Supply Node Voltage Control Using Auxiliary Current Pre-Action
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Solution Overview
Problem
Semiconductor devices face voltage drops and overshoots due to high current consumption, leading to performance deterioration, and increasing power capacitor capacitance results in device size increase, which is undesirable.
Innovation Solution
Conducting an auxiliary current from/to the supply node for a predetermined time period before and potentially after the main current consuming units begin to consume current, using a switching device and control signal generator to manage the auxiliary current, preventing voltage overshoot and maintaining stable voltage levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the capacitance of the power capacitor is increased to prevent voltage drop, then the voltage stability is improved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary current consuming unit performs preliminary action by conducting auxiliary current before the main current consuming unit operates. This pre-charges or pre-discharges the power capacitor to the appropriate voltage level, preventing voltage drop when the main unit activates, thereby eliminating the need for excessive capacitance that would increase device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the voltage parameter of the power capacitor dynamically by controlling the auxiliary current flow. The control signal generator adjusts the capacitor's charge state before main operation, allowing the system to maintain voltage stability with a smaller capacitor by optimizing its charge/discharge timing rather than relying on increased capacitance.
2Reliability
If over-driving the internal voltage generator is performed to prevent voltage drop, then the voltage stability is improved, but voltage overshoot occurs which deteriorates performance
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary current consuming unit applies preliminary anti-action by conducting current in the opposite direction to what the main unit will require. If the main unit will draw current causing voltage drop, the auxiliary unit first supplies current to pre-charge the capacitor, or if the main unit will supply current causing overshoot, the auxiliary unit first draws current to pre-discharge the capacitor, thereby counteracting the impending voltage fluctuation.
3Reliability
If the voltage supply unit supplies sufficient current to prevent voltage drop, then the voltage stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary current consuming unit is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a voltage stabilization mechanism and as part of the overall power management system. By integrating this unit that can both supply and consume current based on operational needs, the system achieves voltage stability without requiring separate dedicated components for each function, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
For supplying voltage to at least one main current consuming unit, a voltage supply unit provides the voltage to the at least one main current consuming unit at a supply node. In addition, an auxiliary current consuming unit conducts auxiliary current from/to the supply node for at least a predetermined time period before the at least one main current consuming unit begins to conduct current. Thus, voltage overshoot is prevented at the supply node.