Hybrid Voltage Divider Circuit for Ultra-Low Power SoC

The patent applies periodic action by using a switching circuit to intermittently connect the resistive divider to the capacitive divider. The resistive divider is activated only during refresh cycles to update the voltage at the output node, rather than continuously operating. This periodic operation dramatically reduces average current consumption while maintaining the voltage division function through the capacitive divider during non-refresh periods.

The patent introduces a capacitive divider as an intermediary element between the input voltage and the output node. The capacitive divider maintains the voltage division ratio without requiring continuous current flow through high-value resistors. The capacitor stores the divided voltage and provides it to the output, acting as a mediator that eliminates the need for continuous resistive current while preserving the voltage division function.

The patent merges resistive and capacitive voltage divider circuits into a single hybrid system. The resistive divider and capacitive divider work together, with the resistive portion used only intermittently for refreshing the capacitive portion. This combination allows the system to achieve low current consumption without requiring excessively large resistance values, as the capacitor can maintain the voltage with minimal resistive support.

By using periodic refreshing action, the patent eliminates the need for continuously operating high-value resistors. The resistive divider is activated only during brief refresh intervals to replenish the voltage on the capacitor, rather than maintaining continuous current flow. This periodic operation allows the use of smaller, more practical resistance values while still achieving ultra-low average power consumption.