Integrated Switching Voltage Regulator on Semiconductor Chip

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current power regulator designs for PCBs are large, costly, and inefficient due to the need for multiple voltage regulators and complex wiring, leading to increased energy consumption and longer signal response times, especially when dealing with multiple electrical devices requiring different voltage ranges.

Innovation Solution

A semiconductor chip with an integrated switching voltage regulator or converter, which includes active devices like MOS devices and passive components like resistors, capacitors, and inductors, allowing for immediate voltage adaptation and reduced circuit complexity by integrating these components within the chip.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple voltage regulators or converters are used to modify voltage for different electrical devices, then voltage adaptation capability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage adaptation capabilityVSAvoidcircuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple voltage regulator functions into a single integrated circuit that can provide multiple different output voltages simultaneously. The IC includes multiple switching elements, diodes, and control circuits that work together to regulate different voltage levels for multiple electrical devices, eliminating the need for separate voltage regulator components for each device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The voltage regulator IC is designed with multi-functionality to handle various voltage regulation tasks. It incorporates multiple switching elements (such as MOS transistors), diodes, and control circuits that can operate in different configurations to provide multiple output voltages, making a single component capable of replacing multiple specialized regulators.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple voltage regulators are used to serve different electrical devices, then voltage regulation capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage regulation capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple voltage regulator functions into a single integrated circuit that can provide multiple different output voltages simultaneously. The IC includes multiple switching elements, diodes, and control circuits that work together to regulate different voltage levels for multiple electrical devices, eliminating the need for separate voltage regulator components for each device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If voltage regulators and parasitic elements are constructed on PCB, then voltage regulation function is achieved, but signal response speed decreases due to long signal paths

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage regulation functionVSAvoidsignal response speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple voltage regulator functions into a single integrated circuit that can provide multiple different output voltages simultaneously. The IC includes multiple switching elements, diodes, and control circuits that work together to regulate different voltage levels for multiple electrical devices, eliminating the need for separate voltage regulator components for each device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple voltage regulators are used to account for different electrical devices, then voltage adaptation is improved, but energy efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage adaptationVSAvoidenergy efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple voltage regulator functions into a single integrated circuit that can provide multiple different output voltages simultaneously. The IC includes multiple switching elements, diodes, and control circuits that work together to regulate different voltage levels for multiple electrical devices, eliminating the need for separate voltage regulator components for each device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8749021B2Voltage regulator integrated with semiconductor chip
Publication Date: 2014.06.10 QUALCOMM INC
  • US8749021B2 patent drawing
  • US8749021B2 patent drawing
  • US8749021B2 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention reveals a semiconductor chip structure and its application circuit network, wherein the switching voltage regulator or converter is integrated with a semiconductor chip by chip fabrication methods, so that the semiconductor chip has the ability to regulate voltage within a specific voltage range. Therefore, when many electrical devices of different working voltages are placed on a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), only a certain number of semiconductor chips need to be constructed. Originally, in order to account for the different demands in voltage, power supply units of different output voltages, or a variety of voltage regulators need to be added. However, using the built-in voltage regulator or converter, the voltage range can be immediately adjusted to that which is needed. This improvement allows for easier control of electrical devices of different working voltages and decreases response time of electrical devices.