Duplicated Timekeeping Registers Power Domain Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic timekeeping circuits face power consumption and accessibility issues due to frequent access of timekeeping registers, leading to potential power depletion and communication congestion.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of duplicated and synchronized timekeeping registers across power supply domains, where each domain is powered by a corresponding power supply, and synchronization occurs upon register modification or power supply changes, reduces the need for frequent access to individual registers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If timekeeping registers are frequently accessed by external entities, then accessibility and data usage are improved, but power consumption increases and power supply depletes quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides timekeeping registers into multiple domains (first power supply domain and second power supply domain), each with its own dedicated power supply. This segmentation allows selective powering of register domains based on access needs, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
A synchronizer acts as an intermediary component that monitors and synchronizes data between timekeeping registers in different power supply domains. This mediator enables data consistency without requiring continuous power to all registers, resolving the conflict between accessibility and power consumption.
2Ease of operation
If timekeeping registers are frequently accessed, then data accessibility is improved, but communication congestion occurs on peripheral buses and bus interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting timekeeping registers into separate power supply domains with dedicated power supplies, the system reduces the need for frequent accesses to all registers. External entities can access registers in the active domain without causing system-wide bus congestion, as the segmentation isolates access patterns.
3Device complexity
If single power supply is used for timekeeping registers, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability decreases when power supply fluctuates or fails
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple power supplies (first and second power supplies) dedicated to different timekeeping register domains. This segmentation provides redundancy and reliability, as one domain can continue operating even if another experiences power issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The synchronizer continuously monitors the state of timekeeping registers and power supply conditions, automatically synchronizing data between domains when needed. This feedback mechanism ensures reliability during power transitions without requiring complex manual intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic timekeeping circuit and a method for operating an electronic timekeeping circuit are described. In one embodiment, an electronic timekeeping circuit includes power supplies and timekeeping circuit components that are grouped into power supply domains. Power is supplied to each of the power supply domains by a corresponding one of the power supplies. Timekeeping registers are duplicated for each of the power supply domains. The timekeeping registers are synchronized between the power supply domains if one of the timekeeping registers is modified or if one of the power supplies is turned off and subsequently turned back on. Other embodiments are also described.