Integrated Circuit Power Supply with Dual LDO Load Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices, particularly display driver integrated circuits, face challenges in managing varying current consumption due to changes in image data processing and operating modes, leading to inefficient power usage across a widened current consumption range.
Innovation Solution
An integrated circuit with a power supply circuit that generates a supply voltage using multiple power source voltages, employing low drop-output (LDO) regulators to adjust current delivery based on load requirements, ensuring stable operation across different power consumption regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single LDO regulator is used to supply current to the system load, then the circuit structure is simple, but the current consumption range cannot be effectively managed and unnecessary current consumption occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply circuit is segmented into a first LDO regulator and a second LDO regulator, each responsible for different current consumption ranges. The first LDO regulator handles normal operating conditions while the second LDO regulator handles high current consumption conditions, allowing efficient management of the widened current consumption range without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between the first and second LDO regulators based on real-time current consumption demands. The controller monitors the current consumption range and selectively activates the appropriate regulator, enabling adaptive power management that reduces unnecessary current consumption while meeting varying load requirements.
2Use of energy by moving object
If multiple LDO regulators are used to cover widened current consumption range, then current consumption management is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply circuit is divided into distinct segments (first and second LDO regulators) that operate in different current consumption ranges. This segmentation allows each regulator to be optimized for its specific operating range, improving current consumption management while keeping the overall architecture manageable through clear functional division.
Solution Approach 2:
Both LDO regulators share common functional blocks including the controller, compensation capacitors, and output stages. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve widened current consumption coverage while reducing redundant circuitry, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity despite having multiple regulators.
3Loss of energy
If the supply voltage is adjusted dynamically based on load current, then unnecessary current consumption is reduced, but the control mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The controller monitors the current consumption range and feedback signals from the LDO regulators to dynamically adjust the supply voltage. This feedback mechanism enables the system to reduce unnecessary current consumption by activating the appropriate regulator based on real-time load conditions, while the control complexity is managed through automated threshold-based switching logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply circuit automatically selects and switches between the first and second LDO regulators based on the current consumption range without requiring external intervention. This self-service capability reduces unnecessary current consumption through adaptive voltage adjustment while minimizing control complexity by eliminating the need for manual configuration or complex external control logic.
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated circuit includes: a power supply circuit configured to generate a supply voltage from at least one of first and second power source voltages; and a system load configured to operate by receiving the supply voltage through an output node of the power supply circuit, wherein the power supply circuit includes: a first low drop-output (LDO) regulator configured to generate, from the first power source voltage, a first load current flowing to the system load through the output node; and a second LDO regulator configured to selectively generate a second load current flowing to the system load through the output node, from the second power source voltage based on a difference between voltages of internal nodes of the first LDO regulator.