Dual-Input LDO Regulator With Diode Leakage Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LDO voltage regulators face challenges in providing a regulated voltage independently from two independent supply ports without leaking current back to a voltage source with a lower voltage, especially in high-voltage applications where efficient power management is crucial.
Innovation Solution
A dual-input LDO voltage regulator circuit with blocking diodes and circuitry that prevents leakage from a voltage input with a lower voltage, using active diodes to maintain a low maximum dropout voltage and ensure the regulated voltage is supplied from both inputs, even when one input is lower than the regulated output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If blocking diodes are added to prevent leakage current, then current leakage is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Blocking diodes are introduced as intermediary components between the voltage inputs and the regulated output. These diodes act as mediators that selectively allow current flow in forward direction while blocking reverse current, thereby preventing leakage from the regulated output back to inputs with lower voltage without requiring complex control circuitry
Solution Approach 2:
The leakage prevention function is extracted as a separate, dedicated function performed by the blocking diodes. Instead of attempting to prevent leakage through complex integrated control within the LDO circuitry, the patent extracts this function into discrete diode components that can be independently optimized and configured
2Power
If the LDO regulator is designed for high-voltage applications, then voltage handling capability is improved, but power efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The dual-input LDO regulator with blocking diodes provides multi-functionality by accommodating both high-voltage and low-voltage inputs through the same circuit architecture. The blocking diodes enable the regulator to universally accept inputs from different voltage sources without requiring separate circuit designs, maintaining power efficiency across varying voltage conditions while handling high voltages when needed
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively prevents voltage leakage and maintains a low dropout voltage, enabling efficient power regulation across varying input voltages, ensuring reliable operation in high-voltage scenarios without the need for external capacitors.
Implementation Method 1
circuitry configured to block leakage from a first voltage input with a first blocking diode when the first voltage input is less than the regulated voltage output
Data Source
AI summary
A low dropout (LDO) includes voltage inputs to receive input from voltage sources. The LDO voltage regulator includes a regulated voltage output, blocking diodes, and circuitry configured to block leakage from a first voltage input with a first blocking diode when the first voltage input is less than the regulated voltage output, and to provide the regulated voltage output from the first voltage input and a second voltage input.