CMOS Crowbar Droop Detection for Fast Supply Voltage Response

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power management systems face inefficiencies and significant overhead due to customized analog design blocks that consume IC real estate and power, particularly when responding to transient loading conditions, leading to voltage droops that can cause circuit failure.

Innovation Solution

A power supply monitor system with a fast droop detection circuit using a series of CMOS inverters configured in a crowbar mode, which quickly detects voltage droops and generates a droop detection signal to adjust the supply voltage, reducing power consumption and IC real estate by utilizing a fast-acting control loop and a simpler, slower regulation loop.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If customized analog design blocks are used to respond to transient loading conditions, then voltage droop response speed is improved, but power consumption and IC real estate increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage droop response speedVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The power management system is divided into two separate control loops: a fast-acting control loop for rapid voltage droop response and a simpler slower regulation loop for steady-state operation. This segmentation allows each loop to be optimized for its specific function, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining fast response capability when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between the fast-acting control loop and the simpler slower regulation loop based on operating conditions. During transient loading conditions, the fast loop activates to quickly respond to voltage droops. During steady-state operation, the simpler loop handles regulation, minimizing power consumption and IC real estate usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Speed

If customized analog design blocks are used to respond to transient loading conditions, then voltage droop response speed is improved, but IC real estate increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage droop response speedVSAvoidIC real estate

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The power management system is divided into two separate control loops: a fast-acting control loop for rapid voltage droop response and a simpler slower regulation loop for steady-state operation. This segmentation allows each loop to be optimized for its specific function, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining fast response capability when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between the fast-acting control loop and the simpler slower regulation loop based on operating conditions. During transient loading conditions, the fast loop activates to quickly respond to voltage droops. During steady-state operation, the simpler loop handles regulation, minimizing power consumption and IC real estate usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If header circuits constantly switch at high frequency to regulate supply voltage, then voltage regulation precision is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage regulation precisionVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between the fast-acting control loop and the simpler slower regulation loop based on operating conditions. During transient loading conditions, the fast loop activates to quickly respond to voltage droops. During steady-state operation, the simpler loop handles regulation, minimizing power consumption and IC real estate usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The fast-acting control loop operates at high frequency only during transient conditions when voltage regulation precision is critical. During steady-state operation, the system transitions to the simpler slower regulation loop, reducing switching frequency and associated power consumption while maintaining adequate voltage regulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 system effectively mitigates voltage droops, reducing power consumption and IC real estate by quickly responding to transient loading conditions, ensuring stable supply voltage and preventing circuit failure.

Implementation Method 1

each configured to operate in a crowbar mode when the monitored voltage supply is near a designated level

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCrowbar mode operation:

Data Source

PatentUS12055991B2Fast droop detection circuit

Publication Date: 2024.08.06 ADVANCED MICRO DEVICES INC

AI summary

A power supply monitor includes a droop detection circuit which receives a digital signal and converts the digital signal to an analog signal, compares the analog signal to a monitored supply voltage, and responsive to detecting a droop below a designated value relative to the analog signal, produces a droop detection signal. The droop detection circuit includes a first comparator circuit with a series of inverters including at least a first complimentary-metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) inverter with an input for receiving the analog signal and a second CMOS inverter, which are both supplied with a monitored supply voltage. The inverters operate in a crowbar mode when the monitored voltage supply is near a designated level, and each include four pull-up transistors connected in two parallel legs of two transistors, and four pull-down transistors connected in two parallel legs of two transistors.