Control Chip Multi-Voltage Support via Integrated Regulator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional memory cards either incur increased cost due to additional voltage regulators for supporting multiple voltages or require enlarged voltage regulators to supply high currents, leading to increased costs and potential damage from mismatched power supplies.
Innovation Solution
A control chip with a voltage regulator, pad power supplier, core controller, and output circuit that transforms and adjusts external working voltages to support multiple voltage modes without additional regulators, allowing the memory card to automatically configure for different power supply voltages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an external voltage regulator is added to support multiple voltages, then the memory card can support different power supplies, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the external voltage regulator functionality into the control chip by integrating a voltage regulator unit that can handle both 3.3V and 1.8V inputs. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate external voltage regulators, reducing component count and manufacturing cost while maintaining multi-voltage support capability
Solution Approach 2:
The control chip is designed with a universal voltage regulator unit that can operate with different input voltages (3.3V or 1.8V) and automatically adapt to the host's power supply. This multi-functional design allows the same chip to support multiple voltage standards without requiring different hardware configurations
2Power
If the voltage regulator area is enlarged to supply high current, then enough current can be provided, but the control chip area and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply function is segmented between the integrated voltage regulator unit in the control chip and the pad power supplier. The voltage regulator handles voltage transformation efficiently, while the pad power supplier provides additional current capability without requiring the voltage regulator area to be enlarged, thus resolving the contradiction between current supply and area usage
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
Enables memory cards to operate under various power supply voltages without additional regulators, reducing manufacturing costs and preventing damage from voltage mismatches.
Implementation Method 1
The voltage regulator receives an external working voltage and transforms the external working voltage into a working voltage
Implementation Method 2
The pad power supplier receives the external working voltage and adjusts a level of the external working voltage to output a pad working voltage according to an operating mode
Data Source
AI summary
A memory card and a control chip capable of supporting various voltage supplies and a method of supporting voltages are discussed. The memory card includes a flash memory and a control chip for controlling the flash memory, and the control chip has a voltage regulator, a pad power supplier, a core controller and an output circuit. The voltage regulator transforms an external working voltage into a working voltage. The pad power supplier receives the external working voltage and adjusts a level of the external working voltage to output a pad working voltage according to an operating mode. The core controller receives the working voltage to work and generates a control signal. The output circuit receives the control signal and outputs a memory control signal according to a level of the pad working voltage. The control chip controls a flash memory with the memory control signal.