Dual Loop Voltage Regulator Without Capacitors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional low drop-out voltage regulators for mobile devices face challenges in maintaining stable power output due to load variations without the use of capacitors, leading to increased production costs and defect rates.
Innovation Solution
A voltage regulator design incorporating a pass element, buffer, error amplifier, and fast push-pull driver forms both DC and AC feedback loops to rapidly stabilize power output, eliminating overshoot and undershoot without the need for capacitors, enabling on-chip integration and reducing production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a relatively great capacitance of a capacitor is installed inside or outside the chip to stabilize an output voltage by reducing the ripple, then the output voltage stability is improved, but the production cost increases and the defect rate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the capacitor component from the voltage regulator system. By removing the capacitor, the invention avoids the associated production costs and defect rates while maintaining output voltage stability through an alternative mechanism involving a low-pass filter and feedback control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where the output voltage is continuously monitored and compared with a reference voltage. The error signal generated is used to adjust the pass transistor gate voltage, thereby stabilizing the output voltage without requiring a capacitor. This closed-loop feedback system replaces the traditional capacitor-based stabilization approach.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a relatively great capacitance of a capacitor is installed inside or outside the chip to stabilize an output voltage by reducing the ripple, then the output voltage stability is improved, but the defect rate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the capacitor component from the voltage regulator system. By removing the capacitor, the invention avoids the associated production costs and defect rates while maintaining output voltage stability through an alternative mechanism involving a low-pass filter and feedback control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage regulator system performs self-correction through the feedback mechanism. When output voltage variations occur, the system automatically detects the error and adjusts the pass transistor accordingly, eliminating the need for external capacitor components that would otherwise be required for stabilization.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional voltage regulator design is used without capacitors, then production cost is reduced and on-chip integration is enabled, but the response speed to load variations is slow and overshoot/undershoot occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the feedback control into two distinct loops: a DC feedback loop for steady-state voltage regulation and an AC feedback loop for transient response to load variations. This segmentation allows each loop to be optimized for its specific function, enabling fast response without capacitors while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control through the AC feedback loop that actively responds to load variations. The loop detects voltage changes and rapidly adjusts the pass transistor gate voltage, providing dynamic compensation for load transients and eliminating overshoot/undershoot without requiring capacitor components.
4Device complexity
If conventional voltage regulator design is used without capacitors, then on-chip integration is enabled, but overshoot or undershoot generated due to load variation cannot be minimized within a short time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the feedback control into two distinct loops: a DC feedback loop for steady-state voltage regulation and an AC feedback loop for transient response to load variations. This segmentation allows each loop to be optimized for its specific function, enabling fast response without capacitors while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where the output voltage is continuously monitored and compared with a reference voltage. The error signal generated is used to adjust the pass transistor gate voltage, thereby stabilizing the output voltage without requiring a capacitor. This closed-loop feedback system replaces the traditional capacitor-based stabilization approach.
Data Source
AI summary
A voltage regulator includes a pass element, a buffer, and an error amplifier. The voltage regulator further includes a fast push-pull driver that has an inverter type amplification structure, is connected between a power output and a control input of the pass element, and reduces positive and negative peaks of the power output at a speed faster than a speed of a main feedback loop.