Digital Voltage Regulator Circuit for Low-Voltage Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional voltage regulator circuits cannot operate at low voltages due to the requirement of operating the operational amplifier at saturation.
Innovation Solution
A voltage regulator circuit comprising a plurality of transistors and a control circuit, where the control circuit determines the number of transistors to be turned on based on the difference between the output voltage and a predetermined reference voltage, allowing for dynamic modulation of the output voltage and enabling operation at low voltages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If an operational amplifier is used to control the conduction degree of the power MOSFET, then the output voltage can be regulated, but the circuit cannot operate at low voltages due to saturation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the continuous control function into discrete digital levels by using multiple switchable transistors (first, second, and third transistors) that can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows the circuit to achieve voltage regulation through discrete switching states rather than continuous analog control, enabling operation at low voltages where operational amplifiers would saturate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control by using a controller that adjusts the conduction states of multiple transistors based on feedback from the output voltage. The controller dynamically switches between different transistor combinations to regulate the output voltage, replacing the static saturation-based operational amplifier control with an adaptive digital control mechanism that functions effectively at low voltages.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the operational amplifier operates at saturation, then voltage regulation is achieved, but the device complexity increases and low-voltage operation becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the analog operational amplifier mechanism with a digital control system consisting of discrete transistors and a controller. This replacement transitions from a continuous analog control mechanism to a digital switching mechanism, eliminating the saturation requirement and enabling low-voltage operation while maintaining voltage regulation functionality through digital logic control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal voltage regulation mechanism that can operate across a wide voltage range by using a controller that adapts its control strategy based on the operating conditions. The same circuit structure handles both high-voltage and low-voltage scenarios through digital control, replacing the operational amplifier's limited saturation-based operation with a multi-functional digital control system.
Data Source
AI summary
A voltage regulator circuit includes a plurality of transistors and a control circuit. Each transistor has two source/drain terminal and a gate terminal. One source/drain terminal of each transistor is electrically coupled to a source voltage, and the other source/drain terminals of the transistors are electrically coupled to each other and corporately referred to as an output terminal of the voltage regulator circuit. The control circuit is electrically coupled to the gate terminals of the transistors and configured to determine the number of the transistors to be turned on according to the difference between the voltage at the output terminal and a predetermined reference voltage.