Download ComLSI IP Portfolio

ComLSI
IP Portfolio (5 patents)
Circuits, Packaging & Interconnect
Buck Output Feedback
VDRV
Phase feedback
Vo
Ref-Selct
cc-bias
P
Vi
cc/cv
HS
L
LS
C
IL
D
C1
transient
CCCV Driver
March 2013
ComLSI, Inc.
1
Background
• ComLSI founded in January 2003 by Raj Nair as an IP development
and services company.
• Areas of specialization are power management and high-speed
signaling.
• Developed high-speed data transceiver link silicon cores enabling
HDMI 1.3 data rates over Cat5e cable lengths of 25m, patenting low
power differential signaling technology.
• Researched advanced power integrity management including active
packaging and “Active Noise Regulators”, patenting the architecture
& circuits.
• Intellectual Property and Patents may be the next gold rush.
• Patents available are described ahead.
March 2013
ComLSI, Inc.
2
Active/3D Packaging
US 7291896
March 2013
ComLSI, Inc.
3
Active Packaging & Market
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Active Packaging advances PoP and System-in-Package (SiP) techniques by providing symbiotic
functionality between active and passive devices within the package, amplifying power integrity
management performance while minimizing substrate real-estate use.
Point-of-load converters employ switched conversion comprising active circuits, inductors and
capacitors. US Patent “Active interposer: US 7291896” teaches integration reducing POL DC-DC
converter footprint enabling higher frequencies.
ComLSI’s “Active Noise Regulators” proactively inject electric charge to minimize load component
voltage domain variations during “power peaks”. An active circuit interposer allows much higher
voltage in a capacitor, driving greater current through inductance, and allows the active capacitor to
be proactive (prior capacitors are reactive) in noise minimization function.
US 7291896 protects an ‘active capacitor’ packaging architecture of stacked active passive
integration. Active capacitors are the logical next step (from “land side” or “die-shadow” caps) in
the evolution of processor/SoC packages, as multi-core processors demand more sophisticated
power and power integrity management techniques. Instances of use in multi-core microprocessor
packages alone can exceed 1 billion. Handsets and other portable electronic devices will similarly
benefit from high performance, lowest footprint POL voltage converters, and comprise the growth
market for ANR’s and local voltage regulation (LVR) devices.
US 7291896 has a thorough prosecution history. No obligations or encumbrances exist.
A book, “Power Integrity Analysis and Management for Integrated Circuits”, by the inventor,
published May 7, 2010 by Prentice-Hall, discusses ANR’s for PI and local voltage regulation. A
second engineering text on PI for nanoscale design co-authored by the inventor is in compilation.
March 2013
ComLSI, Inc.
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View in Slide Show mode
Appln: Active Noise Regulation
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March 2013
PI simulation result with continuum (pifp) models illustrates noise reduction
(~40% shown) in a chip power grid with
active noise regulation (ANR).
Proactive intervention maintains power
integrity and permits ultra-low-voltage
operation with resultant ultra-low
energy consumption.
Localized charge depletion leads to grid
voltage droops. An effective solution for
increased energy and charge with
reducing footprint area is increased
voltage and greater current driven by
an ANR into the power grid.
ANR and cap assemblies can be tested
separately or assembled, avoiding
known-good-die issues.
No EMI issues in transient action.
ComLSI, Inc.
5
Local Voltage Regulation (LVR)
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Typical on-board voltage regulator modules (VRMs) are slow to respond to a highperformance SoC’s voltage domain needs.
3D assembly of ANR, cap, and integrated inductance provides orders of magnitude
higher bandwidth or faster response, and efficient voltage regulation.
Local voltage regulation enables voltage-domain-based, intelligent supply voltage
control and low energy consumption.
LVRs minimize energy loss and heat generation in high current circuit pathways.
Infringement in 3D microprocessor package implementations under review.
March 2013
ComLSI, Inc.
6
Rapid Power MOSFET
Switching
US Patent #7378898
March 2013
ComLSI, Inc.
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RPTS Benefits
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Higher frequencies of operation at higher efficiency is an important requirement in
power conversion and power management electronics, given the continuing trend
toward more compact and portable systems.
