Digitally Phase Locked LDO Regulator for Digital Design Compatibility

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Fine-grained voltage domains in processors pose challenges for power delivery and voltage regulation due to the need for precise voltage control across different domains, with existing analog LDO regulators offering high bandwidth but being incompatible with digital design flows, and digital LDO regulators suffering from lower bandwidth and errors in regulation.

Innovation Solution

A digitally phase locked LDO regulator is introduced, utilizing a second-order phase-locked loop with voltage control oscillators and a phase frequency detector to achieve precise voltage regulation, providing faster response times and stability by employing a faster feedback loop and minimizing ripple around the reference voltage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If analog LDO regulators are used, then bandwidth and response speed are improved, but compatibility with digital design flows deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebandwidthVSAvoidcompatibility with digital design flows

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the analog control mechanism with a digital control system. The analog LDO regulator uses continuous voltage comparison and analog feedback, while the digital LDO regulator uses discrete voltage sampling, digital processing, and digital control signals to regulate the output voltage, achieving compatibility with digital design flows while maintaining regulation functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operating parameters from continuous analog values to discrete digital values. The control system samples voltages at specific intervals, processes them digitally with defined thresholds and hysteresis parameters, and adjusts the output through discrete control steps, transforming the continuous analog regulation process into a digital parameter-based control process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If digital LDO regulators are used, then compatibility with digital design flows is improved, but bandwidth and response speed deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with digital design flowsVSAvoidbandwidth

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic sampling of the output voltage and reference voltage at defined intervals, with periodic updating of control registers and periodic adjustment of the output. This structured periodic digital control maintains compatibility with digital design flows while achieving adequate response speed for voltage regulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent pre-configures control registers with optimal control values, pre-defines voltage thresholds and hysteresis parameters, and pre-establishes the digital control logic before operation. This preliminary setup enables fast response during actual regulation by eliminating real-time computation delays

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If digital LDO regulators are used, then compatibility with digital design flows is improved, but manufacturing precision and regulation accuracy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with digital design flowsVSAvoidregulation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements multiple sampling points for voltage measurement, uses multi-bit digital-to-analog converters with higher precision than minimum required, and applies oversampling techniques to achieve regulation accuracy that exceeds the basic digital control requirements, compensating for inherent digital quantization errors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent continuously samples the output voltage and reference voltage, compares them using digital comparators with defined hysteresis, and adjusts the control registers based on the detected voltage difference. This closed-loop digital feedback mechanism maintains regulation accuracy by continuously correcting deviations from the target voltage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2901235B1Digitally phase locked low dropout regulator

Publication Date: 2020.05.27 INTEL CORP

Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C

AI summary

Described is an apparatus which comprises: a first oscillator to generate a first clock signal a second oscillator to generate a second clock signal; a phase frequency detector to detect phase difference between the first and second clock signals, and to generate a phase difference; and an output stage, coupled to a load, to generate a power supply for the load according to the phase difference.