Dual-LDO Power Supply Circuit for Wide Dynamic Load Current
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of managing wide and dynamic current consumption ranges in electronic devices, particularly in display driver integrated circuits, due to varying image data processing and operating modes, leads to inefficiencies in current supply, necessitating a method to adjust current supply accordingly.
Innovation Solution
An integrated circuit design incorporating a first and second low drop-output (LDO) regulator to generate and supply load currents from multiple power source voltages, with the second LDO regulator activating based on internal node voltage differences to stabilize the supply voltage across varying load conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single LDO regulator is used to supply current to the system load, then the device complexity is low, but the current consumption range cannot be efficiently managed and voltage drops occur under high load conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply circuit is segmented into a first LDO regulator for normal operation and a second LDO regulator for high-load conditions. Each regulator handles specific operating ranges, with the first regulator supplying current during normal conditions and the second regulator activating when the voltage difference at internal nodes exceeds a reference value, indicating high load demands.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between regulators based on real-time voltage differences at internal nodes. The second LDO regulator is selectively activated when the voltage difference exceeds a reference value, allowing the power supply circuit to adapt its complexity and current supply capability according to actual load conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If current supply is increased to cover widened current consumption range, then the current consumption range is covered, but unnecessary current consumption increases when high current is not needed
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts current supply by monitoring voltage differences at internal nodes of the first LDO regulator. When the voltage difference exceeds a reference value, indicating high current demand, the second LDO regulator is activated to supplement current supply. When the voltage difference is within the reference value, only the first regulator operates, avoiding unnecessary current consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the voltage difference at internal nodes to control regulator activation. The voltage difference serves as a feedback signal that triggers the second LDO regulator when it exceeds the reference value, ensuring current supply matches actual load requirements and preventing wasteful current consumption during normal operation.
3Use of energy by moving object
If multiple LDO regulators are used to handle dynamic current consumption, then current consumption efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply circuit is divided into functional segments: a first LDO regulator for normal operation and a second LDO regulator for high-load supplementation. This segmentation allows efficient current management across different operating ranges while maintaining modular architecture that limits overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The first LDO regulator monitors its own internal node voltage differences and automatically triggers the second regulator when needed. This self-service mechanism reduces the need for external control circuitry and complex management logic, as the system autonomously determines when additional current supply is required based on its own operational state.
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated circuit includes: a power supply circuit configured to generate a supply voltage from at least one of first and second power source voltages; and a system load that operates by receiving the supply voltage through an output node of the power supply circuit. The power supply circuit includes a first low drop-output (LDO) regulator that generates, from the first power source voltage, a first load current flowing to the system load through the output node; and a second LDO regulator that selectively generates a second load current flowing to the system load through the output node, from the second power source voltage based on a difference between voltages of internal nodes of the first LDO regulator.