SoC Voltage Droop Control for Leakage Current Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increase in processor area and leakage power due to process refinement and higher operating frequencies in system-on-chip (SoC) poses challenges that existing technologies have not adequately addressed.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a SoC with a processor connected to switches controlled by a regulator and a voltage droop detector, which adjusts supply voltage and enters a retention state based on temperature data and voltage droop detection, along with a controller managing the entry and exit from this state to manage leakage current.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If processor area is increased to optimize performance, then processing capability is improved, but leakage power increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the supply voltage adjustable rather than fixed. The voltage can be dynamically changed based on operating conditions, allowing the system to optimize between performance and leakage power. When performance is needed, higher voltage can be applied; when leakage reduction is prioritized, lower voltage can be used.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the voltage parameter as a control mechanism. By varying the supply voltage level, the system can directly influence both processing capability and leakage power characteristics. This parameter change allows trade-off between the two competing requirements.
2Speed
If operating frequency is increased to improve performance, then processing speed is improved, but leakage power increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts supply voltage based on operating frequency requirements. When high processing speed is needed, the voltage can be increased to support higher frequency operation. When leakage reduction is the priority, the voltage can be lowered, allowing the system to flexibly manage the trade-off between speed and energy consumption.
3Loss of energy
If supply voltage is adjusted to reduce leakage current, then leakage power is reduced, but voltage stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a voltage droop detector that provides feedback about voltage conditions. This feedback mechanism allows the system to monitor voltage stability and adjust accordingly. When voltage droop is detected, the system can respond by adjusting the voltage regulator to maintain stability while still achieving leakage reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage regulator acts as an intermediary between the power supply and the processor. It mediates the voltage adjustment process, allowing controlled changes in supply voltage that reduce leakage current while maintaining adequate voltage stability for proper processor operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A system-on-chip (SoC) includes a processor connected to a plurality of switches that are configured to adjust a supply voltage to the processor, a regulator configured to apply a control signal for controlling at least one of the plurality of switches, and a voltage droop detector connected to the regulator and the processor and configured to transmit a voltage droop detection signal to the regulator when a voltage droop is detected from the processor. The regulator may turn on a predetermined number of switches, among the plurality of switches, based on the control signal when receiving the voltage droop detection signal.