Digital Voltage Regulator Control for Fast Transient Recovery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing voltage regulator solutions, particularly inductor-based ones, face challenges in achieving fast transient response due to physical limitations of inductors and parasitic inductances, which affect the efficiency and stability of power delivery to advanced microprocessors.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a Digital Linear Voltage Regulator (DLVR) that combines Non-Linear Control (NLC) and Linear Control (LC) techniques, eliminating the need for inductors and enabling faster transient recovery through digitally implemented control methods, such as a Binary Search Algorithm (BSA) for output current adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If inductor-based voltage regulator solutions are used, then higher efficiency operation is achieved in certain operating conditions, but transient response time becomes relatively poor due to physical limitations of the inductor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical inductor-based voltage regulation system with a digital control system that uses binary search algorithm and linear control techniques to regulate voltage. This substitution eliminates the physical limitations of inductors while maintaining voltage regulation functionality, achieving both high efficiency and fast transient response.
Solution Approach 2:
The binary search algorithm performs preliminary voltage level determination by systematically testing and narrowing down the appropriate voltage range before final regulation. This preliminary action allows the system to quickly converge on the correct voltage setting, significantly improving transient response time compared to traditional inductor-based approaches.
2Power
If inductor-based voltage regulator solutions are used, then power delivery is achieved, but transient recovery time is slow due to parasitic inductances and physical limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the physical inductor-based power delivery mechanism with a digital control system that regulates power through binary search algorithm and linear control. This eliminates parasitic inductances and physical limitations, enabling fast transient recovery while maintaining effective power delivery to the load.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback monitoring of the output voltage and uses this information to dynamically adjust the control signal through binary search and linear control mechanisms. This feedback loop enables rapid detection and correction of voltage deviations, achieving fast transient recovery time while maintaining stable power delivery.
3Speed
If digital linear voltage regulator with binary search control is implemented, then transient recovery speed is significantly improved, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into distinct functional blocks: binary search control unit, linear control unit, and their integration logic. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while making the overall complex system more manageable and implementable through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically switches between binary search mode and linear control mode based on the operating conditions and voltage deviation magnitude. This dynamic operation allows the system to achieve fast transient recovery when needed while maintaining simplicity during steady-state operation, effectively managing the complexity-performance tradeoff.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, system, and method for voltage regulator (VR) control are provided. An apparatus can include first, second, and third comparators configured to determine whether a load voltage (VLOAD) drops below a lower non-linear control (NLC) threshold, drops below a lower linear control (LC) threshold, and exceeds an upper LC threshold, respectively. The apparatus can include power gates (PGs) configured to adjust an output voltage (VOUT) based on a provided power gate (PG) code. The apparatus can include voltage regulator (VR) controller circuitry comprising synchronous LC circuitry and asynchronous NLC circuitry, the LC circuitry configured to increment or decrement the PG code responsive to the VLOAD dropping below the LC threshold and exceeding the upper LC threshold, respectively, and the NLC circuitry configured to increase the PG code based on a number of consecutive NLC droop events and responsive to the VLOAD dropping below the lower NLC threshold.