WO2003017490A1 - Method and apparatus for reducing a magnitude of a rate of current change of an integrated circuit - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for reducing a magnitude of a rate of current change of an integrated circuit Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2003017490A1 WO2003017490A1 PCT/US2002/025849 US0225849W WO03017490A1 WO 2003017490 A1 WO2003017490 A1 WO 2003017490A1 US 0225849 W US0225849 W US 0225849W WO 03017490 A1 WO03017490 A1 WO 03017490A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- transistor
- stage
- current
- signal
- last
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
- H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
- H03K19/00—Logic circuits, i.e. having at least two inputs acting on one output; Inverting circuits
- H03K19/0008—Arrangements for reducing power consumption
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
- H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
- H03K17/00—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking
- H03K17/16—Modifications for eliminating interference voltages or currents
- H03K17/161—Modifications for eliminating interference voltages or currents in field-effect transistor switches
- H03K17/162—Modifications for eliminating interference voltages or currents in field-effect transistor switches without feedback from the output circuit to the control circuit
- H03K17/163—Soft switching
- H03K17/164—Soft switching using parallel switching arrangements
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
- H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
- H03K17/00—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking
- H03K17/51—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking characterised by the components used
- H03K17/56—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking characterised by the components used by the use, as active elements, of semiconductor devices
- H03K17/687—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking characterised by the components used by the use, as active elements, of semiconductor devices the devices being field-effect transistors
- H03K17/693—Switching arrangements with several input- or output-terminals, e.g. multiplexers, distributors
Definitions
- microprocessor also known in the art as a "central processing unit” or “CPU”
- CPU central processing unit
- the microprocessor must be powered down to avoid microprocessor malfunction or damage. For example, if a microprocessor's cooling system fails, the microprocessor must be shut down quickly in order to avoid overheating. Similarly, if a microprocessor is drawing power in a manner that adversely affects other computer chip components, the microprocessor must be powered down to avoid undesirable effects.
- Equation 1 shows the relationship between voltage, change in time, and change in current:
- V Z * ⁇ (1)
- V represents voltage
- Z represents impedance
- i current
- Figure 1 shows a typical relationship (10) between current and time when power to a microprocessor, or other integrated circuit, is decreased instantly to a desired level. Particularly, Figure 1 shows the rate of current change, Ai/At, when current is reduced from 10 amps to 5 amps.
- an apparatus for reducing a magnitude of a rate of current change of an integrated circuit comprises a control stage that generates a control signal dependent on whether power consumption by the integrated circuit needs to be reduced, and a counter stage that inputs the control signal and generates a plurality of sequential signals to a plurality of transistors, where the plurality of transistors source current from a power supply.
- a circuit for reducing a rate of current change of a microprocessor comprises a control stage that is connected to a power terminal and a ground terminal, where the control stage generates a control signal, and a counter stage that inputs the control signal and a clock signal, where the counter stage generates a first signal to a gate terminal of a first transistor.
- a method for reducing a magnitude of a rate of current change for an integrated circuit comprises determining when power consumption by the integrated circuit needs to be reduced and gradually reducing an amount of current sourced by a power supply based on the determination.
- a method for reducing a magnitude of a rate of current change for an integrated circuit comprises a step of determining when power consumption by the integrated circuit needs to be reduced and a step of gradually reducing an amount of current sourced by a power supply based on the determination.
- Figure 1 shows a typical relationship between current and time when power is reduced.
- Figure 2a shows a diagram of a circuit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 2b shows a relationship between current and time in accordance with the embodiment shown in Figure 2a.
- the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for reducing a magnitude of a rate of current change of a microprocessor or other integrated circuit. Further, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for powering down a microprocessor or other integrated circuit. Further, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for cooling down a microprocessor or other integrated circuit.
- Figure 2a shows a diagram of an exemplary circuit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 2a shows a micro-architectural block (also referred to as "micro-architectural stage”) (30) that generates a signal, m_out, to control a counter block (also referred to as "counter stage”) (32), where the counter block (32) may include a finite state machine such as a counter (not shown).
- the counter block (32) which inputs a clock signal, CLK, for timing and counting purposes, generates signals, C 0 , C ⁇ 5 C 2, and C 3 , to a first transistor (34), a second transistor (36), a third transistor (38), and a fourth transistor (40), respectively.
- the counter block (32) When a particular transistor shown in Figure 2a is 'on,' i.e., enabled, that particular transistor behaves as a current source in that it sources current from V DD (42) to Vss (44). When a particular transistor is 'off,' i.e., is disabled, the current sourced through that particular transistor is decreased. [0015]
- the counter block (32) generates a low signal successively on C 0 , C ⁇ > C 2) and C 3 on positive edges of CLK. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that in other embodiments, the counter block (32) may be designed differently.
