CMOS Voltage Converting Device with Self-Reference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic systems require multiple voltage regulators, leading to increased manufacturing costs and potential latch-up issues due to time differences in generating supply voltages, with existing reference circuits being sensitive to temperature variations and lacking the ability to drive loadings.

Innovation Solution

A voltage converting device with a self-reference feature, implemented in CMOS processing, generates a differential current pair and utilizes a voltage converting module to produce supply voltages that do not vary with temperature, equipped with the ability to drive loadings, reducing the need for additional voltage regulators.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple voltage regulators are used to generate different supply voltages, then the required supply voltages can be provided, but the manufacturing cost significantly increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupply voltage generation capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple voltage regulator functions into a single integrated voltage converting device that can generate multiple supply voltages (VDDP1, VDDP2, VDDN1, VDDN2) simultaneously. This merging approach eliminates the need for separate voltage regulators, reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining the capability to provide different supply voltages for various circuits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The voltage converting device is designed with multi-functionality to generate both positive and negative supply voltages at different levels from a single external voltage source. This universal device replaces multiple specialized voltage regulators, reducing the overall component count and manufacturing complexity while providing adaptable voltage generation for different circuit requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple voltage regulators are used to generate supply voltages, then different voltage levels can be provided, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupply voltage levelsVSAvoidnumber of voltage regulators

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple voltage regulator functions into a single integrated device that can simultaneously generate multiple positive and negative supply voltages. This consolidation reduces the number of discrete components from four or more voltage regulators to one unified device, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining multi-voltage capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The voltage converting device achieves universality by providing multiple voltage output levels (VDDP1, VDDP2, VDDN1, VDDN2) through a single multi-functional unit. This approach eliminates the need for multiple specialized regulators, reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to provide different voltage levels for various circuit requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If external inductors or capacitors are used in voltage regulators, then stable and accurate supply voltage can be achieved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupply voltage stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the requirement for external inductors and capacitors from the voltage regulator design. The voltage converting device achieves stable and accurate supply voltage generation using only CMOS circuitry without needing external passive components, thereby reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining voltage stability through its self-contained architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Productivity

If multiple voltage regulators operate simultaneously, then required supply voltages are generated, but time differences cause latch-up

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupply voltage generationVSAvoidlatch-up prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple voltage regulator operations into a single unified voltage converting device that generates all supply voltages (VDDP1, VDDP2, VDDN1, VDDN2) in a coordinated manner. This unified operation eliminates the time differences between separate regulator activations, preventing latch-up conditions while maintaining the productivity of generating multiple supply voltages simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9389623B2Voltage converting device and electronic system thereof

Publication Date: 2016.07.12 NOVATEK MICROELECTRONICS CORP

AI summary

A voltage converting device with a self-reference feature for an electronic system includes a differential current generating module, implemented in a Complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) processing for generating a differential current pair according to a converting voltage; and a voltage converting module, coupled to the differential current generating module, a first supply voltage and a second supply voltage of the electronic system for generating the converting voltage according to the differential current pair, the first supply voltage and the second supply voltage.