Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SD (대한전자공학회논문지SD)

The Institute of Electronics and Information Engineers (대한전자공학회)
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Design and implementation of low-power VLSI system using software control of supply voltages

소프트웨어 전압 제어를 사용한 저전력 VLSI 시스템의 설계 및 구현

  • 이성수 (이화여자대학교 과학기술대학교 정보통신학과)
  • Published : 2002.04.01
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Abstract

In this paper, a novel low-power VLSI system architecture was proposed. By exploiting software control of supply voltages, it simplifies hardware implementation, reduces power consumption efficiently, and avoids complicated interface circuits. The proposed architecture models clock frequency-supply voltage relationship by software modelling, enables individual control of supply voltages for all chips in the system, and restricts clock frequency to discrete levels of $f_{CLK}$, $f_{CLK}$2, $f_{CLK}$3... where $f_{CLK}$ is the master clock frequency A prototype system was implemented by modifying off-the-shelf microprocessor evaluation board and adding simple discrete devices such as level shifters and voltage switches. It was measured that the power consumption was reduced from 0.58W to 0.12W in the Prototype system. system.

본 논문에서는 공급 전압을 순수하게 소프트웨어적으로 제어함으로서, 하드웨어 구현이 간단하고 전력 소모를 효과적으로 줄이며 복잡한 인터페이스 회로가 필요 없는 새로운 저전력 VLSI 시스템 아키텍처를 제안하였다. 제안된 아키텍처는 클록 주파수-공급 전압 특성을 순수하게 소프트웨어적으로만 모델링하고, 시스템상의 여러 칩들에 대해서 각각 독립적으로 공급 전압을 제어하고, 주 클록 주파수 f/sub CLK/의 1/n인 f/sub CLK/, f/sub CLK/2, f/sub CLK/3...만을 클록 주파수로 허용하였다. 또한, 제안된 저전력 VLSI 시스템 아키텍처의 프로토타입 시스템을 제작하고 전력 소모를 측정하였다. 프로토타입 시스템은 기존의 상용 마이크로프로세서 평가 보드를 약간 수정하여 레벨 쉬프터와 전안 스위치와 같은 간단한 개별 소자만을 덧붙여서 제작되었으며, 0.58W이던 전력 소모가 0.12W로 감소함을 확인할 수 있었다.

Keywords

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