Power switch circuit sizing technique

US6924661B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• International Business Machines Corporation · US

Inventors

• Patrick H. Buffet · South Burlington, US
• John M. Cohn · South Burlington, US
• Kevin Grosselfinger · South Burlington, US
• Susan K. Lichtensteiger · South Burlington, US
• William F. Smith · Carlsbad, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 10, 2003
• Grant date: Aug 2, 2005
• Expiry date: Feb 10, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H10D89/10

Abstract

An integrated circuit structure has at least one voltage island and a pattern of power switches within the voltage island. The pattern determines the number of (and evenly spaces) the power switches according to the size of the serviceable area to which each of the power switches can provide power. The size of the power switches are matched to the current and voltage that will be provided by the power buses. The size of the serviceable area to which each of the power switches can provide power is dependent upon the size of the power switches.