Voltage Regulator Suspend Mode Power Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Integrated circuit devices, particularly programmable logic devices, face challenges in reducing power consumption during suspend mode without losing information stored in volatile memory, as existing methods require separate non-volatile memory to maintain configuration state, adding cost and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A voltage regulator system that toggles between two supply voltages, using VCCINT to power configuration memory in suspend mode and VCCAUX in awake mode, with control circuitry managing the transition to minimize current draw and maintain configuration information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If power is shut-off to volatile memory to reduce power consumption in suspend mode, then power consumption is reduced, but configuration information is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidconfiguration information

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the voltage parameter from zero (power shut-off) to a reduced non-zero level (1.0V to 2.0V) that is sufficient to maintain configuration data in volatile memory while still achieving significant power savings compared to full operational voltage levels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of completely shutting off power (excessive action), the patent applies partial power (reduced voltage) that is just sufficient to maintain configuration information, avoiding both complete power loss and the need for non-volatile memory

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Loss of information

If a separate non-volatile memory is used to store configuration information in suspend mode, then configuration information is maintained, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration informationVSAvoidmemory structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the existing volatile memory serve a dual function: storing configuration information during suspend mode at reduced voltage, and maintaining full operational functionality when awake, eliminating the need for separate non-volatile memory structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the configuration storage function with the existing volatile memory structure, merging what would traditionally require separate non-volatile memory into the single volatile memory system by controlling its voltage state

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Loss of information

If a separate non-volatile memory is used to store configuration information, then configuration information is maintained, but additional writing operations are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration informationVSAvoidconfiguration process

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the configuration maintenance function from the complex process of writing to non-volatile memory and implements it through simple voltage control of existing volatile memory, eliminating additional writing operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS7733075B1Voltage sensing in a supply regulator for a suspend mode

Publication Date: 2010.06.08 XILINX INC

AI summary

A voltage regulator for supplying power to volatile memory cells during a suspend mode of an integrated circuit is described. The integrated circuit in an awake mode generates a regulated voltage at an output node using a first supply voltage and in the suspend mode generates the regulated voltage at the output node using a second supply voltage, at less voltage than the first supply voltage. The second supply voltage is electrically decoupled from the output node for transitioning from the suspend mode to the awake mode, and the first supply voltage is electrically decoupled from the output node for transitioning from the awake mode to the suspend mode.