Driver Chip Feedback Power Control for IR Drop Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Integrated circuits (ICs) face issues with IR drop due to series impedance and current consumption, leading to input voltages being lower than required driving voltages, which can hinder normal operation.

Innovation Solution

A feedback control system comprising a driver chip and a power chip, where the power chip generates a driving voltage based on a detection voltage from the driver chip, ensuring suitable power supply despite IR drops by minimizing power consumption between output and input terminals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If power is supplied through series impedance to the driver chip, then the driver chip can operate, but IR drop causes the input voltage to be lower than the required driving voltage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenormal operation of driver chipVSAvoidinput voltage level
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback control system where the driver chip detects its actual input voltage through a detection terminal and sends this detection voltage back to the power chip. The power chip uses this feedback to adjust its output driving voltage dynamically, ensuring the driver chip receives the precise voltage needed to overcome IR drop and maintain normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The driver chip performs self-diagnosis by detecting its own input voltage level through the detection terminal. It autonomously determines whether the voltage is sufficient and generates appropriate feedback signals to the power chip, enabling the system to self-regulate without external intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If feedback control is implemented between driver chip and power chip, then voltage accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage detection accuracyVSAvoidfeedback control system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the voltage detection function and feedback control logic directly within the driver chip's existing structure. The detection terminal is integrated with the driver chip's operational circuits, and the feedback signal is transmitted through existing communication interfaces, avoiding the need for separate dedicated feedback hardware and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The detection terminal in the driver chip serves multiple functions: it monitors input voltage for feedback control, diagnoses operational status, and communicates system health information. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated voltage sensing circuits, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining precise voltage control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20240028061A1Feedback control system and feedback control method
Publication Date: 2024.01.25 NOVATEK MICROELECTRONICS CORP
  • US20240028061A1 patent drawing
  • US20240028061A1 patent drawing
  • US20240028061A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A feedback control system includes a driver chip and a power chip. The driver chip includes a first output terminal and a first input terminal. The first output terminal is to output a first detection voltage. The power chip includes a second input terminal and a second output terminal. The second input terminal is directly connected to the first output terminal, and the second output terminal is coupled to the first input terminal. The power chip generates a driving voltage according to the first detection voltage and outputs the driving voltage to the first input terminal.