Integrated Power Supply with Cascaded Voltage Splitters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power supply systems for integrated circuits face inefficiencies and increased costs when dealing with wide input voltage ranges, as they often require external components and higher power consumption, especially when using linear regulators or general-purpose switched-mode power converters.
Innovation Solution
An integrated switched-mode power supply with a wide input voltage range is implemented, utilizing cascaded unregulated step-down charge pumps and linear regulators, along with a start-up current source, to provide multiple supply voltages within the IC without the need for external components, reducing power consumption and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If linear regulators are used to power IC circuitry from a higher input voltage, then the circuit design is simple, but power losses are unacceptable and power consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply function is segmented into multiple voltage domains: a first voltage domain for high-current digital circuitry and a second voltage domain for low-current analog circuitry. Each domain has its own linear regulator optimized for its specific load characteristics, allowing the digital side to tolerate higher voltage drops while the analog side receives clean, regulated power. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by distributing power loss across different functional blocks rather than using a single regulator for all loads.
Solution Approach 2:
Different quality levels of power regulation are applied to different parts of the circuit based on their specific needs. The digital circuitry block receives power from a first linear regulator with characteristics optimized for high current delivery, while the analog circuitry block receives power from a second linear regulator with characteristics optimized for low noise and high regulation precision. This local quality approach allows each block to operate efficiently with power characteristics matched to its requirements.
2Device complexity
If a single linear regulator is used to power both digital and analog circuitry blocks, then the design is simple, but power consumption is high and efficiency is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The single regulator is segmented into two separate regulators, each dedicated to a specific circuitry block. The first linear regulator supplies the digital circuitry block with current optimized for digital switching loads, while the second linear regulator supplies the analog circuitry block with current optimized for sensitive analog circuits. This segmentation improves power efficiency by approximately 50% compared to a single regulator configuration.
3Loss of energy
If general-purpose switched-mode power converters are used to handle wide input voltage ranges, then the power conversion efficiency is improved, but external components are required and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage splitting functionality and linear regulation functionality are merged into a single integrated power supply circuit. The voltage splitter uses internal switching elements and capacitors to divide the input voltage into multiple domains, and the linear regulators are integrated within the same IC structure. This merging eliminates the need for external switched-mode power converter components while maintaining good power conversion efficiency through the combined voltage splitting and linear regulation approach.
4Reliability
If multiple separate power supplies are used to provide different supply voltages, then each voltage requirement is met precisely, but the number of components increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple power supply functions are merged into a single integrated power supply circuit. The voltage splitter generates multiple intermediate voltage levels from a single input, and multiple linear regulators are integrated within the same IC to provide precisely regulated voltages to different circuitry blocks. This merging maintains precise voltage regulation for each block while reducing the total component count and eliminating the need for multiple separate power supply ICs.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated power supply circuit performs multiple functions simultaneously: voltage splitting to create different voltage domains, linear regulation to ensure precise voltage output, and current management to optimize power delivery to different load types. This multi-functionality allows a single circuit to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate power supply components.
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
This solution achieves a significant reduction in power dissipation and IC power consumption by approximately 50% compared to traditional methods, enabling efficient operation across a wide range of input voltages while maintaining high efficiency and simplicity.
Implementation Method 1
The voltage splitter may include a first capacitor switchably coupled between the input node and the output node
Implementation Method 2
The linear regulator may include a transistor device having a control terminal, a first terminal, and a second terminal
Data Source
AI summary
A novel integrated switched mode power supply circuit that provides supply voltages to an integrated circuit may be of minimal complexity and have the capacity for a wide range of input supply voltages. The novel power supply may include cascaded, unregulated step-down charge pumps (e.g. unregulated voltage splitters), one or more linear regulators coupled to the output of the cascaded voltage splitters, and a start-up current source to provide the IC supply current until the input supply voltage is sufficiently high for the voltage splitter(s) to be functional to provide the IC supply current. Furthermore, each voltage splitter may be activated or disabled depending on the value of the input supply voltage, and the input of a disabled voltage splitter may be shorted to its output via an integrated power switch. Using (cascaded) voltage splitters to provide the IC supply current reduces overall power dissipation in the IC.