Two-Stage Power Supply Voltage Adjustment for Stable Rail Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power supply voltage adjustment methods in computing devices are inefficient due to reliance on worst-case estimates for voltage rail stability, leading to potential power wastage or functional failures.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system with dual voltage adjustment logic, where coarse adjustments are disabled until a predetermined time interval has elapsed since the last adjustment, and fine adjustments are enabled only when the power supply voltage has reached the target value, minimizing unnecessary adjustments and ensuring stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a time interval is enforced to ensure voltage rail stability before adjustments, then reliability is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to unnecessary delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching between two voltage adjustment methods (DCVS and CPR) based on real-time voltage stability conditions. The system transitions from a static worst-case delay approach to a dynamic selection mechanism that adapts to actual load conditions, enabling faster adjustments when voltage is stable and ensuring accuracy when adjustments are needed
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the adjustment method parameter based on voltage stability conditions. When voltage is stable, fine-grain CPR method is enabled; when unstable, coarse DCVS method is used with disabled CPR. This parameter switching resolves the contradiction by selecting the appropriate adjustment granularity based on real-time conditions
2Productivity
If coarse voltage adjustments are made frequently, then productivity is improved, but loss of energy increases due to unnecessary adjustments during unstable periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors voltage rail stability and uses this feedback to control the enabling/disabling of CPR adjustments. When voltage instability is detected, CPR is disabled to prevent wasteful adjustments. When stability is confirmed, CPR is enabled to allow frequent fine adjustments. This feedback loop eliminates energy wastage while maintaining necessary adjustment frequency
3Manufacturing precision
If fine-grain voltage adjustments are enabled continuously, then manufacturing precision is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to adjustments made during unstable voltage periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary stability checking before enabling fine-grain CPR adjustments. The DCVS coarse adjustment method is executed first to establish voltage stability, and only after stability is confirmed does the system enable CPR for precise adjustments. This preliminary action ensures that high-precision adjustments are never made during unstable periods, preventing reliability issues
Data Source
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AI summary
Dynamic power supply voltage adjustment in a computing device may involve two stages. In a first stage, a first method for adjusting a power supply voltage may be disabled. While the first method remains disabled, a request to adjust the power supply voltage from an initial value to a target value using a second method may be received. The second method may be initiated in response to the request if a time interval has elapsed since a previous request to adjust the power supply voltage. In a second stage, the first method may be enabled when it has been determined that the power supply voltage has reached the target value.