Voltage Frequency Controller for Stacked Semiconductor Circuits

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional Dynamic Voltage and Frequency Scaling (DVFS) control circuits for semiconductor integrated circuits lack versatility and reusability, particularly in stacked chip configurations where heat dissipation is challenging, leading to increased power consumption.

Innovation Solution

A semiconductor integrated circuit with an adjuster and a Voltage Frequency Controller (VFC) that dynamically adjusts power consumption based on location information changes, using a module that temporarily holds data and generates voltage and frequency control signals to optimize power usage across multiple devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If chips are stacked to enlarge the semiconductor integrated circuit, then the circuit capacity is increased, but heat dissipation becomes difficult and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecircuit capacityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic voltage and frequency scaling by making the operating voltage and frequency variable rather than fixed. The VFC continuously monitors data location changes in the adjuster and dynamically adjusts voltage and frequency accordingly, allowing the system to adapt its power consumption to actual operational needs while maintaining high circuit capacity through stacked chip configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operating parameters (voltage and frequency) based on the degree of data location change detected in the adjuster. By monitoring how much data locations have changed and adjusting voltage/frequency parameters accordingly, the system optimizes power consumption while maintaining necessary performance levels in stacked chip configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If conventional VFC is used for DVFS control, then power consumption can be reduced, but versatility and reusability are poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidversatility

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal VFC design that can be applied across different semiconductor integrated circuits and stacked chip configurations. The VFC generically monitors data location changes in the adjuster and controls power consumption through DVFS, making it reusable and versatile across various applications rather than being application-specific

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces the adjuster as an intermediary component that monitors data location changes and provides this information to the VFC. This intermediary mechanism enables the VFC to universally adapt to different data transmission patterns and configurations, enhancing versatility while maintaining power consumption control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8700927B2Semiconductor integrated circuit, interconnect, and computer readable medium storing medium storing control program

Publication Date: 2014.04.15 KK TOSHIBA

AI summary

A semiconductor integrated circuit includes an adjuster and a controller. The adjuster adjusts transmission and reception of data by temporarily holding the data transmitted and received among a plurality of devices and output location information on the data. The controller controls power consumption of at least one of target devices based on a change amount of the location information.