Power Supply Decoupling Circuit with Stabilization and Dynamic Capacitance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power supply decoupling circuits occupy a large area on chips and result in longer jitter components due to their large RC constant, which degrades performance.
Innovation Solution
A power supply decoupling circuit design that includes a first operational amplifier, a capacitor, a source resistor formed by parasitic metal resistance, and a stabilization circuit with operational amplifiers and transistors to reduce the RC constant and stabilize voltage levels, thereby reducing chip area and jitter component duration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional power supply decoupling circuit uses a large decoupling capacitor, then the decoupling effect is improved, but the chip area occupied increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the effective capacitance parameter dynamically by using a capacitor array with selectable connections. Different capacitor combinations can be activated based on frequency requirements, allowing the system to achieve strong decoupling effect at multiple frequencies without requiring a single large capacitor that would occupy excessive chip area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides a large decoupling capacitor into multiple smaller capacitor segments that can be independently controlled and connected in different configurations. This segmentation allows the system to achieve the equivalent decoupling effect of a large capacitor at specific frequencies while using much less total chip area, as only necessary capacitor segments are activated.
2Reliability
If a conventional power supply decoupling circuit uses a large decoupling capacitor, then the decoupling effect is improved, but the RC constant increases resulting in longer jitter components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic capacitor selection and switching mechanisms that allow the decoupling circuit to adapt its capacitance value based on operating conditions and frequency requirements. This dynamic adjustment optimizes the RC constant by using smaller effective capacitance values when appropriate, thereby reducing jitter component duration while maintaining decoupling effectiveness through active selection of optimal capacitor combinations.
3Area of stationary object
If a power supply decoupling circuit uses switched capacitor arrays, then chip area is reduced, but voltage ripple may increase during switching transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs preliminary charging and pre-charging mechanisms where capacitors are charged to appropriate voltage levels before being switched into the decoupling circuit. This preliminary action ensures that when capacitors are connected or disconnected, minimal voltage transients or ripples are introduced to the power supply node, thereby reducing harmful voltage ripple while maintaining the area-efficient switched capacitor architecture.
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 proposed design reduces chip area occupied by decoupling capacitors, increases equivalent capacitance, and decreases the RC constant, resulting in shorter and less impactful jitter components.
Implementation Method 1
A decoupling capacitor is a capacitor used to decouple one part of a circuit from another. Noise caused by other circuit elements is shunted through the capacitor
Implementation Method 2
a first operational amplifier, wherein the first operational amplifier has a positive input terminal coupled to a first reference voltage, a negative input terminal coupled to a common supply node, and an output terminal
Implementation Method 3
a second transistor, wherein the second transistor has a control terminal coupled to the output terminal of the second operational amplifier, a first terminal coupled to a relatively high supply voltage, and a second terminal coupled to the common supply node
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply decoupling circuit includes an operational amplifier, a capacitor, a source resistor, and a stabilization circuit. The operational amplifier has a positive input terminal coupled to a first reference voltage, a negative input terminal coupled to a common supply node, and an output terminal. The capacitor is coupled between the common supply node and the output terminal of the operational amplifier. The source resistor is coupled between a supply voltage and the common supply node. The stabilization circuit is coupled between the common supply node and a ground voltage. The stabilization circuit stabilizes a voltage level of the common supply node when the voltage level of the common supply node is below a second reference voltage. The common supply node is configured to drive external circuits with the supply voltage as power supply of the external circuits.