Low Power Charge Pump for Integrated Circuits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated circuits face challenges in operating efficiently over wide input and output voltage ranges due to limitations in voltage regulator circuitry, impacting performance and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes an amplifier, loop circuit, and output device that dynamically adjust feedback voltage and current supply to regulate voltage levels, enabling operation across a wide range of voltages without external capacitor compensation, and includes multiple independent voltage regulators that can be enabled or disabled in different modes to provide stable output voltages with varying current capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If voltage regulator circuitry is designed to operate over wide input voltage ranges and output voltage ranges, then flexibility and adaptability are improved, but efficiency deteriorates due to increased power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage regulator is divided into multiple independent voltage regulators, each optimized for specific voltage ranges. This segmentation allows the system to select only the necessary regulator for current operating conditions, improving efficiency while maintaining wide overall adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different voltage regulator configurations based on real-time operating conditions. This dynamic adaptation enables the circuit to maintain high efficiency across wide voltage ranges by activating only the appropriate regulator for current demands.
2Reliability
If multiple independent voltage regulators are used to provide stable output voltages with varying current capabilities, then reliability and adaptability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple independent voltage regulators are merged into a single integrated circuit device. This consolidation provides the reliability benefits of multiple regulators while reducing overall device complexity through unified packaging and shared control infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage regulator circuitry is designed with universal control mechanisms that can manage multiple independent regulators through a single control interface. This multi-functionality approach maintains reliability while simplifying the user-facing complexity.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the voltage regulator operates in low power modes like snooze mode, then power consumption is reduced, but the ability to quickly respond to load changes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage regulator maintains pre-charged capacitors and ready-state circuitry even in low power modes. This preliminary action ensures that when load changes occur, the regulator can respond quickly without fully waking up, thus reducing quiescent current while maintaining fast response capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The regulator employs periodic monitoring and selective activation of full regulation mode. By periodically checking load conditions and only fully activating when necessary, the system minimizes power consumption while ensuring rapid response when actual regulation is needed.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, an apparatus includes: an amplifier to compare a reference voltage to a feedback voltage and to output a comparison signal based on the comparison; a loop circuit coupled to the amplifier, where the loop circuit is to receive the comparison signal and provide a regulated voltage to the amplifier as the feedback voltage in a first mode of operation, and in a second mode of operation to provide a predetermined feedback ratio point to the amplifier as the feedback voltage; and an output device coupled to the amplifier. The output device may be configured to receive a supply voltage and the comparison signal and output the regulated voltage at an output node based at least in part on the comparison signal.