High Speed Voltage Regulator with Integrated Lossless Current Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current current sensing methods in mobile computer platforms are inefficient due to the use of discrete components that consume area and power, and integrated sense transistors in voltage regulators limit switching speed, necessitating accurate and efficient current sensing solutions to manage thermal and battery constraints.
Innovation Solution
A high-speed current sensing multi-phase voltage regulator with integrated sense transistors and digital correction functions that directly provide accurate rail current information, eliminating the need for on-board current sensing and post-processing, and allowing for high-speed switching operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If discrete components are used for current sensing, then current sensing accuracy is improved, but area consumption and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the current sensing function with the existing switching transistors in the voltage regulator by using them as sense transistors. This integration eliminates the need for separate discrete sensing components, thereby reducing area consumption while maintaining sensing accuracy through the inherent properties of the integrated transistors.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching transistors in the voltage regulator are designed to serve dual purposes: both switching operations and current sensing. By making the sense transistors universal components that perform both functions, the patent eliminates dedicated sensing components and reduces overall area consumption while maintaining accurate current measurement capability.
2Area of stationary object
If integrated sense transistors are used within the switching portion, then area consumption is reduced, but switching speed is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the transistor gate control into two independent parts: the main switching gate and the sense gate. This segmentation allows the sense transistor to operate independently from the main switching operation, enabling high-speed switching in the main path while the sense transistor maintains accurate current sensing capability without being constrained by switching speed requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of the sense transistor gate, allowing its operating state to be independently adjusted based on sensing requirements rather than being tied to the switching cycle. This dynamic operation enables the sense transistor to maintain optimal sensing performance across varying switching conditions without limiting the switching speed.
3Measurement precision
If external controllers process sensed information, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage regulator performs self-sensing by using its own internal transistors and control logic to measure and process current information. The regulator's existing control circuitry is utilized to extract current data from the sense transistor operations, eliminating the need for external sensing controllers and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining accurate current measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the current sensing function with the voltage regulator's existing control and management circuitry. By integrating sensing, measurement, and processing functions within the regulator itself, the system eliminates separate external processing components, reducing device complexity while maintaining accurate current information through the regulator's inherent control capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
In general, in one aspect, the disclosure describes a high-speed multi-phase voltage regulator (VR) capable of sensing load current. For each phase leg, the VR includes a current mirror to mirror current in switching elements, a current sense to sense high side current in the current mirror, and a I-V converter to convert the sensed high side current to a voltage. The high side sensed current for each phase leg is averaged and the duty cycle for the VR is extracted. The average high side sensed current and the duty cycle are converted to digital by an A-D converter. Digital circuitry corrects the sensed current by adjusting for the gain and offset voltage of the VR. The adjusted sensed value is divided by the duty cycle to convert to load current and the average load current is multiplied by the number of phases operating to determine overall load current.