Digital Regulator Initialization Phase for Response Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital Low Dropout Regulators (D-LDOs) face challenges in response time due to the need for a large number of transistors to be turned on when regulating high output voltages, leading to prolonged response times.
Innovation Solution
A digital regulator with a voltage comparison circuit, counter, and decoder that divides the voltage range into sub-voltage ranges, allowing for initial configuration of switch units based on the reference voltage signal, thereby optimizing the number of transistors turned on for efficient voltage regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large number of transistors are turned on to regulate high output voltages, then the output voltage regulation capability is improved, but the response time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the initial state of switch units based on the reference voltage magnitude before the regulation process begins. The voltage comparison circuit compares the reference voltage with a threshold to generate an initialization signal that pre-sets the number of initially turned-on transistors. This preliminary configuration reduces the response time by avoiding the need to gradually turn on a large number of transistors from scratch, directly addressing the technical contradiction between regulation capability and response time.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of initially turned-on transistors is increased for high output voltage regulation, then the voltage regulation range is improved, but the circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses preliminary action through an initialization phase that pre-configures the switch circuit based on the reference voltage level. The voltage comparison circuit and initialization signal generator prepare the optimal number of switch units to be turned on before regulation begins, allowing the system to handle a wide voltage regulation range without requiring complex real-time control mechanisms. This approach expands adaptability while keeping the control circuit relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the switch circuit into multiple independent switch units that can be individually controlled. The voltage comparison circuit segments the voltage regulation task by comparing the reference voltage with thresholds and generating corresponding initialization signals for different numbers of switch units. This segmentation allows flexible configuration of the initially turned-on transistors to match the required output voltage level, achieving wide regulation range with manageable circuit complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A digital regulator includes a voltage comparison circuit, a counter, a decoder and a switch circuit. At an initialization phase, the voltage comparison circuit is configured to compare the reference voltage signal and a first signal to output a first level signal, and the counter is configured to initialize and output an initialization signal as a control signal according to the first level signal. At an operation phase, the voltage comparison circuit is configured to compare the reference voltage signal and an output terminal of the switch circuit to output a second level signal, and the counter is configured to count according to the second level signal and output the control signal. The decoder is configured to turn on the plurality of switch units according to the control signal from the counter.