Temperature Based Frequency Throttling for IC Yield
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated circuits suffer from 'temperature inversion' at low temperatures, reducing their current-carrying capability and leading to slower operations, which results in manufacturing losses and increased costs due to rejection of affected devices.
Innovation Solution
A controller circuit monitors the aggregate temperature of processor clusters and adjusts the operating frequency by transitioning to a new power state with a lower frequency when the temperature drops below a threshold, mitigating the effects of temperature inversion by reducing power consumption and maintaining functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If integrated circuits operate at low temperatures, then power consumption is reduced, but current-carrying capability deteriorates due to temperature inversion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the operating frequency of processor cores based on real-time temperature monitoring. When low temperature is detected (indicating temperature inversion conditions), the system transitions to a lower frequency operating state, thereby adapting the circuit's performance characteristics to match the thermal conditions and maintain reliable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating frequency parameter in response to temperature conditions. By monitoring temperature and adjusting the frequency parameter, the patent optimizes the balance between power consumption and current-carrying capability, allowing the circuit to operate reliably under temperature inversion conditions.
2Use of energy by moving object
If integrated circuits operate at low temperatures, then power consumption is reduced, but operational speed deteriorates due to temperature inversion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic frequency adjustment based on temperature conditions. When temperature inversion is detected, the system transitions to a lower frequency state, which maintains adequate operational speed while optimizing power consumption under the adverse thermal conditions.
3Manufacturing precision
If integrated circuits are discarded due to temperature inversion, then manufacturing quality is maintained, but manufacturing yield decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of discarding circuits exhibiting temperature inversion characteristics, the patent adjusts the operating frequency parameter to accommodate these conditions. This allows circuits that would previously be rejected to be utilized, thereby improving manufacturing yield while maintaining acceptable performance through parameter optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the previously harmful temperature inversion effect into a manageable condition by adjusting operating parameters. Circuits with temperature inversion characteristics, which were previously discarded as defects, are now utilized by operating them at reduced frequencies, thereby turning a manufacturing disadvantage into an acceptable operational state.
Data Source
AI summary
A power management controller is disclosed. Broadly speaking, the controller may, in response to receiving a timing signal, monitor a temperature of an integrated circuit including multiple processor clusters. The controller may generate a comparison of the temperature and a threshold value, and in response to a determination that the comparison indicates that the temperature is less than the threshold value, transition a particular processor cluster to a new power state.