AVP Voltage Regulator Feedback Using Output Capacitor Current
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing voltage regulators with adaptive voltage positioning (AVP) face challenges in accurately regulating output voltage due to inaccurate load current approximation using inductor current sensing, leading to performance degradation during dynamic voltage scaling events.
Innovation Solution
A feedback circuit for a voltage regulator with AVP that includes sensing circuits for inductor current, output voltage, and output capacitor current, and a processing circuit to generate a control voltage signal, enabling compensation for inductor current deviations during dynamic voltage scaling events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If inductor current is sensed and used as an approximation of load current, then the feedback loop control can be implemented, but the output voltage regulation performance deteriorates due to inaccurate load current approximation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces output capacitor current sensing as an intermediary measurement that indirectly provides accurate load current information. By sensing the capacitor current and using it to compensate the inductor current feedback signal, the system obtains precise load current data without directly measuring the load current, thus resolving the measurement inaccuracy while maintaining AVP functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a compensation feedback mechanism where the sensed output capacitor current is fed back to adjust and compensate the inductor current feedback signal. This double feedback approach (inductor current + capacitor current compensation) enables accurate load current approximation, improving output voltage regulation performance while maintaining the AVP feature
2Device complexity
If inductor current sensing is used for AVP, then the circuit complexity is reduced, but the output voltage regulation accuracy deteriorates during dynamic voltage scaling events
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines inductor current sensing and output capacitor current sensing into a unified feedback control system. By merging these two sensing approaches and using the capacitor current to compensate the inductor current signal, the system achieves accurate output voltage regulation during dynamic voltage scaling events while keeping the overall circuit complexity manageable through shared sensing infrastructure
Data Source
AI summary
A feedback circuit of a voltage regulator with adaptive voltage positioning (AVP) includes a first sensing circuit, a second sensing circuit, a third sensing circuit, and a processing circuit. The first sensing circuit generates a first feedback signal that provides information of an inductor current of the voltage regulator. The second sensing circuit generates a second feedback signal that provides information of an output voltage of the voltage regulator. The third sensing circuit generates a third feedback signal that provides information of a capacitor current of an output capacitor of the voltage regulator. The processing circuit generates a control voltage signal according to the first feedback signal, the second feedback signal, and the third feedback signal, and outputs the control voltage signal to a controller circuit of the voltage regulator for regulating the output voltage of the voltage regulator.