Temperature-Based Clock Control for Leakage-Aware Semiconductors
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing proportion of leakage power in semiconductor devices due to miniaturization, which significantly rises with temperature, poses a challenge in managing power consumption effectively, especially in communication terminals where temperature variations affect operating frequency and power usage.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor device that adjusts its operating frequency based on temperature, switching to a higher frequency when the temperature exceeds a predetermined reference, thereby optimizing power reduction modes to minimize leakage and idle power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the operating frequency is increased to improve processing performance, then productivity is improved, but power consumption increases due to higher leakage current at elevated temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the operating frequency adjustable based on temperature conditions. The frequency is dynamically switched between a first frequency (at lower temperatures) and a second frequency (at higher temperatures), allowing the system to adapt its performance and power consumption characteristics to match thermal conditions rather than operating at a fixed frequency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating frequency parameter in response to temperature changes. When temperature exceeds a reference value, the system switches from the first frequency to the second frequency, thereby changing the operational parameters to balance performance and power consumption under varying thermal conditions
2Productivity
If miniaturization is pursued to improve device integration, then productivity is improved, but leakage power increases due to smaller feature sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by monitoring the temperature of the semiconductor device and using this information to control the operating frequency. The temperature sensor provides continuous feedback about thermal conditions, and the controller adjusts the frequency accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that responds to actual device state
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically adjusting its own operating parameters based on internal temperature measurements. The semiconductor device monitors its own thermal state and autonomously switches frequencies without external intervention, optimizing its own power consumption characteristics
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor device includes a mode determination unit configured to determine a power mode based on a temperature of the semiconductor device and a reference temperature, the power mode including one of a first mode which sets the operating frequency of the operation clock to be a first operating frequency and a second mode which sets the operating frequency of the operation clock to be a second operating frequency, and output a control signal according to the power mode to a clock generating unit.