- the micro-architectural block (30) may be a thermal sensor that is used to power down a microprocessor when the microprocessor is about to or begins to overheat.
- Figure 2b shows a relationship (46) between current and time based on the signals and circuit shown in Figure 2a.
- the counter block (32) When m out is high (48), the counter block (32) generates high values on C 0 , C 1) C 2; and C 3 , where, in turn, the first, second, third, and last transistors (34, 36, 38, 40) are all switched 'on.' In this case, the transistors (34, 36, 38, 40) collectively source 10 amps from V DD (42) to N ss (44).
- the counter block (32) When m_out goes low (50), the counter block (32) generates low values on C 0 , C ⁇ ⁇ C 2) and C 3 successively at positive edges on CLK. Thus, at the first positive edge on CLK after m_out goes low (50), the counter block (32) generates a low value on C 0 (52), which, in turn, causes the first transistor (34) to switch 'off,' effectively reducing the collective current sourced by the transistors (34, 36, 38, 40) from V DD (42) to V ss (44).
- the counter block (32) At the next positive edge on CLK, the counter block (32) generates a low value on Ci (54), which, in turn, causes the second transistor (36) to switch 'off,' effectively reducing the collective current sourced by the transistors (34, 36, 38, 40) from V DD (42) to Vss (44).
- the counter block (32) At the next positive edge on CLK, the counter block (32) generates a low value on C 2 (56), which, in turn, causes the third transistor (38) to switch 'off,' effectively reducing the collective current sourced by the transistors (34, 36, 38, 40) from N DD (42) to N ss (44).
- the counter block (32) At the next positive edge on CLK after m_out goes low (50), the counter block (32) generates a low value on C 3 (58), which, in turn, causes the last transistor (40) to switch 'off,' effectively reducing the collective current sourced by the transistors (34, 36, 38, 40) from N DD (42) to V ss (44).
- Advantages of the present invention may include one or more of the following.
- a magnitude of a rate of current change of a microprocessor is reduced, and the microprocessor runs quieter, i.e., less noise, than when only one transistor is used to reduce power consumption.
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
- Computing Systems (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mathematical Physics (AREA)
- Power Sources (AREA)
- Dc-Dc Converters (AREA)
- Microcomputers (AREA)
- Semiconductor Integrated Circuits (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP02761371A EP1421691A1 (en) | 2001-08-14 | 2002-08-14 | Method and apparatus for reducing a magnitude of a rate of current change of an integrated circuit |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/930,373 | 2001-08-14 | ||
US09/930,030 US20030034817A1 (en) | 2001-08-14 | 2001-08-14 | Apparatus for reducing a magnitude of a rate of current change of an integrated circuit |
US09/930,030 | 2001-08-14 | ||
US09/930,373 US6871290B2 (en) | 2001-08-14 | 2001-08-14 | Method for reducing a magnitude of a rate of current change of an integrated circuit |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2003017490A1 true WO2003017490A1 (en) | 2003-02-27 |
WO2003017490A8 WO2003017490A8 (en) | 2004-06-24 |
Family
ID=27129988
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2002/025849 WO2003017490A1 (en) | 2001-08-14 | 2002-08-14 | Method and apparatus for reducing a magnitude of a rate of current change of an integrated circuit |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1421691A1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN1541450A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2003017490A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN116191843A (en) * | 2023-04-26 | 2023-05-30 | 广东华芯微特集成电路有限公司 | Gate driving circuit architecture, control method and BLDC motor driving circuit |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN102968658A (en) * | 2011-08-31 | 2013-03-13 | 北京中电华大电子设计有限责任公司 | Compensation method for power consumption of smart card |
US9013124B2 (en) * | 2012-02-14 | 2015-04-21 | Texas Instruments Incorporated | Reverse current protection control for a motor |
CN108241399B (en) * | 2016-12-27 | 2021-02-02 | 上海华虹集成电路有限责任公司 | Power consumption step suppression circuit |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO1993014568A1 (en) * | 1992-01-14 | 1993-07-22 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Driver circuit |
US5398318A (en) * | 1989-11-02 | 1995-03-14 | Hitachi, Ltd. | High speed, low noise output buffer with non-identical pairs of output transistors |
US5424669A (en) * | 1993-04-29 | 1995-06-13 | Texas Instruments Incorporated | Digitally controlled output slope control/current limit in power integrated circuits |
-
2002
- 2002-08-14 EP EP02761371A patent/EP1421691A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2002-08-14 WO PCT/US2002/025849 patent/WO2003017490A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2002-08-14 CN CNA028158695A patent/CN1541450A/en active Pending
