Dual-Mode Voltage Regulator Merging Linear and Switching Circuits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Voltage regulators that operate in both linear and switching modes require a large number of electrical components, increasing fabrication costs without ensuring optimal operational performance.
Innovation Solution
A voltage regulating apparatus comprising a linear regulation unit, a switching regulation unit, a selection unit, and power transistors, where the selection unit chooses between error signals and PWM signals to determine the operating mode, allowing shared components and eliminating the need for discrete capacitors, thereby reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a voltage regulator includes both linear and switching modes to meet various user requirements, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to more electrical components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the linear and switching mode circuits into a single integrated voltage regulator chip, combining both operational modes within one device to reduce the total number of components while maintaining dual-mode functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage regulator is designed with universal components that can function in both linear and switching modes, allowing a single device to serve multiple operational requirements without needing separate dedicated circuits for each mode
2Adaptability or versatility
If more electrical components are included to enable both linear and switching modes, then the operational versatility is improved, but the fabrication cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines both linear and switching mode circuits into a single integrated voltage regulator chip, reducing component count and simplifying the fabrication process while maintaining dual-mode functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The design uses universal components that can operate in both linear and switching modes, eliminating the need for separate dedicated components for each mode and thereby reducing fabrication costs
Data Source
AI summary
The invention discloses a voltage regulating apparatus, which includes: a linear regulator generating a first error signal; a switching regulator generating a first and a second PWM signals; a selecting unit coupled to the linear and switching regulators, receiving the first error signal and the second PWM signal, and outputting a regulating signal; a first power transistor coupled to the switching regulator and receiving the first PWM signal; and a second power transistor coupled to the selecting unit and receiving the regulating signal; wherein the voltage regulating apparatus can be put either in a linear mode of operation if the first error signal is selected as the regulating signal, or in a switching mode of operation if the second PWM signal is selected as the regulating signal.