Boost Regulator Control for Dual PMOS and NMOS Short Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional switching regulators are limited to supporting only one type of power line switch, either P-type or N-type MOS device, restricting their application scope.
Innovation Solution
A switching regulator with a control circuit that can adapt to both P-type and N-type MOS devices by determining the conductivity type of the power line switch and selecting the appropriate driver circuit to turn off the switch when the output voltage is short to ground, preventing short currents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the control circuit is designed to support only one type of MOS device (P-type or N-type), then the control circuit can be simplified, but the application scope of the switching regulator is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit performs preliminary detection during a determination period to identify whether the power line switch is P-type or N-type before normal operation begins. This advance identification allows the control circuit to prepare the appropriate driver circuit in advance, enabling support for both switch types without significantly increasing overall circuit complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit dynamically configures itself by selecting between different driver circuits (PMOS driver or NMOS driver) based on the detected conductivity type of the power line switch. This dynamic adaptation allows the same control circuit to support both P-type and N-type MOS devices, thereby improving versatility without requiring multiple fixed control circuits.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the control circuit adds detection and selection functions to support both P-type and N-type MOS devices, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit is designed with universal functionality to support both P-type and N-type power line switches through a unified detection mechanism and selectable driver circuit architecture. The same control circuit structure can adapt to different switch types, achieving multi-functionality without requiring separate dedicated circuits for each switch type.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductivity type determination circuit acts as an intermediary between the control circuit and the power line switch. It detects the switch type and generates determination signals that mediate the selection between PMOS and NMOS driver circuits, thereby enabling the control circuit to support both switch types through this intermediate detection and selection layer.
Data Source
AI summary
A switching regulator includes a boost power stage circuit and a control circuit. The boost power stage circuit includes: at least one power switch configured to switch a terminal of an inductor according to an operation signal during a normal operation period, such that the terminal of the inductor is switched between an output voltage and ground level; and a power line switch connected in series to the inductor between the input voltage and the output voltage. The power line switch is turned OFF when the output voltage is short to ground level, to prevent a short current from flowing from input voltage to ground level. The control circuit generates the operation signal according to the output voltage and determines whether the power line switch is P-type or N-type MOS device, so as to turn OFF the power line switch when the output voltage is short to ground level.