Asymmetric Switching Capacitor Regulator for Wide Voltage Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional voltage regulators, such as buck regulators and switched-capacitor regulators, face inefficiencies when dealing with high power conversion ratios and wide voltage ranges, particularly in complex system-on-chips that require multiple voltage domains, leading to increased size and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
An asymmetric switching capacitor regulator is introduced, which uses an inductor to create a voltage differential between capacitors, allowing for a wide range of output voltages with high efficiency by alternating between parallel and series configurations of capacitors, and adjusting the duty cycle to control the output voltage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a buck regulator uses an inductor to deliver power efficiently, then power conversion efficiency is improved, but the size of the voltage regulator increases due to bulky off-chip inductor components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the inductor from the voltage regulator system entirely, replacing it with a switched-capacitor architecture that uses only capacitors and switches. This removes the bulky off-chip inductor component while maintaining power conversion functionality through capacitive energy transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the magnetic field-based inductive energy transfer with an electric field-based capacitive energy transfer mechanism. This replacement eliminates the need for magnetic components and allows for a fully integrated on-chip implementation.
2Volume of moving object
If a switched-capacitor regulator is used to reduce size, then the volume of the voltage regulator is reduced, but power efficiency deteriorates when the voltage conversion ratio deviates from predetermined values
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic switched-capacitor architecture where the switching network can reconfigure its topology based on the required output voltage. This dynamic adaptability allows the regulator to maintain high efficiency across a wide range of voltage conversion ratios, unlike fixed-ratio switched-capacitor designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the capacitors by allowing them to operate at different voltage levels and charge states. By dynamically adjusting capacitor voltages and switching patterns, the regulator achieves efficient operation across multiple voltage domains without being constrained to fixed conversion ratios.
3Adaptability or versatility
If more voltage domains are added to system-on-chips, then functionality and adaptability are improved, but the size and complexity of the voltage regulator increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal switched-capacitor voltage regulator that can serve multiple voltage domains simultaneously. The same capacitor array and switching network can be configured to provide different output voltages by changing the switching patterns, eliminating the need for separate dedicated regulators for each voltage domain.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the capacitor array into multiple independently controllable units that can be selectively connected through the switching network. This segmentation allows flexible configuration to support multiple voltage domains while keeping each individual capacitor and switch relatively simple in design.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables efficient voltage regulation across a wide range with fewer capacitors than traditional symmetric regulators, reducing size and power consumption, and allowing for nanosecond timescale dynamic voltage and frequency scaling.
Implementation Method 1
an inductor to create a voltage differential between capacitors
Implementation Method 2
a first capacitor configured to accommodate a first voltage, and a second capacitor configured to accommodate a second voltage
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an asymmetric switching capacitor regulator that is capable of providing an output voltage, covering a wide voltage range, with a high efficiency. The disclosed switching capacitor regulator is configured to generate a wide range of an output voltage by differentiating a voltage across one or more switching capacitors from a voltage across the rest of the switching capacitors in the switching capacitor regulator.