Dual Voltage Regulator Circuit for Low Power Sleep Mode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital circuits face challenges in efficiently managing power consumption between operating and sleep modes, with existing solutions failing to adequately reduce current consumption in sleep mode while preserving memory content and enabling efficient reactivation for operating mode.
Innovation Solution
A circuit with dual voltage regulators, where a first voltage regulator is used for operating mode and a second, low-current regulator for sleep mode, along with a switching device to control input activation and deactivation, ensuring minimal current consumption during sleep while maintaining memory integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If a single voltage regulator is used for both operating and sleep modes, then the circuit structure is simple, but the power consumption in sleep mode cannot be sufficiently reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage regulation function is segmented into two separate regulators: a first voltage regulator for operating mode and a second voltage regulator for sleep mode. This segmentation allows each regulator to be optimized for its specific mode, enabling significant power reduction in sleep mode while maintaining full functionality in operating mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit dynamically switches between two voltage regulator configurations based on operational mode. A switching device controls the connection between the memory elements and either the first or second voltage regulator, enabling the system to adapt its power consumption characteristics to the current operational requirements.
2Use of energy by stationary object
If inputs remain active during sleep mode, then the circuit can quickly respond to external signals, but current consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The switching device is configured to deactivate inputs before the voltage regulator switch-over occurs. This preliminary deactivation prevents unnecessary current consumption from active inputs during sleep mode while ensuring that the circuit is fully prepared for the low-power state transition.
3Use of energy by stationary object
If voltage is completely removed from memory elements in sleep mode, then power consumption is minimized, but information is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The second voltage regulator provides a reduced but non-zero voltage specifically to the memory elements during sleep mode. This local quality adjustment maintains the minimum voltage required for information retention while significantly reducing power consumption compared to full operating voltage.
4Use of energy by stationary object
If a second voltage regulator is added for sleep mode, then power consumption is reduced, but circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The switching device serves multiple functions: it deactivates inputs during sleep mode, controls the connection between memory elements and voltage regulators, and manages the transition between operating and sleep modes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional control circuitry despite the dual regulator configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit and method for operating a circuit is provided that includes a circuit section that has a number of memory elements, a first voltage regulator that can be connected or is connected to the circuit section in order to operate the circuit section, a second voltage regulator that can be connected or is connected to the circuit section in order to preserve an information item stored in the memory elements, a switching device that is connected to the circuit section and is designed to deactivate and activate inputs of the circuit section. The circuit being configured to control a deactivation and activation of the first voltage regulator and the deactivation and activation of the inputs of the circuit section.