Switchable Decoupling Capacitors for SOC Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing demand for processing capability in mobile devices necessitates effective power management systems to reduce power consumption and conserve battery life, while existing decoupling capacitors occupy significant surface area and cause transient voltage variations during circuit mode transitions.
Innovation Solution
An integrated circuit with a decoupling capacitor that can be switched between two voltage sources, controlled by a controller to maintain stable voltage levels by providing instantaneous current during mode transitions, thereby reducing surface area requirements and voltage fluctuations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If decoupling capacitors are used to supply instantaneous current to transitioning circuits, then transient voltage levels are maintained, but surface area occupied on the SOC increases considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple decoupling capacitors into a single shared capacitor that serves multiple voltage domains. The capacitor is coupled to multiple voltage sources through switch circuits, allowing one capacitor to provide decoupling functionality for several different circuits, thereby reducing the total surface area required while maintaining transient voltage stability across all domains.
Solution Approach 2:
The decoupling capacitor is designed to perform multiple functions across different voltage domains. By being switchably coupled to multiple voltage sources, a single capacitor provides decoupling support for various circuits transitioning between sleep and active modes, making the component universal rather than dedicated to a single function or domain.
2Use of energy by moving object
If circuits operate in low power or sleep mode to reduce power consumption, then battery life is conserved, but transient voltage levels are adversely affected during mode transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The decoupling capacitor is pre-charged from voltage sources before circuits transition from sleep to active mode. The switch circuits are configured to connect the capacitor to voltage sources in advance, ensuring that when a circuit needs instantaneous current during mode transition, the capacitor is already charged and ready to supply the required current, thus maintaining voltage stability without increasing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The decoupling capacitor acts as an intermediary energy storage element between the voltage sources and the transitioning circuits. During mode transitions, the capacitor mediates the current demand by supplying instantaneous current to the transitioning circuit, preventing direct current draws from affecting other circuits on the SOC, thus maintaining stable transient voltage levels while circuits can safely operate in low power modes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively reduces surface area usage and minimizes transient voltage variations by sharing a decoupling capacitor across multiple voltage domains, enhancing power management efficiency in mobile devices.
Implementation Method 1
a decoupling capacitor, and a controller configured to switch the decoupling capacitor between the first and second voltage source
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Aspects of an integrated circuit are disclosed. The integrated circuit includes a first circuit configured to be powered by a first voltage source, a second circuit configured to be powered by a second voltage source, a decoupling capacitor, and a controller configured to switch the decoupling capacitor between the first and second voltage source.