Demand-Driven DC Voltage Regulator Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
DC voltage regulators in memory devices consume excess power due to bias currents when the current demand is below maximum, leading to inefficiency, as multiple regulators are kept active even when not all memory banks are in use.
Innovation Solution
Implement a system to dynamically enable only the necessary number of DC voltage regulators based on the current demand by calculating the number of active banks and using control commands and timer signals to manage power distribution, ensuring fast response to increasing power needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multiple DC voltage regulators are kept active to accommodate maximum current demand, then the current supply capability is improved, but the power consumption increases due to bias currents
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of active voltage regulators based on real-time current demand. The power management circuit monitors the number of active memory banks and enables or disables voltage regulators accordingly, transitioning the system from a static configuration to a dynamic one that adapts to changing operational conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The power management approach segments the voltage regulation functionality into individually controllable units. Instead of treating multiple voltage regulators as a single monolithic system, each regulator can be independently enabled or disabled based on the specific power needs of active memory banks, allowing granular control over power consumption.
2Loss of energy
If the number of voltage regulators is reduced to match current demand, then the power consumption is reduced, but the response time to handle sudden current demands increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares for potential current demands by maintaining voltage regulators in a low-power ready state rather than fully disabling them. This preliminary preparation allows regulators to be quickly activated when needed, reducing the response time penalty while still achieving significant power savings during low-demand periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of voltage regulators, transitioning them between different power states (fully active, partially active, or disabled) based on current demand. This parameter adjustment allows the system to optimize the balance between power consumption and response time by fine-tuning the operational state of each regulator.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device may include a main circuit including multiple sub-circuits powered by a direct-current (DC) power supply circuit. The main circuit has a main circuit current demand being a time-varying demand for a DC voltage-regulated supply current being a function of a number of the sub-circuits being active. The DC power supply circuit may include multiple DC voltage regulators to provide the main circuit with the supply current and a command decoding and power management circuit to control enablement of the voltage regulators. The command decoding and power management circuit may be configured to detect an instant value of the main circuit current demand and to selectively enable one or more of the voltage regulators based on the detected instant value.