Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system implementing a sensor. A sensing system is implemented in a functional circuit block that is coupled to a global supply voltage node. The sensing system includes a power converter circuit configured to generate a regulated voltage level on a local supply node using the voltage present on the global supply voltage node. The system also includes a sensor circuit coupled to receive the regulated voltage node, wherein the sensor is configured to compare corresponding parameters of different ones of a number of subset of device at a plurality of different time points and generate a plurality of comparison results. The comparisons generate an analog signal that is proportional to the operating parameter. An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is coupled to receive the analog signal and generate a plurality of bits corresponding thereto.

Abstract: A sensor system included in an integrated circuit includes multiple sensor circuits and a control circuit. Using characterization data, a model may be generated that defines a relationship between measurable parameters of the integrated circuit and an operating characteristic of the integrated circuit. The control circuit can combine, using a function included in the model, data from the multiple sensor circuits to determine a value of the operating characteristic that is more accurate than a sensor circuit configured to measure a single parameter of the integrated circuit that varies with the operating characteristic.

Abstract: A universally-designed control circuit for communicating with multiple types of sensors is disclosed. For example, a control circuit may communicate with either ring oscillator-based sensors or BJT-based sensors based on programming implemented in the control circuit. The control circuit may include programmable communication protocol circuits for communicating with the sensors and conversion circuits that convert a particular type of sensor data packet into a generic format. The generic format sensor data may then be utilized by a power management unit or other device to control operation of an integrated circuit.

Abstract: A universally-designed control circuit for communicating with multiple types of sensors is disclosed. For example, a control circuit may communicate with either ring oscillator-based sensors or BJT-based sensors based on programming implemented in the control circuit. The control circuit may include programmable communication protocol circuits for communicating with the sensors and conversion circuits that convert a particular type of sensor data packet into a generic format. The generic format sensor data may then be utilized by a power management unit or other device to control operation of an integrated circuit.

Abstract: A sensor system included in an integrated circuit includes multiple sensor circuits and a control circuit. Using characterization data, a model may be generated that defines a relationship between measurable parameters of the integrated circuit and an operating characteristic of the integrated circuit. The control circuit can combine, using a function included in the model, data from the multiple sensor circuits to determine a value of the operating characteristic that is more accurate than a sensor circuit configured to measure a single parameter of the integrated circuit that varies with the operating characteristic.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system implementing a sensor. A sensing system is implemented in a functional circuit block that is coupled to a global supply voltage node. The sensing system includes a power converter circuit configured to generate a regulated voltage level on a local supply node using the voltage present on the global supply voltage node. The system also includes a sensor circuit coupled to receive the regulated voltage node, wherein the sensor is configured to compare corresponding parameters of different ones of a number of subset of device at a plurality of different time points and generate a plurality of comparison results. The comparisons generate an analog signal that is proportional to the operating parameter. An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is coupled to receive the analog signal and generate a plurality of bits corresponding thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an integrated circuit that includes an in-circuit power switch coupled to a power supply node, a functional circuit coupled between the in-circuit power switch and a ground node, a test circuit, and a test power switch coupled to the test circuit, wherein the test power switch is a replica of the in-circuit power switch. The test circuit is configured to determine characteristics of the test power switch, and to measure a voltage difference across the in-circuit power switch. The test circuit is also configured to use the characteristics of the test power switch and the voltage difference to determine a power consumption of the functional circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an integrated circuit that includes an in-circuit power switch coupled to a power supply node, a functional circuit coupled between the in-circuit power switch and a ground node, a test circuit, and a test power switch coupled to the test circuit, wherein the test power switch is a replica of the in-circuit power switch. The test circuit is configured to determine characteristics of the test power switch, and to measure a voltage difference across the in-circuit power switch. The test circuit is also configured to use the characteristics of the test power switch and the voltage difference to determine a power consumption of the functional circuit.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure propose analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) systems particularly suitable for Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) implementations. An exemplary proposed ADC system is configured to determine whether an absolute value of an analog value is greater than a threshold, and, upon positive determination, assign a predetermined digital value as a digital value corresponding to the analog value, without proceeding with the analog-to-digital conversion of the analog value. Because the ADC system only proceeds with the analog-to-digital conversion, using an ADC, when the input analog value is smaller than the threshold, and otherwise the input analog value is simply assigned some predefined digital value, design complexity and power consumption of the system may be significantly reduced, compared to conventional ADCs used in LIDAR applications.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure propose analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) systems particularly suitable for Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) implementations. An exemplary proposed ADC system is configured to determine whether an absolute value of an analog value is greater than a threshold, and, upon positive determination, assign a predetermined digital value as a digital value corresponding to the analog value, without proceeding with the analog-to-digital conversion of the analog value. Because the ADC system only proceeds with the analog-to-digital conversion, using an ADC, when the input analog value is smaller than the threshold, and otherwise the input analog value is simply assigned some predefined digital value, design complexity and power consumption of the system may be significantly reduced, compared to conventional ADCs used in LIDAR applications.