Voltage Regulator Feedback for Local IR Drop Compensation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power supply systems in memory sub-systems face challenges in accurately compensating for voltage drops across different areas of a system on chip, particularly due to varying resistance loads and physical differences, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage from excessive voltage.
Innovation Solution
A power supply voltage compensation system that monitors and compensates for IR drops by using voltage sensors to determine supplemental voltage needs for each area, analyzing data with machine learning to precision-tune voltage adjustments based on sensed voltages and component characteristics, and applying these corrections through a voltage manager to maintain target voltage levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If voltage regulator increases Vreg to compensate for voltage drops in high current draw areas, then voltage at component is maintained, but power consumption increases and voltage drops in other areas may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the chip into multiple voltage monitoring zones (first area and second area) with separate voltage sensors for each zone. This allows independent detection and compensation of voltage drops in different regions, enabling targeted voltage regulation only where needed rather than globally increasing Vreg, thus reducing unnecessary power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local voltage compensation by applying correction voltages specifically to areas experiencing voltage drops. The voltage manager selectively adjusts voltage for the first area or second area based on their individual sensed voltages, providing localized quality adjustment rather than uniform global adjustment, optimizing power efficiency.
2Device complexity
If single location feedback is used for voltage regulation, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision is insufficient for areas with resistance load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the feedback mechanism by placing separate voltage sensors in different physical locations (first voltage sensor in first area, second voltage sensor in second area). This segmented feedback structure captures local voltage conditions accurately for each zone, resolving the measurement precision issue while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular sensor placement.
3Reliability
If voltage margins are increased to prevent voltage drops, then reliability is improved, but power consumption increases and performance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements real-time feedback control where voltage sensors continuously monitor actual voltage in each area and feed this information to the voltage manager. The voltage manager dynamically adjusts correction voltages based on actual conditions, replacing static voltage margin approaches with adaptive feedback control. This maintains reliability through active compensation while eliminating the need for excessive voltage margins that would otherwise be required, thereby improving system performance and reducing power consumption.
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 solution effectively addresses voltage drop issues by providing precise supplemental voltage to areas in need, reducing power consumption and improving performance by eliminating the need for high voltage margins, thus enhancing overall system efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
sensing a voltage at a circuit portion
Implementation Method 2
V at component=Vreg−IR
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to voltage drop compensation for power supplies. One method includes sensing each voltage, via a voltage sensor, of a plurality of voltages from different areas of circuit components prior to the voltage reaching a voltage regulator, receiving, at a voltage manager, a sensed voltage magnitude from the voltage sensor for at least one of the plurality of voltages, receiving, at a voltage manager, data for a number of characteristics of the circuitry components, and selecting a correction voltage to be provided to the voltage regulator based on the sensed voltage magnitude from the voltage sensor for the at least one of the plurality of voltages and data for at least one of the characteristics of the circuitry components.