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5398318A (en) * | 1989-11-02 | 1995-03-14 | Hitachi, Ltd. | High speed, low noise output buffer with non-identical pairs of output transistors |
WO1993014568A1 (en) * | 1992-01-14 | 1993-07-22 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Driver circuit |
US5424669A (en) * | 1993-04-29 | 1995-06-13 | Texas Instruments Incorporated | Digitally controlled output slope control/current limit in power integrated circuits |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN116191843A (en) * | 2023-04-26 | 2023-05-30 | 广东华芯微特集成电路有限公司 | Gate driving circuit architecture, control method and BLDC motor driving circuit |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2003017490A8 (en) | 2004-06-24 |
CN1541450A (en) | 2004-10-27 |
EP1421691A1 (en) | 2004-05-26 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US8127156B2 (en) | Systems and methods for control of integrated circuits comprising body biasing systems | |
TWI665862B (en) | Fan motor driving device, driving method, cooling device and electronic device using the same | |
US6806726B2 (en) | Semiconductor integrated circuit | |
JP2003330568A (en) | Semiconductor integrated circuit and circuit design system | |
US6946867B2 (en) | Data output circuit and data output method | |
US7237130B2 (en) | Blade server performance management method and system | |
EP1421691A1 (en) | Method and apparatus for reducing a magnitude of a rate of current change of an integrated circuit | |
JP5215622B2 (en) | Semiconductor integrated circuit and method for controlling semiconductor integrated circuit | |
US6871290B2 (en) | Method for reducing a magnitude of a rate of current change of an integrated circuit | |
US6496346B1 (en) | Automatic system shutdown following processor thermal condition | |
US7012459B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for regulating heat in an asynchronous system | |
JP4443583B2 (en) | Method and circuit for reducing power consumption in integrated circuits | |
US20030034817A1 (en) | Apparatus for reducing a magnitude of a rate of current change of an integrated circuit | |
JP2004104875A (en) | Dc conversion circuit, and setting method for pause mode thereof | |
Bashirullah et al. | A hybrid current/voltage mode on-chip signaling scheme with adaptive bandwidth capability | |
JP2008520014A (en) | Apparatus and method for controlling voltage and frequency using a plurality of reference circuits | |
JP4165215B2 (en) | Digital input signal processor | |
US6646473B1 (en) | Multiple supply voltage dynamic logic | |
JP2005150920A (en) | Output circuit | |
JP2006504299A (en) | Fail-safe method and circuit | |
US7804331B2 (en) | Semiconductor device | |
US6515527B2 (en) | Method for smoothing dI/dT noise due to clock transitions | |
JP2000295088A (en) | Output circuit | |
TW578376B (en) | Output circuit and control method for reducing SSO effect | |
JP2005197478A (en) | Signal output circuit and semiconductor device |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AK | Designated states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EC EE ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NO NZ OM PH PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TN TR TT TZ UA UG UZ VN YU ZA ZM ZW Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CU CZ DE DM DZ EC EE ES FI GB GD GE GH HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MN MW MX MZ NO NZ OM PH PL PT RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TN TR TZ UA UG UZ VN YU ZA ZM |
|
AL | Designated countries for regional patents |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ UG ZM ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ RU TJ TM AT BE BG CH CY CZ DK EE ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC PT SE SK TR BF BJ CF CG CI GA GN GQ GW ML MR NE SN TD TG Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ TZ UG ZM ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE SK TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GQ GW ML MR NE SN TD TG |
|
121 | Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application | ||
DFPE | Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101) | ||
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 2002761371 Country of ref document: EP |
|
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 20028158695 Country of ref document: CN |
|
WWP | Wipo information: published in national office |
Ref document number: 2002761371 Country of ref document: EP |
|
CFP | Corrected version of a pamphlet front page |
Free format text: REVISED ABSTRACT RECEIVED BY THE INTERNATIONAL BUREAU AFTER COMPLETION OF THE TECHNICAL PREPARATIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION |
|
REG | Reference to national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: 8642 |
|
WWW | Wipo information: withdrawn in national office |
Ref document number: 2002761371 Country of ref document: EP |
|
NENP | Non-entry into the national phase |
Ref country code: JP |
|
WWW | Wipo information: withdrawn in national office |
Country of ref document: JP |