Downstream Power Supply Feedback for Transient Current

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern electronic circuits, such as microprocessors and systems on a chip, face challenges in maintaining voltage and current requirements across varying load conditions due to increasing power demands and rapid current steps, which traditional power supply circuits struggle to manage effectively.

Innovation Solution

A dual power supply system is implemented, where a downstream power supply rapidly delivers current in response to load transients and generates a feedback signal to control an upstream power supply, ensuring that both supplies work together to meet the voltage and current needs of the target circuit across a wide range of loading conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If traditional power supply circuits are used, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to meet rapid current steps and maintain voltage stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurrent delivery speedVSAvoidpower supply architecture complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply system is divided into two independent power supply circuits (first and second power supply circuits), each capable of delivering current to the power supply rail. This segmentation allows each circuit to be optimized for specific functions, with the second circuit providing fast transient current while the first circuit provides sustained current, thereby achieving high-speed current delivery without requiring a single overly complex power supply design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between different power supply circuits based on load conditions. The second power supply circuit is activated during transient high-current demands to provide rapid current steps, while the first power supply circuit handles steady-state operation. This dynamic allocation of power supply resources optimizes the speed response to current demands while managing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If a single power supply circuit is used, then device complexity is minimized, but the ability to maintain voltage stability across varying load conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage stabilityVSAvoidpower supply architecture complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply function is segmented into two independent circuits that both connect to the same power supply rail. The first power supply circuit maintains voltage stability during normal operation, while the second power supply circuit is designed to respond to transient load changes. This segmentation allows each circuit to be optimized for its specific role in maintaining voltage stability under different operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs feedback mechanisms where each power supply circuit monitors the power supply rail conditions and adjusts its output accordingly. The second power supply circuit detects transient current demands and activates to provide additional current, while the first power supply circuit adjusts to maintain overall voltage stability. This feedback-based coordination between the two circuits enhances voltage stability across varying load conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Use of energy by moving object

If power supply voltage is decreased to meet modern circuit requirements, then power consumption is reduced, but the ability to deliver sufficient current deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcurrent delivery capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between power supply circuits based on current demand characteristics. The second power supply circuit is specifically designed to provide high current during transient conditions when low voltage is required, while the first power supply circuit handles steady-state operation. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain low power consumption during normal operation while delivering sufficient current when needed through the second circuit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The second power supply circuit is activated periodically or on-demand during transient current demands rather than operating continuously. This periodic activation allows the system to maintain low power consumption during steady-state operation while providing high current delivery capability when transient loads occur, effectively decoupling average power consumption from peak current delivery capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3458930B1Power supplies with feedback
Publication Date: 2020.07.08 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3458930B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3458930B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3458930B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Features and advantages of certain embodiments include a plurality of power supplies that work together to deliver power to a target circuit. In one embodiment, a downstream power supply provides a fast current delivery in response to load current transients and generates a feedback signal to control an upstream power supply so that the upstream and downstream power supplies work together to meet the current and voltage requirements of a target circuit across a wide range of loading conditions.