SoC Reset Sequencing With Adaptive Voltage Scaling for Functional Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Functional safety systems for complex Systems on a Chip (SoC) face challenges in achieving high-level safety standards when voltage detectors and supervisory functions are implemented outside the SoC, leading to increased costs and lack of critical safety features.
Innovation Solution
A fully integrated power on reset generation circuit with continuous voltage monitoring and redundant, multi-stage sequencing is implemented within the SoC, incorporating internal oscillators, voltage detection stages, and adaptive voltage scaling to ensure optimal operating voltage and safe state entry upon fault detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If voltage detectors and supervisory functions are implemented outside the SoC, then system cost increases, but functional safety standards can be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates voltage detection circuits, supervisory functions, and reset generation capabilities directly within the SoC device. This consolidation merges previously separate external components into the chip itself, achieving functional safety compliance while reducing system cost and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The SoC is designed with multi-functional integrated circuitry that performs both core processing functions and safety-critical functions including voltage monitoring, supervisory control, and reset generation. This universal design allows a single device to fulfill multiple roles that previously required separate components.
2Reliability
If external voltage detectors are used, then system complexity increases, but voltage monitoring capability is achieved
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions including voltage detection, supervisory control, and reset generation are merged into integrated circuitry within the SoC. This reduces system complexity by eliminating the need for separate external voltage detector components and their associated connections and control logic.
3Reliability
If redundant multi-stage voltage monitoring is implemented, then functional safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage monitoring function is divided into multiple independent stages or circuits within the SoC, each performing a specific aspect of voltage detection. This segmentation provides redundancy and enhanced functional safety while keeping each individual stage relatively simple, with the complexity managed through systematic integration.
4Productivity
If adaptive voltage scaling is implemented, then performance is optimized, but voltage control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The SoC implements dynamic adaptive voltage scaling that automatically adjusts operating voltage based on process variations and operational conditions. This dynamic control optimizes performance across different manufacturing processes and temperature conditions, with the control logic integrated within the device to manage complexity internally.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for voltage monitoring and reset sequencing. One such system includes a voltage detector including multiple voltage level detectors to output multiple power OK signals, respectively; a trim adjustment circuit to output multiple trim values to the multiple voltage level detectors, respectively; and a sequencer circuit coupled to the trim adjustment circuit and the voltage detector. In response to receiving the power OK signals from the multiple voltage level detectors, the sequencer circuit controls output of a reset signal to a target voltage domain.