Hybrid Feedback Control for Switch-Capacitor Voltage Regulator Ripple
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing switched-capacitor (SC) DC-DC converters with single-bound feedback control experience significant voltage ripple during heavy load conditions due to the inability to quickly respond to load changes, leading to inefficient power delivery.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid feedback control system is introduced, which includes a secondary proactive loop with a multiplexer, additional interleaving clock generator, and ripple reduction logic to dynamically allocate SC units between proactive and single-bound control, ensuring consistent power delivery and reducing voltage ripple by maintaining a subset of units in proactive mode at a predetermined frequency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If single-bound feedback control is used in SC converters, then the control structure is simple, but voltage ripple increases significantly during heavy load conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the SC converter into multiple independent unit cells, each capable of operating in proactive mode. This segmentation allows the system to distribute the ripple-reduction function across multiple parallel units, with each unit contributing to overall ripple suppression while maintaining individual simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements proactive control where selected unit cells begin switching at a predetermined frequency before heavy load conditions occur. This preliminary action prepares the system in advance, allowing units to be quickly activated when load increases, thereby preventing voltage ripple before it becomes significant.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If proactive control is implemented to reduce voltage ripple, then voltage ripple decreases, but device complexity increases due to additional control circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the proactive control functionality into the existing multi-unit SC converter architecture by adding a selective control circuit that can activate specific units. The control circuit combines proactive frequency selection with standard switching control, allowing ripple reduction without requiring completely separate control systems for each unit cell.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic allocation of proactive control to different unit cells based on operating conditions. The system can dynamically select which units operate in proactive mode and which remain in standard mode, allowing the control complexity to be activated only when needed rather than being permanently present in all units.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If more SC units are allocated to proactive mode, then voltage ripple reduction improves, but power delivery speed decreases due to switching overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial proactive action by activating only a subset of unit cells in proactive mode rather than all units. This selective activation provides sufficient ripple reduction through the active proactive units while leaving other units available for rapid power delivery when needed, balancing ripple suppression with response speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating frequency parameter of selected units to a predetermined higher frequency for proactive operation. This frequency parameter change enables these units to effectively suppress ripple at the cost of increased switching activity, while other units maintain lower frequency operation for efficient power delivery.
Data Source
AI summary
A device and method for hybrid feedback control of a switch-capacitor multi-unit voltage regulator are presented. A multi-unit switched-capacitor (SC) core includes a plurality of SC converter units, each unit with a capacitor and a plurality of switches controllable by a plurality of switching signals. Power switch drivers provide a switching signal to each SC converter unit. A secondary proactive loop circuit includes a feedback control circuit configured to control one or more of the plurality of switches. A comparator is configured to compare the regulator output voltage with a reference voltage and provide a comparator trigger signal. Ripple reduction logic is configured to receive the comparator trigger signal and provide an SC unit allocation signal. A multiplexer is configured to receive a first clock signal, a second clock signal, and the SC unit allocation signal and provide a signal to the power switch drivers.