Dynamically adjustable on-chip supply voltage generation

Abstract

A voltage regulation scheme for an on-chip voltage generator includes a voltage sensing circuit (VSC) and a configurable buffer circuit (CBC) to regulate the on-chip voltage generator. The CBC generates an output signal that is received by the on-chip voltage generator to activate and de-activate the voltage generator. The VSC generates a voltage level detection (VLD) signal having a voltage level that is a function of the level of the on-chip generated voltage. The CBC receives a control signal that is used to dynamically configure the chip into an operational mode, as well as the VLD signal. In response to the control signal, the switch threshold of the CBC is configured to a predetermined level corresponding to the selected operational mode. The predetermined trip point causes the CBC to appropriately activate and de-activate the on-chip voltage generator to regulate the on-chip generated voltage at the level required by the configured operational mode. One embodiment of the CBC uses a configurable pull-up circuit to alter its switch threshold or trip point. The configurable pull-up circuit is used to pull-up the voltage at an intermediate node that is buffered and propagated to the on-chip voltage generator to activate and de-activate the voltage generator. The configurable pull-up circuit more strongly pulls up this voltage in one operational mode compared to another operational mode to alter the switch threshold.