Dynamic Dropout Control for Power Supply Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power supplies experience higher power consumption and poor efficiency due to constant dropout voltage at different loading or selected output voltages, limiting their performance.
Innovation Solution
A power supply circuit and method utilizing a power converter, a low dropout (LDO) regulator, and a reference voltage generator to dynamically adjust the first DC voltage based on input and control terminal voltages of the LDO regulator, minimizing dropout voltage and reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a conventional power supply uses a constant dropout voltage design, then the circuit structure is simple, but the power consumption is high and efficiency is poor at different loading conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic dropout control by making the reference voltage adjustable based on operating conditions. The controller dynamically modifies the reference voltage to the power converter, which in turn adjusts the regulated voltage to the LDO regulator, enabling the dropout voltage to vary with loading conditions and maintain optimal efficiency across different operating points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical parameter (reference voltage) of the power converter based on operating conditions. By detecting the output voltage and adjusting the reference voltage accordingly, the system optimizes the dropout voltage of the LDO regulator, reducing power consumption while maintaining regulation across varying load conditions.
2Device complexity
If a conventional power supply uses a constant dropout voltage design, then the circuit structure is simple, but the efficiency is poor at different selected output voltages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the output voltage is detected and fed back to the controller. The controller uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the reference voltage to the power converter, creating a closed-loop system that optimizes efficiency at different selected output voltages while maintaining stable regulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static constant dropout voltage design to a dynamic design where the reference voltage and regulated voltage are continuously adjusted based on the selected output voltage and loading conditions, enabling the LDO regulator to maintain high efficiency across its operating range.
3Loss of energy
If the reference voltage is dynamically adjusted to minimize dropout voltage, then power consumption is reduced and efficiency is improved, but the control circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs multiple functions: it detects the output voltage, determines the optimal reference voltage based on operating conditions, and adjusts the power converter's reference voltage accordingly. This multi-functional approach consolidates control logic into a single component, managing the increased complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own output voltage detection capability to automatically determine and adjust the reference voltage without requiring external intervention. The controller self-regulates the power consumption by dynamically adapting the reference voltage based on real-time operating conditions, making the complexity management self-contained.
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply uses a power converter to generate a regulated voltage by referencing to a first DC voltage, a low dropout (LDO) regulator to generate an output voltage from the regulated voltage by referencing to a second DC voltage, and a reference voltage generator to dynamically adjust the first DC voltage according to the input voltage and the control voltage of the output transistor of the LDO regulator. The dropout voltage of the LDO regulator can be minimized to maintain the high efficiency of the power supply at different loading or selected output voltages.