Voltage Domain Switching Circuit with Delayed Signal Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing semiconductor devices face limitations in the number of voltage domains due to the need for multiple connections and large switching elements, which can cause significant voltage drops and malfunctions across supply lines, leading to potential global malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
A circuit with a switching unit comprising multiple switches and a signal distribution unit that delays the control signal to manage the connection of voltage domains progressively, limiting the initial current change and preventing excessive voltage drops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large switching element is used to drive large currents without significant voltage drops, then the voltage stability is improved, but the area occupied by the switching element increases and it cannot be implemented as standard cells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single large switching element into multiple smaller switching elements connected in parallel. This segmentation allows the system to achieve the same current-driving capability and voltage stability as a large single element while using smaller individual components that can be implemented as standard cells, thus resolving the contradiction between voltage stability and area occupation.
2Power
If multiple switching elements are connected in parallel to meet current demands, then the current driving capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the switching function into multiple parallel elements, which can be implemented as standardized modular components. This segmentation approach enables the system to achieve higher current driving capability while keeping individual elements simple and manageable, thus balancing power capability with device complexity.
3Reliability
If the supply connection is connected to the voltage source, then the voltage domain can operate, but connecting to a first voltage domain causes voltage drops that may result in local malfunction in other voltage domains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces delay elements that control the switching sequence of multiple voltage domains. By delaying the activation of certain domains until others are stable, the system performs preliminary actions to prevent excessive current changes and voltage drops from affecting other voltage domains, thus resolving the contradiction between domain operation and harmful voltage drops.
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment of the invention provides a circuit. The circuit includes a switching unit configured to connect or disconnect a voltage domain to a supply voltage input. The switching unit includes a first switch, a second switch and a third switch. The circuit includes a control signal input configured to receive a switch control signal. The circuit includes a signal distribution unit that is configured to output the switch control signal to the first switch delayed by a first time interval and to output the switch control signal to the second switch and to the third switch delayed by a second time interval.