Voltage Supply Selection Circuit for Cross-Domain Leakage Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing voltage supply selection circuits face inefficiencies due to cross-domain leakage, which increases power consumption and complicates integration with other circuits.
Innovation Solution
The proposed voltage supply selection circuit uses complementarily controlled header transistors operating within the same voltage domain, eliminating cross-domain leakage by ensuring that only one path is conducted, thereby reducing power consumption and enhancing integration efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If voltage supply selection circuits use cross-domain control signals, then voltage domain flexibility is improved, but power consumption increases due to cross-domain leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful cross-domain leakage effect into a beneficial mechanism by using the leakage current to pre-charge or pre-discharge capacitive nodes during voltage transitions. The header transistors are designed to utilize the inevitable leakage to assist in the switching process, thereby reducing the overall power consumption penalty associated with cross-domain voltage selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the threshold voltage of header transistors based on the selected voltage domain to minimize leakage. By changing the transistor parameters (threshold voltage) according to the operating conditions, the circuit achieves lower power consumption while maintaining the ability to switch between different voltage domains.
2Adaptability or versatility
If voltage supply selection circuits use cross-domain control signals, then voltage domain flexibility is improved, but circuit integration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the voltage selection function with the existing voltage domain infrastructure by integrating header transistors that operate across voltage domains into the standard circuit fabric. Rather than adding separate complex selection logic, the design combines voltage selection with the natural voltage domain boundaries already present in the circuit, simplifying integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The header transistor design provides multi-functionality by serving both as a voltage selection mechanism and as a regular circuit element that can be integrated into various voltage domain configurations. The same header transistor structure can handle different voltage domains and be used in multiple locations throughout the circuit, reducing overall integration complexity.
3Loss of energy
If voltage scaling is applied to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but performance of active units may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the circuit into multiple voltage domains, allowing different functional units to operate at different voltage levels simultaneously. Active units maintain higher voltage for optimal performance, while idle units operate at lower voltage to reduce power consumption. The header transistors enable clean separation between these segments, preventing leakage from high-voltage to low-voltage domains.
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit includes a control circuit configured to receive a selection signal transitioning within a first voltage domain; and generate, based on the selection signal, a first control signal transitioning within a second voltage domain different from the first voltage domain. The circuit further includes a switch circuit operatively coupled to the control circuit and comprising a first header transistor coupled to a first voltage supply transitioning within the second voltage domain, and gated by the first control signal; and a second header transistor coupled to a second voltage supply transitioning within the first voltage domain, and gated by a second control signal that is logically inverse to the first control signal. The first header transistor and the second header transistor are complementarily turned on so as to provide an output voltage equal to either the first voltage supply or the second voltage supply.