High-Voltage Reference Regulator Without Level Shifting Offsets
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing regulator circuits for generating high voltage side reference potentials suffer from accuracy issues due to process variations and temperature effects in open-loop configurations, and area inefficiencies and offset errors in closed-loop systems with level shifting circuits.
Innovation Solution
A regulator circuit that directly converts high voltage side differential input voltage into a differential current pair using a high voltage side differential voltage input stage, and then converts this current pair with a low voltage side gain stage to generate a high voltage side reference potential, eliminating the need for extensive level shifting circuits and minimizing area consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If an open-loop regulator circuit is used to generate high voltage side reference potential, then the circuit structure is simple, but the output voltage accuracy deteriorates due to process variations and temperature effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a closed-loop feedback mechanism where the output voltage is fed back through a voltage divider network (R1, R2) to the inverting input of the operational amplifier. This feedback loop continuously monitors the output voltage and adjusts the driving signal to the high voltage transistor Q1, compensating for process variations and temperature effects to maintain accurate reference potential output.
2Measurement precision
If a closed-loop regulator circuit with level shifting circuits is used to improve output voltage accuracy, then the measurement precision improves, but the area consumption increases and voltage offset errors are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the problematic level shifting circuits from the traditional closed-loop regulator design. By directly coupling the operational amplifier output to the high voltage transistor gate and using a simple voltage divider feedback network, the design achieves accurate voltage regulation without the area-consuming level shifting stages that introduced offset errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the regulator circuit into distinct functional blocks: the operational amplifier for error detection and signal amplification, the high voltage transistor Q1 for voltage generation, and the voltage divider network (R1, R2) for feedback. This segmentation allows each component to operate within its optimal voltage range without requiring complex level shifting interfaces.
3Measurement precision
If traditional closed-loop regulator circuits with level shifting circuits are used, then output voltage accuracy can be improved, but voltage offset errors are introduced and level accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an operational amplifier as an intermediary device that operates at low voltage and provides precise voltage comparison and error amplification. The op-amp's output directly controls the high voltage transistor gate, serving as an effective mediator between the low voltage reference/f feedback signals and the high voltage output, eliminating the need for level shifting circuits that caused offset errors.
Data Source
AI summary
A regulator circuit for generating a high voltage side reference potential comprises: a high voltage side differential input stage for generating a differential current pair according to a difference between a positive terminal input voltage and a negative terminal input voltage; a low voltage side gain stage with transresistance to convert the differential current pair into a transresistance output voltage; and an output amplification stage circuit to amplify the transresistance output to generate an output voltage. The high voltage side differential input stage and the output amplification stage circuit are powered by a high and a low voltage power rails respectively. The regulator circuit regulates the output voltage to a predetermined target voltage higher than a withstand voltage of at least one device in the low voltage side gain stage circuit, according to a difference between a feedback voltage related to the output voltage and a reference voltage.