Programmable on-chip sense line
US7619398B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 14, 2008 |
| Grant date | Nov 17, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 14, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P80/15
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.