top-level voltage controller supplies power to multiple independent power domains concurrently, then the system can achieve high performance and functionality, but the voltage controller may become overloaded and unable to deliver stable power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the power management into hierarchical segments: top-level voltage controllers are segmented into multiple independent power domains, each with its own floor interface circuitry. This segmentation allows each controller to manage power independently within its domain, preventing overload while maintaining system-wide functionality across multiple domains.
Solution Approach 2:
The floor interface circuitry acts as an intermediary between component circuits and top-level voltage controllers. It receives current requests from component circuits, determines floor currents (minimum power requirements), and communicates with the voltage controllers to ensure adequate power delivery. This intermediary layer protects controllers from being directly overwhelmed by aggregate power demands.
2Productivity
If power is allocated dynamically to meet varying load demands, then system performance is improved, but the complexity of power management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The floor interface circuitry operates autonomously to determine floor currents and manage power allocation within its domain. Each interface circuit independently calculates minimum power requirements based on component circuit requests and operational states, without requiring centralized control. This self-service approach distributes management complexity across multiple simple interfaces rather than one complex central controller.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary determination of floor currents (minimum power requirements) before actual power allocation. The floor interface circuitry pre-calculates the minimum current needed for each power domain based on expected loads and operational requirements, enabling top-level controllers to allocate power proactively rather than reactively, simplifying dynamic power management.
3Reliability
If minimum power allocation (floor request) is ensured for each component circuit, then correct operation is guaranteed, but the overall power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial floor current allocation rather than full power allocation to all components simultaneously. The floor interface circuitry determines minimum currents needed for correct operation and allocates only that essential portion, allowing component circuits to operate correctly at minimum levels while enabling the system to scale power consumption upward only when and where needed based on actual load demands.
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, a system may include a plurality of component circuits. The plurality of component circuits may include rate control circuits the control power consumption in the component circuits based on indications of power allocated to the component circuits. In an embodiment, the rate control circuits may transmit power requests for the component circuits and a floor request representing a minimum amount of power that may ensure reliable operation.