Constant Voltage Regulator Dynamic Gain Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing constant voltage regulators for low-power consumption electronic devices face challenges in effectively preventing voltage overshoot during power-on, as existing overshoot protection methods require significant current consumption or large capacitors and resistors, making them impractical for implementation in single integrated circuits.
Innovation Solution
A constant voltage regulator with a differential gain controller that adjusts the gain of the differential amplifier based on the difference between input and output voltages, using a switch and diode-connected transistors to control the gate-to-source voltage of the driver transistor, thereby reducing overshoot by adjusting the amplifier's gain dynamically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional overshoot protection methods are used, then voltage overshoot is prevented, but current consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic gain adjustment in the differential amplifier by switching between a first gain (during startup) and a second gain (during normal operation). This dynamic change allows the system to prevent voltage overshoot during power-on while consuming minimal current during steady-state operation, resolving the contradiction between reliability and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by using a startup current that is larger than the normal operating current to quickly establish stable voltage regulation during power-on. This preliminary high-current action prevents voltage overshoot before it occurs, after which the system transitions to low-current normal operation, thus preventing overshoot without sustaining high current consumption.
2Reliability
If large capacitors and resistors are used for overshoot protection, then voltage stability improves, but device size and integration complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the differential amplifier by dynamically adjusting its gain rather than using fixed large capacitors and resistors. This parameter change approach achieves voltage stability and overshoot prevention through electronic control rather than passive component sizing, reducing integration complexity and enabling single-chip implementation.
3Measurement precision
If the differential amplifier operates with high gain continuously, then voltage regulation precision improves, but voltage overshoot occurs during power-on
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic gain switching where the differential amplifier operates with a first gain during startup to prevent overshoot, then switches to a second (higher) gain during normal operation to achieve precise voltage regulation. This temporal separation of gain values resolves the contradiction between precision and overshoot prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action through two distinct operational phases: a startup phase with higher current and lower gain to prevent overshoot, followed by a normal operation phase with lower current and higher gain for precision regulation. This periodic switching between operational modes resolves the contradiction between precision and reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A voltage regulator includes a driver transistor, a feedback voltage generator, a reference voltage generator, a first differential amplifier, and a differential gain controller. The driver transistor is connected between input and output terminals to conduct a current therethrough according to a control signal applied to a gate terminal thereof. The feedback voltage generator is connected to the output terminal to generate a feedback voltage. The reference voltage generator generates a reference voltage. The first differential amplifier has an output thereof connected to the gate terminal of the driver transistor, and a pair of differential inputs thereof connected to the feedback voltage generator and the reference voltage generator, respectively, to generate the control signal at the output thereof. The differential gain controller is connected to the output of the first differential amplifier to control the differential gain according to a difference between the input and output voltages.