Current Mirror Fast Power-Up With Automatic Capacitance Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mirror circuits experience significant start-up delays due to capacitance created by the combination of circuits powered by the current mirror, which slows down the power supply start-up process.
Innovation Solution
A power circuit with aligned current paths and automatic discharge/charge mechanisms to control and quickly discharge/charge capacitance, enabling fast start-up of current paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If current mirror circuits are used to power multiple circuits, then power distribution capability is improved, but start-up delay increases due to capacitance
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge circuit is activated before the main power switch to pre-discharge the capacitance in the current mirror circuit. This preliminary action removes the charge that would otherwise cause start-up delay, allowing the current mirror to power up quickly when the main switch is closed, thus resolving the contradiction between power distribution capability and start-up speed
2Quantity of substance
If capacitance is present in current mirror circuits, then power storage capability is improved, but power-up speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge circuit performs preliminary discharge of the capacitance before the main power is applied. This allows the circuit to maintain the power storage capability of the capacitance during normal operation while eliminating the harmful effect of capacitance-induced delay during power-up, thus resolving the contradiction between power storage and power-up speed
3Speed
If automatic discharge circuit is added, then start-up speed is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge circuit is designed to automatically activate and discharge the capacitance without external control signals. The circuit self-regulates by detecting the power-up condition and automatically initiating the discharge process, then automatically disconnecting when discharge is complete. This self-service mechanism achieves fast start-up while minimizing control complexity
Solution Approach 2:
A discharge switch acts as an intermediary component that bridges the discharge circuit and the current mirror circuit. This intermediary element simplifies the overall circuit design by providing a dedicated, simple switching mechanism that controls the discharge path without requiring complex control logic, thus resolving the contradiction between start-up speed and device complexity
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 solution allows for rapid power-up of current mirror circuits by automatically managing capacitance, reducing start-up delays and ensuring swift power provision to connected circuits.
Implementation Method 1
The power source and feed circuit combine to present a capacitance. The discharge circuit is configured to discharge a charge associated with the capacitance when the enable switch is enabled.
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic charge/discharge circuit is presented that allows a current mirror circuit with a high capacitance to quickly and automatically charge or discharge the capacitance in order to allow for a fast start-up power supply. The charge/discharge circuit automatically stops charging or discharging as the voltage on the capacitance approached a desired steady state.