# US 2014/0191578 A1 · Integrated circuit power supply regulator

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- Number: US 2014/0191578 A1
- Document ID: US20140191578A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/147,814
- Filed: 2014-01-06
- Published: 2014-07-10
- Earliest claimed: 2013-01-07
- Assignees: STMicroelectronics (Rousset) SAS
- Applicants: STMicroelectronics (Rousset) SAS
- Inventors: Jimmy Fort; Fabrice Marinet
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140191578A1

## CPC

- G05F 1/462: {as a function of the requirements of the load, e.g. delay, temperature, specific voltage/current characteristic}
- G06F 1/26: Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof (for memories G11C)
- G06F 1/3237: by disabling clock generation or distribution
- G06F 21/755: {with measures against power attack}
- Y02D 10/00: Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management
- G05F: SYSTEMS FOR REGULATING ELECTRIC OR MAGNETIC VARIABLES
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- Y02D: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES [ICT], I.E. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AIMING AT THE REDUCTION OF THEIR OWN ENERGY USE

## Abstract

The current signature of an electronic function is masked by controlling a current source that supplies power for the electronic function is controlled in a dynamically-varying manner. Excess current is detected and compared to a threshold. If the detected excess current meets the threshold, the operation of the electronic function is modified, for example by controlling a clock.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for masking the current signature of an electronic function, comprising:
regulating a supply voltage applied to said electronic function at a supply node;
controlling a first current source coupled between a power supply voltage and said supply node of the electronic function to provide a dynamically-varying current to said supply node.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein controlling said first current source comprises varying the current at a frequency having a same order of magnitude as an operating frequency of said electronic function.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the first current source is sized to provide a constant average current, further comprising consuming by a second current source of a possible current excess from the first current source with respect to needs of said electronic function.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising interrupting a clock of said electronic function if the current consumed by electronic function exceeds a threshold.

### Claim 5

An electronic circuit, comprising:
two terminals configured for application of a power supply voltage;
a first current source;
an electronic function coupled in series at a supply node with the first current source; the series coupled electronic function and first current source coupled between the two terminals;
a regulator circuit configured to regulate a voltage at the supply node; and
a circuit configured to control said first current source to provide a dynamically-varying current to said electronic function.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The circuit of claim 5, wherein the regulator circuit comprises a second current source connected in parallel with said electronic function.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The circuit of claim 6, wherein the first current source is sized to provide a constant average current, and said second current source is configured to consume a possible current excess with respect to needs of said electronic function.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The circuit of claim 6, further comprising a comparison circuit configured to compare current consumed by the second source with a threshold and, in the case where this threshold is reached, generate a signal for interrupting a clock signal of the electric function.

### Claim 9

A method, comprising:
regulating a voltage applied to an electronic circuit;
supplying a current to the electronic circuit; and
dynamically-varying the supplied current in order to mask a current signature of the electronic circuit.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, further comprising:
detecting an excess of current supplied to the electronic circuit;
comparing the excess current to a threshold; and
modifying an operation of the electronic circuit if the compared excess meets the threshold.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein modifying comprises interrupting a clock of said electronic circuit.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein dynamically-varying comprises varying the supplied current at a frequency having a same order of magnitude as an operating frequency of said electronic circuit.

### Claim 13

A circuit, comprising;
a first current source coupled between a first supply node and an intermediate node;
a second current source coupled between the intermediate node and a second supply node;
an electronic circuit coupled between the intermediate node and a second supply node, said electronic circuit having current signature during circuit operation;
a first circuit configured to control said first current source to provide a dynamically-varying current to said electronic circuit in order to mask said current signature; and
a second circuit configured to control said second current source to regulate a voltage at the intermediate node.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The circuit of claim 13, wherein said second current source consumes excess current not used by said electronic circuit, further comprising:
a comparison circuit configured to compare the consumed excess current to a threshold; and
a modification circuit configured to modify an operation of the electronic circuit if the compared excess meets the threshold.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The circuit of claim 14, wherein said modification circuit is configured to interrupt a clock of said electronic circuit.

### Claim 16 (depends on 13)

The circuit of claim 13, wherein said dynamically-varying current is varied at a frequency having a same order of magnitude as an operating frequency of said electronic circuit.