Low Power Wake-Up Pad With Auto-Switch Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microprocessor devices face high power consumption in low power modes due to leakage current in input/output circuits, even when other components are powered down, as the regulator and input/output circuit continue to consume current to detect wake-up signals.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a wake-up pad with an auto-switch circuit that biases the N-well of a P-channel transistor to the voltage of the wake-up signal, preventing leakage current when the device is awakened from a low power mode, and using a separate power domain for the input/output circuit to maintain functionality while reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If voltage is supplied to the input/output circuit to detect wake-up signals, then the wake-up signal can be detected, but leakage current and power consumption increase in low power modes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power supply to the input/output circuit by introducing a separate wake-up pad with dedicated wake-up detection circuitry that operates independently from the main I/O circuit. This allows the main I/O circuit to be powered down while the wake-up pad remains operational with minimal power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The wake-up detection function is extracted from the main input/output circuit and implemented as a separate wake-up pad with its own dedicated detection circuitry. This extraction allows the main I/O circuit to be completely powered down while wake-up signal detection continues independently with minimal power consumption.
2Reliability
If the regulator circuit remains operational to supply power to the input/output circuit, then the input/output circuit can function, but current consumption increases in low power modes
Solution Approach 1:
The power regulation system is segmented into two independent paths: one for the main I/O circuit that can be completely powered down, and another for the wake-up pad that uses a separate regulator or direct battery connection to maintain minimal operation for wake-up signal detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The wake-up pad's power supply is extracted from the main regulator circuit and connected directly to the battery or a separate power source, eliminating the need for the main regulator to remain operational during low power modes while still enabling wake-up signal detection.
3Use of energy by moving object
If leakage current is reduced in the input/output circuit, then power consumption decreases, but the ability to detect wake-up signals may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The wake-up pad implements local quality by using a specialized circuit design with transistors configured to have extremely low leakage current characteristics, enabling detection of wake-up signals with picowatt-level power consumption while maintaining reliable detection capability despite the reduced current.
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated circuit includes an input/output pad, an input circuit, and an output circuit. The input circuit is coupled to the input/output pad that receives input signals including a wake-up signal that indicates when the integrated circuit is to switch from a power-down mode to an active mode. The output circuit is coupled to the input/output pad that provides output signals to the input/output pad. The output circuit includes a first P channel transistor in a well having a drain coupled to the input/output pad, and a source coupled to a power supply terminal. The power supply terminal receives a first power supply voltage during the active mode and is decoupled from any power supply during the power-down mode. The well is coupled to the wake-up signal in response to the wake-up signal indicating a change from the power-down mode to the active mode.