Dynamic LDO Power Management for Lower Voltage Drop Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
The limited lifespan of batteries in power management devices affects device performance and user convenience, as existing power management systems do not efficiently manage power voltages to optimize battery life and operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A power management device incorporating a switching regulator to generate a conversion voltage, low drop-out (LDO) regulators to produce multiple output voltages, and a controller to estimate drop-out voltages based on output currents, dynamically controlling the conversion voltage to improve efficiency and extend battery life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the conversion voltage is kept high to ensure sufficient voltage headroom for LDO regulators, then the LDO regulators can maintain stable output voltages, but the voltage difference between input and output increases causing higher power loss and reduced efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the conversion voltage adjustable rather than fixed. The controller dynamically modifies the conversion voltage output from the switching regulator based on real-time operating conditions, allowing the system to optimize between maintaining sufficient voltage headroom for LDO stability and minimizing the voltage difference to reduce power loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control where the controller monitors the operation states of functional blocks and adjusts the conversion voltage accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables the system to respond to changing load conditions and maintain optimal voltage levels, ensuring LDO regulators remain stable while minimizing energy loss during voltage conversion.
2Loss of energy
If the conversion voltage is dynamically adjusted to minimize voltage difference and improve efficiency, then power loss is reduced and battery life is extended, but the system complexity increases due to additional control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs multiple functions: it manages the switching regulator, monitors LDO regulator operation states, determines functional block status, and adjusts conversion voltage dynamically. By consolidating these diverse control tasks into a single multi-functional controller, the patent reduces overall system complexity while achieving dynamic voltage optimization for minimal power loss.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple LDO regulators are used to provide different output voltages for various functional blocks, then the adaptability and versatility of the power management system is improved, but the number of components and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple LDO regulators into a single integrated power management device along with the switching regulator and controller. This merging approach provides the versatility of multiple voltage outputs while consolidating control functions and reducing the overall component count and system complexity compared to separate discrete implementations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances the conversion efficiency of the power management device by reducing the difference between input and output voltages of LDO regulators, thereby improving the overall efficiency and extending battery life, ensuring consistent device performance and user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
at least one switching regulator to generate a conversion voltage from an input voltage
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of low drop-out (LDO) regulators to generate a plurality of output voltages from the conversion voltage
Data Source
AI summary
A power management device includes at least one switching regulator to generate a conversion voltage from an input voltage, a plurality of low drop-out regulators to generate a plurality of output voltages from the conversion voltage, and a controller to estimate drop-out voltages of the low drop-out regulators based on output currents of the low drop-out regulators and to dynamically control the conversion voltage based on the estimated drop-out voltages.