Buck-Boost Regulator Auto De-Rating for Power Concurrency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern electronic systems face power management challenges as voltage regulators struggle to provide sufficient power to multiple subsystems with different voltage and current specifications, leading to power supply voltage droops and potential subsystem failures when load currents increase.
Innovation Solution
A power management system incorporating a buck-or-boost switching regulator circuit with a load current adjustment device that de-rates high power consumption devices and adjusts voltage allocations based on priority levels and voltage headroom to ensure minimum voltage requirements for low power client devices are met.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the voltage regulator services multiple subsystems with high load currents, then the power delivery capability increases, but the power supply voltage droops and subsystems may fail
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic load current adjustment by monitoring the power supply voltage and automatically de-rating high power consumption devices when voltage droop is detected. The load current adjustment device dynamically modifies current allocation based on real-time voltage conditions, allowing the system to adaptively balance power delivery capability with voltage stability to prevent subsystem failures.
2Productivity
If the high power consumption device operates at full current, then the device performance is maximized, but the overall system power stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters of high power consumption devices by implementing auto de-rating that adjusts load current based on system conditions. When power supply voltage droops, the system automatically reduces the current to high power devices, thereby changing their operational parameters from maximum performance mode to a stabilized mode that maintains overall system power stability while preserving acceptable device functionality.
3Quantity of substance
If the voltage regulator provides sufficient power to all subsystems, then the power availability increases, but the voltage regulator may not be able to meet all demands when power is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power management approach by categorizing subsystems into different priority levels and applying differentiated current management strategies. High power consumption devices are identified and subjected to automatic de-rating when power is limited, while other subsystems maintain their power requirements. This segmentation allows the system to manage limited power availability effectively while maintaining adaptability to different operational scenarios.
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 prevents power grid collapse by managing current consumption and voltage allocation, ensuring that high power devices are de-rated and low power devices receive sufficient voltage, thereby maintaining system stability and preventing subsystem failures.
Implementation Method 1
a buck-or-boost switching regulator circuit
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for to incrementally reduce (e.g., de-rate) a power supply voltage output (VOUT) of a regulator to multiple subsystems in response to detecting high power conditions in a client device is described. In one instance, multiple low power client devices and a high power consumption client device are coupled to a power grid of the power management system with a power management integrated circuit (PMIC) supplying power to the power grid. The PMIC includes a buck-or-boost switching regulator including a load current adjustment device to de-rate the high power consumption device when a sum of the current consumed by the high power consumption device and the low power client devices is above a predetermined threshold.