Capless Voltage Regulator with Clock-Frequency Feed Forward Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional voltage regulators struggle to respond quickly to load transients, particularly due to clock switching, which causes large supply changes, and require external capacitors that are costly and pose assembly challenges in integrated circuits.
Innovation Solution
An on-chip capless voltage regulator that utilizes the instantaneous digital clock frequency and power dissipation capacitance to anticipate and manage load changes, incorporating a load predicting circuit and error amplifier with a frequency-to-current converter to reduce response time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional voltage regulators are used, then the circuit is simple, but the response time to load transients is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedforward control path that anticipates load transients by detecting clock frequency changes before they affect the output voltage. The feedforward controller receives the clock signal and generates a compensating control signal in advance, allowing the regulator to prepare for upcoming load changes rather than reacting after the voltage has already shifted.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a feedforward controller as an intermediary component that processes clock frequency information and translates it into predictive control signals. This intermediary element bridges the gap between the clock signal and the voltage regulation mechanism, enabling the system to respond to load transients before they occur.
2Reliability
If external capacitors are added to provide charge during transients, then the regulator can handle larger transients, but it requires additional pins and assembly steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the transient handling capability from external passive components (capacitors) and implements it through an active feedforward control mechanism integrated on-chip. By removing the dependency on external capacitors, the design eliminates the associated assembly steps and pin requirements while maintaining the ability to handle load transients through predictive control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the voltage regulator to serve its own transient handling needs through integrated feedforward control logic that resides on-chip. The regulator uses its own clock signal as input to the feedforward controller, allowing it to autonomously predict and compensate for load transients without requiring external assistance from capacitors or additional components.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the regulator responds quickly to clock switching, then it can maintain stable voltage, but it requires complex control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedforward control approach that works in conjunction with the existing feedback mechanism. The feedforward controller uses the clock signal to predict upcoming transients and generates preemptive control signals, while the feedback path continues to correct any residual errors. This combination achieves superior voltage stability during transients without requiring overly complex control logic.
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 enables a stable and rapidly responsive voltage regulator that eliminates delays in system voltage changes due to clock frequency variations, improving performance by predicting and managing load currents without the need for external capacitors.
Implementation Method 1
the frequency to current converter implements an activity factor K ACT in the following equation: Where I LOAD is the current required by the load
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A
Figure 3B~3C
AI summary
A voltage regulator for controlling an output device in accordance with embodiments includes an error amplifier; a controlled conductance output device; and a load predicting circuit; wherein an output of the error amplifier and an output of the load predicting circuit are summed to control the output device.