Bias Regulation Circuit for Low Power IC Back-Biasing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated circuits face challenges in reducing power consumption while maintaining performance and cost efficiency due to the need for biasing body or well terminals at voltages other than rail voltages, which is difficult to achieve with existing bias generation circuits.
Innovation Solution
A low power bias regulator circuit using level shifter and comparator circuits with switched capacitor technology to provide back biasing voltages beyond typical operational ranges without high voltage transistors, enabling stable and responsive voltage regulation with minimal power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If body or well terminals are biased at voltages other than rail voltages, then leakage current is reduced and power consumption is reduced, but existing bias generation circuits cannot achieve this
Solution Approach 1:
The bias generation circuit uses dynamic voltage adjustment through a charge pump circuit that can generate variable back-bias voltages based on feedback from a comparator. The circuit transitions from static rail voltage biasing to dynamic voltage generation, allowing the body terminals to be biased at optimal voltages that minimize leakage current while maintaining circuit functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the bias voltage parameter from fixed rail voltages to variable voltages generated by the charge pump circuit. By adjusting the charge pump output voltage, the circuit can operate at different back-bias conditions to optimize power consumption and leakage current reduction while maintaining adaptability across different operating scenarios.
2Adaptability or versatility
If high voltage transistors are used to generate back biasing voltages beyond operational ranges, then voltage regulation capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a charge pump circuit as an intermediary component that generates the high voltage back-bias signals without requiring high voltage transistors in the main signal path. The charge pump acts as a voltage transformation mediator, converting standard operational voltages into the required back-bias voltages, thereby avoiding the need for complex high voltage transistor designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical/physical approach of using high voltage transistors with an electrical approach using a charge pump circuit. Instead of relying on high voltage device physics, the solution uses capacitive charging and voltage multiplication techniques to generate the required back-bias voltages, simplifying the overall circuit architecture.
3Stability of the object's composition
If feedback path from charge pump output to comparator input has delay, then voltage regulation stability is improved, but response time decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The comparator is configured to receive the back-bias voltage signal in advance of the charge pump output through a feedforward path. This preliminary action allows the comparator to anticipate the voltage changes and prepare the feedback response, reducing the effective delay in the control loop while maintaining stability through proper timing of the switching signals.
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
The solution allows for efficient and stable voltage regulation with reduced power consumption by extending biasing voltages beyond rail ranges, enhancing performance and reducing leakage current in integrated circuits.
Implementation Method 1
charge pump circuits configured to generate the back biasing voltages
Implementation Method 2
level shifter and comparator circuits with switched capacitor technology
Data Source
AI summary
A bias circuit is provided. The bias circuit includes a comparator circuit configured to compare a first voltage at a first input with a second voltage at a second input and generate a digital value at an output. A level shifter circuit is coupled to the comparator circuit. The level shifter is configured to receive a reference voltage at an input and generate the second voltage at an output. A charge pump circuit is coupled to the comparator circuit. The charge pump circuit is configured to generate the first voltage at an output based on the digital value.