Current-Mirror Voltage Regulator for Stable Wide-Bandwidth Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional voltage regulators with operational amplifiers occupy larger areas and have limited operational bandwidth due to complex circuitry, and voltage followers are sensitive to temperature and load changes.
Innovation Solution
A voltage regulator device comprising a first impedance, a reference current generation circuit, a current mirror circuit, a second impedance, and a negative feedback circuit, where the ratios between the impedances and currents are inversely proportional, allowing for temperature-independent output voltage regulation without redundant component variability compensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an operational amplifier is used to regulate voltage, then the output voltage remains stable under load changes, but the circuit occupies a larger area and has limited operational bandwidth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the voltage regulation function into separate components: a reference voltage generation unit, a feedback voltage generation unit, and a switching control unit. This segmentation replaces the monolithic operational amplifier with modular functional blocks, reducing overall circuit complexity and area while maintaining voltage regulation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the core voltage regulation function from the complex operational amplifier circuit and implements it using simpler components: voltage references, impedance networks, and switching elements. This extraction eliminates unnecessary sub-circuits while preserving the essential voltage stabilization function.
2Reliability
If an operational amplifier is used for voltage regulation, then voltage stability is achieved, but component variability compensation is required which limits operational bandwidth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-compensation through the feedback mechanism where the feedback voltage automatically adjusts based on output conditions. The circuit inherently compensates for component variations through its feedback topology, eliminating the need for external compensation circuits and enabling broader operational bandwidth.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter-based design where impedance values and voltage references are selected to inherently compensate for component variability. By carefully choosing component parameters during design, the circuit achieves stability without requiring active compensation mechanisms that would limit bandwidth.
3Device complexity
If a voltage follower is used to generate voltage, then the structure is simple, but the output voltage changes with temperature and load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by generating a feedback voltage that is compared with a reference voltage to control the output. This feedback mechanism corrects deviations caused by temperature and load changes, providing stable output voltage while maintaining a relatively simple circuit structure compared to full operational amplifier implementations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional circuit that combines voltage reference generation, feedback voltage generation, and load regulation in a single integrated structure. This universal approach replaces multiple separate components with one cohesive circuit that handles both simplicity and stability requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A device includes a first impedance; a reference current generation circuit configured to generate a reference current according to a first potential difference, a reference voltage, and a first impedance value of the first impedance; a current mirror circuit configured to output an output current having a first ratio to the reference current according to the reference current; a second impedance configured to generate an output voltage according to a second impedance value of the second impedance, a voltage of a first node which is the same as the first potential difference, and the output current; and a negative feedback circuit configured to generate a feedback voltage according to the voltage of the first node, and adjust the output voltage according to the feedback voltage. There is a second ratio that is inversely proportional to the first ratio between the second impedance value and the first impedance value.