Power switch acceleration scheme for fast wakeup
First Claim
1. An integrated circuit comprising:
- a first power gated circuit block coupled to receive power from a first virtual voltage node, the first virtual voltage node being exclusive to the first power gated circuit block;
a first plurality of power switches each coupled between the first virtual voltage node and a global voltage node that is non-exclusive to the first power gated circuit block;
a power control unit, the power control unit including a voltage detection circuit configured to generate a first indication when a voltage on the first virtual voltage node is less than a predetermined threshold voltage, and a second indication when the voltage on the first virtual voltage node is greater than the predetermined threshold, wherein the power control unit is configured to cause the first plurality of power switches to be sequentially activated at a first rate responsive to the voltage detection unit generating the first indication and at a second rate responsive to the voltage detection unit generating the second indication.
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Abstract
A method an apparatus for a power switch acceleration scheme during wakeup is disclosed. In one embodiment, an integrated circuit includes at least one power gated circuit block. The power gated circuit block includes a virtual voltage node from which a voltage is provided to the circuitry of the block when active. Power switches are coupled between the virtual voltage node and a corresponding global voltage node. When the power gated circuit block is powered on, power switches are activated sequentially. The rate at which power switches are activated is increased as the voltage on the virtual voltage node increases. Sequentially activating the power switches may prevent an excess of current inrush into the power gated circuit block. The increase in the rate at which power switches are activated when the voltage on the virtual voltage node is at least at a certain level may allow for a faster wakeup.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. An integrated circuit comprising:
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a first power gated circuit block coupled to receive power from a first virtual voltage node, the first virtual voltage node being exclusive to the first power gated circuit block; a first plurality of power switches each coupled between the first virtual voltage node and a global voltage node that is non-exclusive to the first power gated circuit block; a power control unit, the power control unit including a voltage detection circuit configured to generate a first indication when a voltage on the first virtual voltage node is less than a predetermined threshold voltage, and a second indication when the voltage on the first virtual voltage node is greater than the predetermined threshold, wherein the power control unit is configured to cause the first plurality of power switches to be sequentially activated at a first rate responsive to the voltage detection unit generating the first indication and at a second rate responsive to the voltage detection unit generating the second indication. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of controlling power in an integrated circuit, comprising:
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generating, by a power control unit of the integrated circuit, a first indication when a voltage detected on a first virtual voltage node is less than a predetermined threshold voltage; generating, by the power control unit, a second indication when the voltage is greater than the predetermined threshold voltage; sequentially activating, by the power control unit, a first plurality of power switches coupled between the first virtual voltage node of a first power gated circuit block and a global voltage node at a first response rate in response to the first indication is generated; and sequentially activating, by the power control unit, the first plurality of power switches at a second rate in response to the second indication is generated. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification