Nordic Semiconductor has been granted a patent for a power leakage sensor that monitors and controls power supply in digital circuits. The sensor includes a power switch controller and a frequency counter to detect and quantify power leakage by analyzing power supply metrics and signal propagation delays. GlobalData’s report on Nordic Semiconductor gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on Nordic Semiconductor, M2M communication interfaces was a key innovation area identified from patents. Nordic Semiconductor's grant share as of July 2024 was 32%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Power leakage sensor for digital circuit power management
The patent US12072394B2 describes a power leakage sensor designed for digital circuits, which integrates a power switch controller circuit with at least one power switch. This system is responsible for managing the power supply to the digital circuit by monitoring its power supply metrics. Upon detecting that the power supply is active, the controller outputs a power-off signal to the switch. If the power supply metric drops below a predetermined threshold, a power-on signal is sent to restore power. Additionally, a frequency counter circuit tracks the frequency of these power state changes, providing a quantifiable measure of power leakage within the digital circuit. The controller also receives an acknowledgment signal from the power switch, allowing it to confirm the power state and measure signal propagation delays.
Further enhancements to the power leakage sensor include the integration of various components on a single die, the ability to switch between measurement modes, and the capability to handle multiple sub-circuits with independent power supplies. The system can also utilize a test controller circuit to output scan vectors that define the states of logic gates in the digital circuit, facilitating repeated testing with different configurations. The method outlined in the patent includes computing a power leakage metric by considering the counted frequency and adjusting for propagation delays, thus providing a comprehensive approach to assessing power efficiency in digital circuits. This innovation aims to improve the reliability and performance of digital systems by effectively monitoring and managing power leakage.
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