Method and apparatus for sharing internal power supplies in integrated circuit devices

摘要

A method, system and apparatus for sharing internal power supplies in integrated circuit devices is described. A multiple device integrated circuit 200 including multiple integrated circuits 202-205 each having internal power supplies is contained in an enclosure 201. Integrated circuits 202-205 are described showing how to make external connection to internal power supplies. Connections 208-212 are provided to the internal power supplies of each of devices 202-205. Another embodiment 500 of the system provides for disablement of regulators in multiple integrated circuits 502, 503, and 504 by another integrated circuit 501 for power consumption reduction. The method FIG. 6 includes providing devices and connecting the internal power supplies together. An integrated circuit 501 with a power supply 400 adapted to the system and method with additional circuitry 308, 404 and 402 for disabling a regulator 306 is described.

主权项

1. A multichip system, said system including:
a first integrated circuit device with an internal power supply having a regulator connected to a regulator output terminal; and a second integrated circuit device with a respective internal power supply controllable by a signal produced by said regulator output terminal, wherein said signal produced by said regulator output terminal controls voltage of said second integrated circuit device, and wherein the internal power supply of said second integrated circuit device includes a respective regulator, said first and second integrated circuit devices including respective regulator enable terminals providing a corresponding signal for selectively enabling and disabling said regulators.