Feedback Voltage Regulation Circuit for Faster Dynamic Scaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional voltage regulation methods for processor systems, particularly in dynamic voltage scaling, are time-consuming due to the need for multi-step alternating regulation to meet voltage difference constraints, leading to response delays and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A voltage regulation circuit and method that uses feedback loops to constrain the regulation of supply voltages within a specific difference range, ensuring continuity and reducing regulation time through association relationships between feedback and supply voltages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multi-step alternating voltage regulation is used to meet voltage difference constraints, then voltage regulation accuracy is improved, but voltage regulation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-regulating the second supply voltage VM to a target voltage before regulating the first supply voltage VC. This preliminary regulation of VM ensures that when VC is subsequently regulated, the voltage difference constraint between VC and VM is automatically satisfied, eliminating the need for multi-step alternating regulation and significantly reducing total regulation time while maintaining accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the voltage regulation process into two independent stages: first regulating VM to the target voltage, then regulating VC to its target voltage. This segmentation allows each voltage to be regulated independently without requiring coordinated alternating adjustments, breaking the sequential dependency that causes time delays in conventional approaches
2Speed
If voltage regulation speed is increased to reduce regulation time, then system response is improved, but voltage difference constraint compliance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By performing preliminary regulation of VM to the target voltage before regulating VC, the patent ensures that the voltage difference constraint is pre-established. This allows VC to be regulated at high speed without worrying about violating the voltage difference constraint, as the constraint is already satisfied by the pre-regulated VM
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the second supply voltage VM as an intermediary that mediates the voltage difference constraint between the power domains. By regulating VM first to serve as a reference, the constraint is effectively decoupled from the VC regulation process, allowing independent high-speed regulation of VC without constraint violations
Data Source
AI summary
A voltage regulation circuit, device, and method are disclosed, which relate to the field of electronic technologies, to reduce a voltage regulation time, and improve a system response and user experience. The voltage regulation circuit (1) includes: a first power supply circuit (11), configured to receive a voltage setting signal (SSET), and output a first supply voltage (V1) and a second reference voltage (VREF2) according to the voltage setting signal (SSET) and a difference between a first feedback voltage (VF1) and a second feedback voltage (VF2), where the first feedback voltage (VF1) is used to indicate the first supply voltage (V1), and the second feedback voltage (VF2) is used to indicate a second supply voltage (V2); and a second power supply circuit (12), configured to output the second supply voltage (V2) based on the second reference voltage (VREF2).