A constraint for efficient power management circuits is speed at which power
transistors can be switched, and energy consumed in switching these transistors
ON and OFF. Patent 7378898 teaches switching commonly employed MOSFET
power transistors at high frequencies with reduced conduction and switching loss.
The technique applies to all DC-DC and POL power conversion products with
combined TAM exceeding multi-Billion $$.
The technique may also be employed to speed switching of power-gating MOSFET
devices embedded in chips, as well as in Active Noise Regulators, a strategic
product for ultra-low-voltage systems.
US Patent #7378898 protects the only known low-swing circuit solution to
improving MOSFET power transistor switching.
Clean execution history with thorough prosecution by the USPTO. No obligations
or encumbrances exist.
Infringement by DC-DC components / 3D system integrators under review.
March 2013
ComLSI, Inc.
8
Applications of RPTS: ANR
CSw
HV
L_anr
ANR
LV
L_path
DSw
C_anr
VLoad
ILoad
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Active Noise Regulators (ANR’s), and symbiotic high-frequency switched power converters
maintain power integrity in rapidly switched regions of a ULSI device, permitting ultra-lowvoltage operation and corresponding low energy consumption.
Size: comparable to IDC/LGA caps on a processor package (< 1mm^2), fabricated in a process
2 to 3 generations behind the USLI component; scales with capacitors used
Die cost: for 1mm^2 area, @ $600/8” wfr, ~90% yield, CSP/WFLCSP  $0.05
Electrical specs.: 40 to 100MHz converters estimated feasible (ref: Intel® CMOS Voltage
Regulator design effort, “Accelerated Regulation”)
ANR patent: Active interposer: US 7291896. More info on ANR’s
March 2013
ComLSI, Inc.
9
Applications of RPTS: DC-DC
HS
ths(on)
Vi
Vo
L
Ci
LS
iL
Co
IL
IL,avg
tls(on)
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DC to DC converters (RED blocks in a portable system architecture shown) employ
switched MOSFETs for high-side (HS) and low-side (LS) function in buck, boost, and
buck-boost converters. Both HS and LS conduction and switching losses diminish
DC-DC efficiency. RPTS significantly reduces HS and LS switching and IL2•RON
conduction losses
Size: dependent upon type of device, operating voltages, desired ‘ON’ resistance
and gate charge, current carrying capacity, and packaging
Electrical aspects: Simultaneous RDSON and QG reduction with RPTS
March 2013
ComLSI, Inc.
10
Applications: Power Gating
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Power gating is employed for Voltage Domains (different color blocks in the system
block diagram shown) in nanoscale SoC’s for leakage shut-off. RPTS reduces power
gating energy loss and enhances frequency of gating
Size: Reduced RDSON reduces power gating device area overhead on chip
Performance: QG reduction increases gating frequency and energy savings
Design / Manufacturing: Body bias circuit reference area (1 per chip)
March 2013
ComLSI, Inc.
11
Class-B Differential: CBDS
US Patent #7348810
March 2013
ComLSI, Inc.
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True Differential, Low Power
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CBDS can operate from low operating voltages such as 1V with 500mV signal swing, or
1V differentially. Lower voltage reduces power correspondingly.
CBDS can be self-terminating. Eliminating source termination, which halves transmitted
signals, CBDS improves SNR by a factor of 2X over LVDS instances requiring source
termination, extending cable reach for HDMI, DisplayPort, SATA, USB, etc.
CBDS provides matched positive and negative currents, minimizing EM radiation from
signal wires. CBDS is a low-EMI form of “true differential” signaling, and can be
designed to be fully compatible with the TIA/EIA LVDS standard.
CBDS cuts power consumption while improving performance, is applicable in all
differential signaling links, addressing a $5B+ (2007) analog interface market.
CBDS mitigates need for power hungry THUNDERBOLT™ active cable signal
transmission technology in consumer electronics devices employing 2m to 3m cables.
US Patent #7348810 protects best mode implementation of a CBDS Driver. ComLSI won
a settlement (April 2010) for infringement of aspects of CBDS by Vizionware Inc.
