Integrated circuit having multiple power domains

Abstract

An integrated circuit includes first and second power domains, a power supply control unit, and a switch block. The power supply control unit supplies a first voltage to the first power domain and a second voltage to the second power domain. The switch block provides at least one current path between the first and second power domains during a predetermined operating mode such as by connecting a first power line of the first power domain to a second power line of the second power domain.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent when described in detailed exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a semiconductor integrated circuit with multiple power domains according to the conventional art;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a semiconductor integrated circuit with multiple power domains, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a switch block in FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a semiconductor integrated circuit with multiple power domains, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Claims

1. An integrated circuit comprising: a first power domain;a second power domain;a power supply control unit for supplying a first voltage to the first power domain and a second voltage to the second power domain; anda switch block that provides at least one current path between the first and second power domains during a predetermined operating mode.

2. The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the switch block diverts current to the second power domain from the first power domain for increasing the total current in the second power domain during the predetermined operating mode.

3. The integrated circuit of claim 1, further comprising: a first power line having the first voltage applied thereon within the first power domain; anda second power line having the second voltage applied thereon within the second power domain.

4. The integrated circuit of claim 3, wherein the switch block connects the first power line to the second power line during the predetermined operating mode.

5. The integrated circuit of claim 4, wherein the first and second voltages are set to a same voltage level during the predetermined operating mode.

6. The integrated circuit of claim 3, wherein the switch block disconnects the first power line from the second power line when the integrated circuit is not in the predetermined operating mode.

7. The integrated circuit of claim 6, wherein the first and second voltages are set to different voltage levels when the integrated circuit is not in the predetermined operating mode.

8. The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the switch block includes a plurality of transistors, with each transistor being turned on for providing a respective current path between the first and second domains during the predetermined operating mode.

9. The integrated circuit of claim 1, further comprising: a third power domain, wherein the power supply control unit supplies a third voltage to the third power domain; andanother switch block that provides at least one current path between the third and second power domains during the predetermined operating mode.

10. The integrated circuit of claim 9, wherein the first, second, and third voltages are set to a same voltage level during the predetermined operating mode.

11. An integrated circuit comprising: a first power domain having a first power line;a second power domain having a second power line;a power supply control unit for supplying a first voltage applied on the first power line, and for supplying a second voltage applied on the second power line; anda switch block that connects the first power line to the second power line during a predetermined operating mode.

12. The integrated circuit of claim 11, wherein the first power line is formed as a first power mesh within the first power domain, and wherein the second power line is formed as a second power mesh within the second power domain.

13. The integrate circuit of claim 12, wherein the switch block includes a plurality of transistors that are turned on for connecting the first power line to the second power line during the predetermined operating mode.

14. The integrated circuit of claim 11, wherein the first and second voltages are set to a same voltage level during the predetermined operating mode.

15. The integrated circuit of claim 11, wherein the switch block disconnects the first power line from the second power line when the integrated circuit is not in the predetermined operating mode.

16. The integrated circuit of claim 15, wherein the first and second voltages are set to different voltage levels when the integrated circuit is not in the predetermined operating mode.

17. The integrated circuit of claim 11, further comprising: a third power domain having a third power line, wherein the power supply control unit supplies a third voltage applied on the third power line; andanother switch block that connects the third power line to the second power line during the predetermined operating mode.

18. The integrated circuit of claim 17, wherein the first, second, and third voltages are set to a same voltage level during the predetermined operating mode.

19. The integrated circuit of claim 17, wherein the switch blocks disconnect the first, second, and third power lines from each-other when the integrated circuit is not in the predetermined operating mode.

20. The integrated circuit of claim 19, wherein the first, second, and third voltages are set to different voltage levels when the integrated circuit is not in the predetermined operating mode.