System and method for managing circuit performance and power consumption by selectively adjusting supply voltage over time
US9269407B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 5, 2015 |
| Grant date | Feb 23, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 5, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05F3/24
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Disclosed is a system that periodically increases the supply voltage applied to a power rail of an integrated circuit chip that is incorporated into a product, thereby compensating for age-dependent changes in a performance parameter sensitivity (e.g., in a delay sensitivity). In this system, the chip comprises at least a memory, an age monitor, a voltage selector and a power rail. The memory stores an age/voltage table. The age monitor automatically measures the age of the chip. Based on the age and using the age/voltage table, the voltage selector selects a specific supply voltage and outputs a voltage selection signal to an adjustable voltage regulator, which can apply (e.g., automatically or on-demand) that specific supply voltage to the power rail. Also disclosed is a method for regulating the power supplied to an integrated circuit chip, which is incorporated into a product, and a method for generating an age/voltage table.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.