Fast-Transient Buffer Topology for Overshoot and Undershoot Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fast-transient buffers for low-power and low-voltage circuit designs struggle to efficiently regulate both overshoot and undershoot of output voltages, limiting their effectiveness in semiconductor technology.

Innovation Solution

A fast-transient buffer design incorporating a flipped voltage follower coupled with a MOS transistor, which regulates the output voltage in the opposite direction of the flipped voltage follower, effectively addressing both overshoot and undershoot issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a conventional voltage follower is used for output voltage regulation, then the circuit structure is simple, but it can only regulate in one direction and cannot effectively address both overshoot and undershoot

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage regulation capabilityVSAvoidcircuit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The buffer circuit is segmented into two independent regulation paths: a flipped voltage follower for one direction and a MOS transistor for the opposite direction. Each component handles specific voltage transient conditions, allowing the system to address both overshoot and undershoot effectively while maintaining clear functional separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a flipped voltage follower configuration that inverts the conventional voltage follower topology. This inversion enables the circuit to regulate voltage in the opposite direction, allowing simultaneous coverage of both voltage overshoot and undershoot conditions that a conventional single-direction regulator cannot handle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Use of energy by moving object

If low-power operation is implemented, then energy consumption is reduced, but transient response speed may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidtransient response speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The circuit employs dynamic regulation where the flipped voltage follower and MOS transistor actively adjust their operation based on real-time voltage conditions. This dynamic approach allows the low-power buffer to maintain fast transient response by engaging appropriate regulation mechanisms only when needed, rather than operating continuously at high power.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes operational parameters by using different regulation mechanisms for different voltage conditions. The flipped voltage follower handles certain voltage ranges while the MOS transistor handles opposite-direction transients, allowing the circuit to optimize power consumption while maintaining fast response across all operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12224739B2Fast-transient buffer

Publication Date: 2025.02.11 MEDIATEK INC

AI summary

A fast-transient buffer is shown. The fast-transient buffer has a flipped voltage follower coupled between the input terminal and the output terminal of the fast-transient buffer, and a first MOS transistor coupled to the flipped voltage follower as well as the output terminal of the fast-transient buffer. The first MOS transistor regulates the output voltage of the output terminal of the fast-transient buffer, in the opposite direction in comparison with an output voltage regulation direction due to the flipped voltage follower.