Abstract: Methods and systems to adjust a resistance between a supply grid and a power-gated grid during an active state of a power-gated circuitry in response to load changes in the circuitry to maintain a relatively consistent IR droop. Subsets of power gates (PGs) may be selectively enabled and disabled based on changes in a load factor, such as a voltage, which may be monitored at a gated power distribution grid and/or proximate to a transistor gate within the power-gated circuitry. The adjusting may be performed to minimize a difference between the monitored voltage and a reference, such as with successive approximation or CMS software. PG subsets may be distributed within one or more layers of an integrated circuit (IC) die and may be selectively enabled/disabled based on location. PGs may be embedded within lower layers of an integrated circuit (IC) die, such as within metal layers of the IC die.

Abstract: A power-gate circuit includes a power-gate transistor operable to switch to decouple a first supply voltage from a second supply voltage during an idle mode, and to couple the first supply voltage to the second supply voltage during a full operational mode. Part of the charge stored at a gate terminal of the power-gate transistor, would have been otherwise flushed to ground while turning on the power-gate transistor, is routed to the rail of the second supply voltage of the logic block. Part of the charge on the rail of the second supply voltage is used to charge the gate terminal of the power-gate transistor to deactivate the power-gate transistor if the logic block goes to the idle mode. Energy is saved both ways because of the charge recycling and the ability to use the power-gate circuit even in cases where the duration of the idle mode may be short.

Abstract: Methods and systems to adjust a resistance between a supply grid and a power-gated grid during an active state of a power-gated circuitry in response to load changes in the circuitry to maintain a relatively consistent IR droop. Subsets of power gates (PGs) may be selectively enabled and disabled based on changes in a load factor, such as a voltage, which may be monitored at a gated power distribution grid and/or proximate to a transistor gate within the power-gated circuitry. The adjusting may be performed to minimize a difference between the monitored voltage and a reference, such as with successive approximation or CMS software. PG subsets may be distributed within one or more layers of an integrated circuit (IC) die and may be selectively enabled/disabled based on location. PGs may be embedded within lower layers of an integrated circuit (IC) die, such as within metal layers of the IC die.

Abstract: Methods and systems to adjust a resistance between a supply grid and a power-gated grid during an active state of a power-gated circuitry in response to load changes in the circuitry to maintain a relatively consistent IR droop. Subsets of power gates (PGs) may be selectively enabled and disabled based on changes in a load factor, such as a voltage, which may be monitored at a gated power distribution grid and/or proximate to a transistor gate within the power-gated circuitry. The adjusting may be performed to minimize a difference between the monitored voltage and a reference, such as with successive approximation or CMS software. PG subsets may be distributed within one or more layers of an integrated circuit (IC) die and may be selectively enabled/disabled based on location. PGs may be embedded within lower layers of an integrated circuit (IC) die, such as within metal layers of the IC die.

Abstract: A power-gate circuit includes a power-gate transistor operable to switch to decouple a first supply voltage from a second supply voltage during an idle mode, and to couple the first supply voltage to the second supply voltage during a full operational mode. Part of the charge stored at a gate terminal of the power-gate transistor, would have been otherwise flushed to ground while turning on the power-gate transistor, is routed to the rail of the second supply voltage of the logic block. Part of the charge on the rail of the second supply voltage is used to charge the gate terminal of the power-gate transistor to deactivate the power-gate transistor if the logic block goes to the idle mode. Energy is saved both ways because of the charge recycling and the ability to use the power-gate circuit even in cases where the duration of the idle mode may be short.

