Voltage Island Communication Using a Common Midpoint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Voltage islands operating at different voltage levels face challenges in communicating effectively due to misinterpretation of signal thresholds, and existing solutions like voltage level translators consume power and introduce latency, limiting voltage island partitioning granularity.
Innovation Solution
Configuring voltage islands to operate around a common midpoint, with a register subsystem to store and translate signals between different voltage ranges without the need for voltage translators, using a combination of on-chip and off-chip voltage sources, including tracking voltage regulators and FET rectifiers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If voltage level translators are used to amplify signals from low-voltage to high-voltage islands, then signal communication accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases and signal latency is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the voltage reference parameter by establishing a common midpoint voltage (e.g., 0V) around which both low-voltage and high-voltage islands operate. This parameter change allows direct signal compatibility without translation, eliminating the power consumption and latency issues associated with voltage level translators while maintaining signal communication accuracy.
2Adaptability or versatility
If voltage level translators are used between voltage islands, then signal communication is enabled, but device complexity increases due to additional translation components
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the voltage reference parameter to a common midpoint for all voltage islands, the patent eliminates the need for voltage level translator components. This parameter change maintains signal communication capability while significantly reducing device complexity by removing unnecessary translation hardware.
3Manufacturing precision
If voltage islands are partitioned with finer granularity, then power management precision is improved, but the need for voltage translation between islands increases power overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a common midpoint voltage parameter across all voltage islands, enabling finer partitioning granularity without requiring voltage translation between islands. This parameter change eliminates the power overhead associated with translation, allowing precise power management while maintaining energy efficiency.
4Adaptability or versatility
If voltage islands operate at different voltage levels, then power management flexibility is improved, but signal threshold interpretation accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the reference voltage parameter to a common midpoint (e.g., 0V) for all voltage islands. This parameter change allows islands to operate at different voltage levels for power management flexibility while ensuring that signal thresholds are correctly interpreted by referencing all signals to the common midpoint, thereby maintaining interpretation accuracy.
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
Enables accurate and efficient communication between voltage islands by ensuring correct interpretation of logic levels across different voltage ranges, reducing power consumption and latency, and allowing for finer voltage island partitioning.
Implementation Method 1
FET rectifiers
Data Source
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AI summary
Semiconductor devices, systems, and methods are disclosed to facilitate power management. A semiconductor device includes a first voltage island configured to operate within a first voltage range, where the first voltage range has a first midpoint. A second voltage island of the semiconductor device is configured to operate within a second voltage range, where the second voltage range has a second midpoint. The first voltage range is different than the second voltage range, and the first midpoint is substantially equal to the second midpoint.