Digital Low-Dropout Regulator for High Current and Low Dropout Voltage
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-performance integrated circuits require large currents, leading to increased dropout voltage in analog low-dropout (LDO) regulators, which can be mitigated by developing digital LDO regulators with improved response speed and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device incorporates an amplifier circuit, an analog-to-digital converter, and low-dropout regulators that adjust output voltages based on digital codes, utilizing a global control loop for accuracy and a local control loop for speed, with a calibration circuit to calibrate differences between output voltages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If analog LDO regulators are used to provide large currents, then the current requirement is met, but the dropout voltage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the analog control mechanism with a digital control system. The LDO regulator uses a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) controlled by digital signals from a processor to adjust the output voltage, rather than using traditional analog control circuits. This digital substitution allows for more precise control and reduces the dropout voltage while maintaining the ability to provide large currents.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from continuous analog signals to discrete digital values. By using digital codes to control the DAC, the system can precisely adjust the output voltage in small increments, enabling better regulation and lower dropout voltage even when delivering high current loads.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If digital LDO regulators are used to reduce dropout voltage, then the dropout voltage decreases, but the response speed and accuracy need improvement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control system into multiple components: a processor that generates digital control codes, a DAC that converts digital codes to analog control voltages, and the LDO regulator that executes the voltage adjustment. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the processor handling complex control algorithms and the DAC providing fast conversion, thereby improving overall response speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the output voltage is monitored and compared with the desired voltage, and the difference is used to adjust the digital control code. This closed-loop feedback ensures fast response to load changes and maintains high accuracy by continuously correcting any deviations in the output voltage.
3Speed
If digital LDO regulators are used to improve response speed, then the response speed increases, but the accuracy of output voltage needs improvement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a precision feedback mechanism that monitors the output voltage and compares it with the target voltage. The feedback loop uses high-resolution analog-to-digital converters to accurately measure the output voltage and adjusts the digital control code accordingly, ensuring both fast response and high accuracy in the output voltage regulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses high-resolution digital codes with multiple bits to control the DAC, enabling fine-grained adjustment of the output voltage. By increasing the resolution of the digital control parameter, the system achieves both fast response through digital control and high accuracy through precise voltage steps.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an electronic device, which includes an amplifier circuit that receives a feedback voltage and a reference voltage and amplifies a difference between the feedback voltage and the reference voltage to output an amplified difference voltage, an analog-to-digital converter that converts the amplified difference voltage to a digital code including two or more bits, and low-dropout (LDO) regulators that outputs output voltages based on the digital code. Each of the LDO regulators includes power transistors outputting a corresponding output voltage of the output voltages, drives one of the power transistors in a switching state, and drives each of remaining power transistors in a turned-on state or a turned-off state.