Hybrid LDO and Charge Pump Circuit for Wide Input Voltage Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power supply circuits struggle to accommodate a wide range of input voltages, limiting their versatility and application in various platforms.
Innovation Solution
A power supply circuit design that incorporates a linear regulator and a Dixon-type charge pump circuit, allowing the circuit to adjust output voltage across a wide input voltage range by switching between enable and disable states based on threshold voltages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a power supply circuit uses a fixed configuration (either linear regulator or charge pump), then it can be simple in structure, but it cannot accommodate a wide range of input voltages
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply circuit is designed to perform multiple functions by integrating both linear regulator and charge pump capabilities in a single circuit. The circuit can operate in different modes (LDO mode and charge pump mode) depending on the input voltage level, allowing it to adapt to a wide range of input voltages while maintaining a unified circuit structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply circuit dynamically switches between different operating modes based on the input voltage level. When the input voltage is high, it operates as a linear regulator; when the input voltage drops below a threshold, it switches to charge pump mode. This dynamic adaptation allows the circuit to maintain optimal performance across varying input conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a power supply circuit switches between different operating modes, then it can adapt to varying input voltages, but it may cause output voltage discontinuity
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit employs feedback mechanisms to monitor the output voltage and adjust the switching between modes accordingly. The switching decision is based on comparing the output voltage with a predetermined threshold, ensuring that the transition between LDO mode and charge pump mode occurs at the optimal point to maintain output voltage continuity and stability.
3Reliability
If a power supply circuit uses only a linear regulator, then it can maintain stable output voltage, but it cannot efficiently handle input voltages lower than the target output voltage
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply circuit is segmented into two functional parts: a linear regulator for stable voltage regulation when input voltage is sufficient, and a charge pump circuit for voltage boosting when input voltage is low. This segmentation allows each part to specialize in its optimal operating condition while working together to cover a wide input voltage range.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables continuous transition of output voltage across a predetermined range, maintaining stability and efficiency even as input voltage varies, thus enhancing the circuit's adaptability to different application environments.
Implementation Method 1
a flying capacitor, a driver circuit structured to apply a switching voltage switching between a high voltage corresponding to the input voltage and a low voltage being a ground voltage to one end of the flying capacitor
Implementation Method 2
a first rectifier element connected between another end of the flying capacitor and a drain of the first transistor, a second rectifier element connected between the another end of the flying capacitor and the output terminal
Data Source
AI summary
A linear regulator adjusts an intermediate voltage VREGOUT at an output node such that an output voltage VOUT at an output terminal approaches a first target voltage VOUT(REF1). A Dixon-type charge pump circuit enters a disable state when the output voltage VOUT is higher than a threshold voltage VTH(CP) determined to be lower than the first target voltage VOUT(REF1), outputs the intermediate voltage VREGOUT at a first input node to the output node in the disable state, enters an enable state when the output voltage VOUT is lower than the threshold voltage VTH(CP), and stabilizes the output voltage VOUT at the output terminal to a second target voltage VOUT(REF2) determined to be lower than the first target voltage VOUT(REF1) in the enable state.