US 7,397,228 B2 · Programmable on-chip sense line

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a system for controlling power supply voltage to an on-chip power distribution network. The system incorporates a programmable on-chip sensing network that can be selectively connected to the power distribution network at multiple locations. When the sensing network is selectively connected to the power distribution network at an optimal sensing point, a local voltage feedback signal from that optimal sensing point is generated and used to adjust the power supply voltage and, thus, to manage voltage distribution across the power distribution network. Additionally, the system incorporates a policy for managing the voltage distribution across the power distribution network, a means for profiling voltage drops across the power distribution network and a means for selecting the optimal sensing point based on the policy and the profile. Another embodiment of the system can further control power supply voltages to multiple power distribution networks on the same chip.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A system for controlling supply voltage to a power distribution network on a chip, said system comprising;

an on-chip sensing network having multiple switches that allow said sensing network to be selectively connected to any one of multiple locations on said power distribution network in order to generate local voltage feedback signals;
a primary controller coupled by address lines to each of said switches and adapted to control said switches via said address lines so as to selectively connect said sensing network to said power distribution network at a pre-selected location;
and
a voltage controller coupled to said primary controller, said sensing network and to a drive transistor for said power distribution network, wherein said voltage controller is adapted to receive a local voltage feedback signal generated at said pre-selected location and to regulate a supply voltage from said drive transistor based on said local voltage feedback signal.

1 more element

A system for controlling supply voltage to a power distribution network on a chip, said system comprising;

an on-chip sensing network having multiple switches that allow said sensing network to be selectively connected to said power distribution network at any one of multiple locations in order to generate local voltage feedback signals;
a primary controller coupled by address lines to each of said switches and adapted to control said switches via said address lines so as to selectively connect said sensing network to said power distribution network at a pre-selected location;
and
a voltage controller coupled to said primary controller, said sensing network and to a drive transistor for said power distribution network, wherein said voltage controller is adapted to receive a local voltage feedback signal generated at said pre-selected location and to regulate a supply voltage from said drive transistor based on said local voltage feedback signal, and
wherein said primary controller comprises a policy that dictates how voltage distribution across said power distribution network should be managed and is further adapted to select said pre-selected location based on said policy.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Programmable on-chip sense line

Life of this patent

Programmable on-chip sense line

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11