Supply Voltage Control Module for Dynamic Power Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power supply systems lack efficient feedback control for regulating voltage at the point of load, leading to suboptimal power consumption and potential overheating in mobile and portable devices, where strict power constraints are often necessary.
Innovation Solution
A supply voltage control module that obtains information on the load's voltage need, determines the required supply voltage, and instructs the power supply module to provide the appropriate voltage, ensuring compliance with pre-determined requirements while minimizing power consumption and footprint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If centralized feedback control for voltage regulation is implemented at the point of load, then power consumption is optimized and voltage precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where the supply voltage control module receives information about the load's voltage needs (from ring oscillators, frequency measurements, or critical path timing data) and adjusts the supply voltage accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system optimizes power consumption by dynamically regulating voltage to match actual load requirements rather than using fixed voltage levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The load itself provides information about its voltage needs through ring oscillators or timing measurements, enabling the system to self-regulate without external intervention. The supply voltage control module uses this self-reported information to automatically adjust voltage levels, reducing the need for complex external control mechanisms.
2Reliability
If supply voltage is increased to meet performance requirements, then operational reliability is improved, but power consumption increases beyond acceptable thresholds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts supply voltage levels based on real-time load conditions and performance requirements. Instead of using fixed high voltage levels, the system continuously adapts voltage to the minimum necessary level to maintain reliable operation, thereby reducing power consumption while preserving operational reliability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the voltage parameter dynamically based on load conditions, manufacturing process variations, and performance requirements. By adjusting voltage as a variable parameter rather than a fixed value, the system achieves reliable operation only when necessary while minimizing power consumption during normal operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A first aspect provides in a supply voltage control module, a method of providing instructions for setting a supply voltage comprising obtaining information on a supply voltage need of a load and based on that information, determining a supply voltage that is to be provided to the load. Subsequently, an instruction is sent to a power supply module to supply the determined supply voltage to the load. A need for a supply voltage of a load, like an integrated circuit, may not only depend on design of the load, but also on parameters of the manufacturing process and the level of activity of the load. By obtaining information on a supply voltage need of the load and using that information to determine a supply voltage to be provided to the load, a feedback loop is created by instructing a point of load power supply to provide the supply voltage determined.