Adaptive Digital Controller for Voltage Regulator Transient Response

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional voltage regulators face challenges in managing wide load current and voltage dropout ranges due to fixed sampling frequencies and limited bandwidth, leading to inadequate responses during fast transient events and load variations, resulting in potential over-correction or under-correction.

Innovation Solution

A voltage regulator system incorporating both digital linear and non-linear control modes, with adaptive gain circuitry and dynamic error correction, allowing for flexible control of power switching units to maintain voltage within target ranges during linear and non-linear operating conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If fixed sampling frequency and limited bandwidth control mechanisms are used, then device complexity is reduced, but transient response speed and adaptability to load variations deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol mechanism complexityVSAvoidtransient response speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic control by switching between linear and non-linear control modes based on operating conditions. The controller adapts its characteristics in real-time to match load requirements, enabling fast transient response while maintaining stability during steady-state operation. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the control mechanism flexible rather than fixed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The controller changes its operating parameters (control mode, gain values, sampling frequency) based on detected load conditions. During transient events, it switches to non-linear mode with higher gain and adjusted sampling to accelerate response. During steady-state, it uses linear mode with lower gain to maintain precision. This parameter adaptation allows the system to optimize performance for each operating phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If conventional control mechanisms are used, then stability is maintained, but adaptability to different devices and operational schemes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to different devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The controller is designed with multi-functionality to handle both linear steady-state regulation and non-linear transient correction. It incorporates multiple control algorithms (PMP, PNP, PDN, PDP modes) that can be selectively activated based on device type and operational requirements. This universal design enables the same controller to adapt to different devices while maintaining voltage stability through appropriate mode selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The controller performs preliminary detection of load conditions and predicts transient events before they fully manifest. By monitoring voltage deviations and load current changes in advance, it can pre-adjust control parameters or switch to non-linear mode proactively, ensuring stability is maintained across different device configurations without reactive corrections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Speed

If non-linear control mode is activated for fast transient response, then transient response speed improves, but risk of over-correction or under-correction increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransient response speedVSAvoidcontrol accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The controller employs continuous feedback monitoring of output voltage and load current during non-linear control operation. It compares actual voltage deviations against target values and dynamically adjusts control gains to prevent over-correction. The feedback mechanism detects when the transient event subsides and automatically transitions back to linear mode, ensuring accurate correction without oscillation or instability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

During transient events, the controller applies partial non-linear control action rather than full non-linear correction. It modulates the degree of non-linear response based on the severity and duration of the transient, applying just enough correction to stabilize voltage without excessive action that would cause overshoot or oscillation. This controlled application of non-linear action maintains reliability while achieving fast response.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS11619960B2Adaptive digital controller including linear and non-linear control mechanism

Publication Date: 2023.04.04 INTEL CORP

AI summary

Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods of using such apparatuses. One of the apparatuses includes a control circuitry to generate error information based on a value of the feedback voltage generated from an output voltage, generate output information to control a power switching unit based on the error information provided to a forward path in the control circuitry, and adjust a gain of the forward path based on a gain factor computed based at least in part on a first value of the output information in order to cause the output information to have a second value. The control circuitry also computes a value of correction information when the output voltage is within a target value range, and adjusts the control information, based on the correction information, when the output voltage is outside the target value range.