On-chip parameter generation system with an integrated calibration circuit

An integrated circuit chip comprising:

• an on-chip circuit that is selectively operable in standby and operating modes;
• and
• a voltage generation system selectively and alternatively operable in a calibration mode and a voltage supply mode, wherein the voltage generation system comprises:
• voltage generators;
• a calibration circuit integrated with the voltage generators, wherein, during the calibration mode, the calibration circuit automatically, sequentially and repeatedly calibrates the voltage generators such that, during the voltage supply mode, each specific voltage generator generates and outputs a specific calibrated voltage within a predetermined range of a specific target level for the specific voltage generator;
• and
• a controller in communication with the calibration circuit and with the on-chip circuit, wherein the controller enables calibration of the voltage generators by the calibration circuit only when the on-chip circuit is in a standby mode and disables the calibration of the voltage generators by the calibration circuit when the on-chip circuit is in an operating mode.

A method comprising:

• providing, on an integrated circuit chip, a parameter generation system comprising:
• parameter generators and a calibration circuit integrated with the parameter generators;
• and
• selectively operating the parameter generation system in one of a calibration mode and a parameter supply mode,
• wherein the parameter generation system operates in the calibration mode by automatically enabling the calibration circuit to automatically, sequentially and repeatedly calibrate the parameter generators;
• wherein the parameter generation system operates in the parameter supply mode by automatically disabling the calibration circuit and causing the parameter generators to generate and output calibrated parameters, respectively, with each specific calibrated parameter from each specific parameter generator being within a predetermined range of a specific target level for the specific parameter generator;
• wherein the calibrated parameters are output to an on-chip circuit;
• wherein the parameter generation system is operated in the calibration mode whenever the on-chip circuit is in a standby mode;
• and
• wherein the parameter generation system is operated in the parameter supply mode whenever the on-chip circuit is in an operating mode.