(closed 2008) and ex-officers. Ref: Cause # D-1-GN-09-002836, Travis County, TX, 98th
Judicial District.
Clean prosecution by the USPTO / no encumbrances or obligations. Silicon IP in 180nm
logic CMOS also available for translation into a product.
March 2013
ComLSI, Inc.
13
CBDS Application: HDMI
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March 2013
Data transfer rates exceed 10Gbps for
HDMI leading to high attenuation over
lossy cables. This necessitates high signal
swings and signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) for
HDMI links across lengths of cable beyond
~2m. CBDS provides such signal swings at
low power and low EMI.
Designed for an “Active Cable” to drive
over 25m of Cat5e equivalent length at
data rates of 1.65Gbps per wire-pair,
rivaling Thunderbolt™ meters*Gbps
performance.
CBDS drivers amplify transmit signals,
providing “true differential” signals ideal
for extended-reach, high data-rate , lowEMI applications.
Exponentially increasing data rate through
cables assured by multimedia growth / 3D
TV. CBDS is the signaling solution before
multimedia data transmission requires
optical cables.
ComLSI, Inc.
14
Current-mode Driver
Current-mode Switch Driver 7126387
Buck Output Feedback
VDRV
Phase feedback
Vo
Ref-Selct
cc-bias
P
Vi
cc/cv
HS
L
LS
C
IL
D
C1
transient
CCCV Driver
March 2013
ComLSI, Inc.
15
Current-mode Driver Benefits
• Voltage-mode drivers for buck DC-DC converters operate from high input
voltages and consume power correspondingly. When driving low-impedance
switches (requiring DC input gate current), a fixed external resistance is often
employed to define static drive current flow. Current-mode drive eliminates
this external resistor, and can operate from lower power supply voltages, thus
reducing drive power consumption.
• Current-mode drive allows programming or adaptation of driven switch ONresistance that changes with device operating temperature.
• High output impedance current-mode drive allows for reduction in the value
of the capacitance in a transient drive path through a capacitor.
• Applications include DC-DC converters employing BJT’s or enhancement JFET’s
as power switches.
• Current-mode Switch Driver 7126387 patent protects best mode
implementation of a current-mode driver.
• Clean prosecution by the USPTO / no encumbrances or obligations.
March 2013
ComLSI, Inc.
16
Shielded Flat Pair & Cable
US Patent #7449639 & Pending
March 2013
ComLSI, Inc.
17
Shielded Flat Pair Benefits
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Shielded Flat Pair (SFP) cable assemblies minimize intra-pair, inter-pair skew,
impedance discontinuities, and crosstalk issues employing flattened conductors
and untwisted wire pairs.
SFP’s mitigate manufacturing variation induced intra-pair skew / Z-variation.
SFP cables reduce skin-effect related loss without increasing copper use, while
prior art increases copper use quadratically. SFP’s enable reduction of attenuation
and dispersion through Heaviside condition based design.
SFP cables are an improvement over Belden® bonded pair cables, which employ
wire-pair (variable) twist and exhibit higher skin-effect loss, skew, and crosstalk.
Belden generates 50% or more of its revenues ($2.0B in 2009) from its cable and
networking products, which now all employ Belden® bonded pair technology:
http://www.beldensolutions.com/en/Company/Press/PR117_EN0909/index.phtml
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SFP cables reduce conductor copper use reducing cable weight and cost in skineffect limited cables. Prototyping and further development ongoing.
Modeling/simulation and manufacturing consultation available to assist with SFP
productization.
US patent 7449639 & 1 pending patent protect best mode implementation of
SFP’s and SFP cables. No obligations or encumbrances exist.
March 2013
ComLSI, Inc.
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Summary
• Patent portfolio comprising 5 patents and one
pending advancing power management and highspeed signaling technology. Patent fees are current.
• IP available for sale or licensing.
• Support includes silicon IP (for CBDS, related IP
Cores), cable modeling, cable manufacturing, and IC
design/consulting services.
• Contact
• Raj Nair, [email protected], +1 480 626 7535, Anasim Corp.
March 2013
ComLSI, Inc.
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