Thermal Sensor Grouping for Hotspot Temperature Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature management systems in integrated circuits face challenges in accurately measuring hotspot temperatures due to thermal offsets and sensor errors, which can lead to inefficient resource allocation and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system that divides thermal sensors into groups within thermal domains, where each group calculates a generalized hotspot temperature measurement by averaging individual measurements, thereby mitigating the impact of thermal offsets and sensor errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If larger, more accurate thermal sensors with regulated power supply are used, then thermal sensor error is reduced, but thermal offset increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the thermal sensing function into multiple smaller thermal sensors distributed across the integrated circuit. Instead of using one or few large accurate sensors, multiple smaller sensors are placed strategically to cover different thermal zones, including near hotspots. This segmentation allows the system to maintain measurement accuracy while reducing individual sensor size and thermal offset, and enables error mitigation through aggregation of multiple measurements.
2Temperature
If smaller thermal sensors are placed closer to the hotspot, then thermal offset is reduced, but thermal sensor error increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines measurements from multiple smaller thermal sensors to achieve the accuracy that would otherwise require a single large sensor. By aggregating data from several sensors with reduced thermal offset, the system compensates for individual sensor inaccuracies through statistical methods (such as averaging or weighted combinations), thereby achieving both low thermal offset and high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms to continuously monitor and adjust temperature management decisions based on aggregated sensor data. By comparing measurements from multiple sensors and identifying outliers or inconsistent readings, the system can compensate for individual sensor errors and make more accurate temperature management decisions, effectively mitigating the impact of reduced sensor accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If multiple thermal sensors are used to mitigate error effects, then measurement accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the thermal sensor array and processing system to serve multiple functions: temperature measurement, error detection, outlier identification, and statistical analysis. The same infrastructure used for collecting sensor data is leveraged for mitigating errors through aggregation and comparison, rather than requiring separate dedicated systems for each function. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity despite the presence of multiple sensors.
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
This approach enhances the accuracy of hotspot temperature measurements, reduces the likelihood of false-positive high-temperature conditions, and improves the efficiency of temperature management systems by optimizing resource allocation.
Implementation Method 1
Thermal sensors, also referred to as temperature sensors, can be used to measure (e.g., estimate) temperature within a system
Implementation Method 2
The thermal offset can be determined from the temperature gradient between the hotspot and the position of the thermal sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a memory device and a processing device, operatively coupled to the memory device, to perform operations including receiving a first hotspot temperature measurement and a second hotspot temperature measurement with respect to a hotspot. The first hotspot temperature measurement is based on a first temperature measurement received from a first thermal sensor, and a first thermal offset associated with the first thermal sensor. The second hotspot temperature measurement is based on a second temperature measurement received from a second thermal sensor, and a second thermal offset associated with the second thermal sensor. The operations further include determining, using at least the first and second hotspot temperature measurements, a generalized hotspot temperature measurement of the hotspot.