Patent · US Active

Semiconductor device having on-chip voltage regulator

US8760217B2 · kind B2 · utility

12Cited by
3References
48Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 25, 2011
Grant dateJun 24, 2014
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 4, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02D10/00
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A semiconductor device having an on-chip voltage regulator to control on-chip voltage regulation and methods for on-chip voltage regulation are disclosed. A semiconductor device includes a circuit positioned between a ground bus and a power bus. A power switch array is positioned between the circuit and one of the ground bus or the power bus to generate a virtual voltage across the circuit. A monitor is positioned between the ground bus and the power bus. The monitor is configured to simulate a critical path of the circuit and to output a voltage adjust signal based on an output of the simulated critical path. A controller is configured to receive the voltage adjust signal and to output a control signal to the power switch array to control the virtual voltage.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.