Integrated Voltage Clamp and Current Sink Regulator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic control units (ECUs) face challenges in protecting microcontrollers from voltage damage due to high input voltages, as they often require external zener diodes for clamping, which are costly and bulky, and existing regulators struggle to sink current effectively while limiting voltage within safe ranges.
Innovation Solution
A system and method incorporating a push/pull low-dropout regulator with an integrated internal clamp, enabling the regulator to sink current and limit voltage at the input/output port, using a cascode of low-voltage NMOS transistors and resistors to manage current and voltage, ensuring the microcontroller operates within safe voltage ranges without external clamping components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external zener diodes are used to clamp voltage, then voltage protection is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the voltage clamp function with the power regulator into a single integrated circuit. The regulator includes both a source regulator and a sink regulator that work together to provide voltage regulation and over-voltage protection without requiring external zener diodes. This integration eliminates separate protection components while maintaining reliable voltage clamping capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The power regulator is designed to perform multiple functions: normal voltage regulation during operation and over-voltage clamping during fault conditions. The sink regulator component provides both voltage regulation assistance and protective clamping function, making the device universal and eliminating the need for dedicated protection components.
2Reliability
If external zener diodes are used to clamp voltage, then voltage protection is achieved, but the solution becomes bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage clamp function is merged into the power regulator IC, eliminating the need for external zener diodes and associated mounting space. The integrated solution provides the same protection function in a compact form factor suitable for modern electronics with space constraints.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the regulator operates in all modes, then power supply flexibility is improved, but the clamp cannot protect during regulator operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching between different regulator modes based on operating conditions. The sink regulator is enabled/disabled based on whether the source regulator is actively sourcing current, allowing the system to adapt between power supply mode and protection mode. This dynamic behavior ensures both operational flexibility and continuous protection availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection mechanism operates periodically by switching between normal regulation mode and protection mode based on voltage conditions. When over-voltage conditions are detected, the sink regulator activates to clamp the voltage, then deactivates when conditions return to normal, providing periodic protection cycles.
Data Source
AI summary
Various exemplary embodiments relate a system and method for supplying power. The system may include an input/output port, a regulator, and a clamp. The regulator may supply power to the input/output port in a first mode, sink current from the input/output port in a second mode, and be disabled in a third mode. The clamp may be disabled in the first and second modes, and may limit the voltage at the input/output port below a first value in the third mode.