Temperature-Based Voltage Margin Control for Processor Power Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power control systems for computing devices fail to adequately account for thermal effects, leading to inefficiencies in power management and potential computing errors due to temperature-induced variations in voltage sensors and data processing speed.
Innovation Solution
Implementing temperature-based offsets in power control circuitry to adjust voltage margins and sensor readings, using localized temperature sensors and look-up tables to compensate for thermal effects on integrated circuit components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fixed voltage margins are maintained without temperature compensation, then power management is simple, but power management accuracy deteriorates due to temperature-induced variations in voltage sensors and data processing speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting voltage margins and sensor offsets based on temperature measurements. Temperature sensors monitor the thermal state of the IC die, and this temperature information is used to modify the voltage margin parameters and sensor offset values, compensating for temperature-induced variations and maintaining measurement precision across different operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces fixed mechanical voltage margin settings with a temperature-compensated control system. Instead of using fixed physical parameters, the system uses temperature-based feedback to dynamically adjust voltage margins and sensor offsets, substituting static mechanical design with an adaptive control mechanism that responds to thermal conditions.
2Reliability
If temperature-based offsets are implemented to compensate for thermal effects, then power management accuracy improves, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control circuitry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the power control system by introducing temperature-dependent voltage margin adjustments and sensor offsets. This allows the system to maintain reliability across varying thermal conditions by adapting its parameters to compensate for temperature-induced variations in voltage sensors and data processing speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by using temperature sensors to continuously monitor the thermal state of the IC die and using this information to adjust voltage margins and sensor offsets. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that the power management system responds to thermal conditions, maintaining computing accuracy while managing the complexity through systematic feedback processing.
3Reliability
If voltage margins are increased to prevent computing errors, then reliability improves, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making voltage margins adaptive rather than static. Voltage margins are dynamically adjusted based on real-time temperature measurements, allowing the system to maintain reliability when temperature-induced variations require larger margins while reducing power consumption when thermal conditions permit smaller margins. This dynamic adaptation optimizes the trade-off between reliability and energy usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the voltage margin parameter based on temperature conditions. By adjusting the voltage margin parameter dynamically according to thermal state, the system ensures sufficient reliability margins when needed while minimizing excess voltage headroom and associated power consumption during normal operating conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
In disclosed embodiments, a voltage sensor of a computing device is configured to determine a voltage level of a supply voltage provided by a power supply to processor circuitry. Comparator circuitry may perform a comparison operation that compares the determined voltage level to a threshold. A temperature sensor may determine a temperature of at least a portion of processor circuitry. Power control circuitry may initiate a power management operation to adjust voltage margin based on a result of the comparison operation. Additionally, the power management circuitry may control the comparator circuitry to impose an offset on the comparison operation. The power control circuitry may determine a magnitude of the offset based on a pre-determined effect of the determined temperature on voltage margin parameters for at least a portion of the processor circuitry.