Adaptive dynamic voltage scaling system and method

摘要

Integrated circuit designs and methods using adaptive dynamic voltage scaling circuits for IC designs that compensate for some of the effects of PVT dependent characteristics on the fabrication of advanced IC's but allow lower margins and provide high die yields, smaller die size, and lower power usage. An inner control loop varies the voltage output of an internal variable voltage regulator powered by an IC circuit voltage, and monitors the operation of a test circuit until it reaches a cross-over point (i.e., either fails to operate or begins to operate) with respect to an essentially identical nearby reference circuit, at which point the IC circuit voltage is adjusted by an outer control circuit to that voltage output level plus a margin.

主权项

1. An adaptive dynamic voltage scaling circuit, including:
(a) a primary variable voltage source for providing an initial circuit voltage; (b) at least one variable voltage source powered by the primary variable voltage source; (c) at least one test cell including:
(1) at least one test circuit powered by an associated one of the variable voltage sources; and(2) at least one reference circuit, each essentially identical to and in proximity to at least one associated test circuit in the same test cell and powered by the primary variable voltage source; (d) a comparison and detection circuit coupled to at least one variable voltage source and at least one test cell, for comparing the functionality of the at least one test circuit within a coupled test cell against the functionality of the at least one associated reference circuit within such coupled test cell over a range of voltage values from the variable voltage source associated with such test cell until a cross-over voltage value is determined at which the at least one test circuit reaches a cross-over point of functionality; and (e) a controller circuit coupled to the comparison and detection circuit for adjusting the voltage of the primary variable voltage source to be marginally greater than the cross-over voltage value.