Abstract: A power-gate circuit includes a power-gate transistor operable to switch to decouple a first supply voltage from a second supply voltage during an idle mode, and to couple the first supply voltage to the second supply voltage during a full operational mode. Part of the charge stored at a gate terminal of the power-gate transistor, would have been otherwise flushed to ground while turning on the power-gate transistor, is routed to the rail of the second supply voltage of the logic block. Part of the charge on the rail of the second supply voltage is used to charge the gate terminal of the power-gate transistor to deactivate the power-gate transistor if the logic block goes to the idle mode. Energy is saved both ways because of the charge recycling and the ability to use the power gate circuit even in cases where the duration of the idle mode may be short.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a method and apparatus for a zero voltage processor sleep state. A processor may include a dedicated cache memory. A voltage regulator may be coupled to the processor to provide an operating voltage to the processor. During a transition to a zero voltage power management state for the processor, the operational voltage applied to the processor by the voltage regulator may be reduced to approximately zero and the state variables associated with the processor may be saved to the dedicated cache memory.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a method and apparatus for a zero voltage processor sleep state. A processor may include a dedicated cache memory. A voltage regulator may be coupled to the processor to provide an operating voltage to the processor. During a transition to a zero voltage power management state for the processor, the operational voltage applied to the processor by the voltage regulator may be reduced to approximately zero and the state variables associated with the processor may be saved to the dedicated cache memory.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a method and apparatus for a zero voltage processor sleep state. A processor may include a dedicated cache memory. A voltage regulator may be coupled to the processor to provide an operating voltage to the processor. During a transition to a zero voltage power management state for the processor, the operational voltage applied to the processor by the voltage regulator may be reduced to approximately zero and the state variables associated with the processor may be saved to the dedicated cache memory.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a method and apparatus for a zero voltage processor sleep state. A processor may include a dedicated cache memory. A voltage regulator may be coupled to the processor to provide an operating voltage to the processor. During a transition to a zero voltage power management state for the processor, the operational voltage applied to the processor by the voltage regulator may be reduced to approximately zero and the state variables associated with the processor may be saved to the dedicated cache memory.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a method and apparatus for a zero voltage processor sleep state. A processor may include a dedicated cache memory. A voltage regulator may be coupled to the processor to provide an operating voltage to the processor. During a transition to a zero voltage power management state for the processor, the operational voltage applied to the processor by the voltage regulator may be reduced to approximately zero and the state variables associated with the processor may be saved to the dedicated cache memory.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a method and apparatus for a zero voltage processor sleep state. A processor may include a dedicated cache memory. A voltage regulator may be coupled to the processor to provide an operating voltage to the processor. During a transition to a zero voltage power management state for the processor, the operational voltage applied to the processor by the voltage regulator may be reduced to approximately zero and the state variables associated with the processor may be saved to the dedicated cache memory.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a method and apparatus for a zero voltage processor sleep state. A processor may include a dedicated cache memory. A voltage regulator may be coupled to the processor to provide an operating voltage to the processor. During a transition to a zero voltage power management state for the processor, the operational voltage applied to the processor by the voltage regulator may be reduced to approximately zero and the state variables associated with the processor may be saved to the dedicated cache memory.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a method and apparatus for a zero voltage processor sleep state. A processor may include a dedicated cache memory. A voltage regulator may be coupled to the processor to provide an operating voltage to the processor. During a transition to a zero voltage power management state for the processor, the operational voltage applied to the processor by the voltage regulator may be reduced to approximately zero and the state variables associated with the processor may be saved to the dedicated cache memory.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a method and apparatus for a zero voltage processor sleep state. A processor may include a dedicated cache memory. A voltage regulator may be coupled to the processor to provide an operating voltage to the processor. During a transition to a zero voltage power management state for the processor, the operational voltage applied to the processor by the voltage regulator may be reduced to approximately zero and the state variables associated with the processor may be saved to the dedicated cache memory.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a method and apparatus for a zero voltage processor sleep state. A processor may include a dedicated cache memory. A voltage regulator may be coupled to the processor to provide an operating voltage to the processor. During a transition to a zero voltage power management state for the processor, the operational voltage applied to the processor by the voltage regulator may be reduced to approximately zero and the state variables associated with the processor may be saved to the dedicated cache memory.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a method and apparatus for a zero voltage processor sleep state. A processor may include a dedicated cache memory. A voltage regulator may be coupled to the processor to provide an operating voltage to the processor. During a transition to a zero voltage power management state for the processor, the operational voltage applied to the processor by the voltage regulator may be reduced to approximately zero and the state variables associated with the processor may be saved to the dedicated cache memory.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a method and apparatus for a zero voltage processor sleep state. A processor may include a dedicated cache memory. A voltage regulator may be coupled to the processor to provide an operating voltage to the processor. During a transition to a zero voltage power management state for the processor, the operational voltage applied to the processor by the voltage regulator may be reduced to approximately zero and the state variables associated with the processor may be saved to the dedicated cache memory.

Abstract: Methods and systems to adjust a resistance between a supply grid and a power-gated grid during an active state of a power-gated circuitry in response to load changes in the circuitry to maintain a relatively consistent IR droop. Subsets of power gates (PGs) may be selectively enabled and disabled based on changes in a load factor, such as a voltage, which may be monitored at a gated power distribution grid and/or proximate to a transistor gate within the power-gated circuitry. The adjusting may be performed to minimize a difference between the monitored voltage and a reference, such as with successive approximation or CMS software. PG subsets may be distributed within one or more layers of an integrated circuit (IC) die and may be selectively enabled/disabled based on location. PGs may be embedded within lower layers of an integrated circuit (IC) die, such as within metal layers of the IC die.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a method and apparatus for a zero voltage processor sleep state. A processor may include a dedicated cache memory. A voltage regulator may be coupled to the processor to provide an operating voltage to the processor. During a transition to a zero voltage power management state for the processor, the operational voltage applied to the processor by the voltage regulator may be reduced to approximately zero and the state variables associated with the processor may be saved to the dedicated cache memory.