Integrated Voltage Regulator Digital State Machine Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Voltage regulators face instability and increased complexity due to rapid changes in load current demands, requiring large external capacitors and complex analog circuitry to maintain regulated output voltage, which increases costs and circuit size.
Innovation Solution
An integrated voltage regulator with a digital state machine that identifies power settings based on load current demands, enabling or disabling parallel driver segments to provide sufficient current, and using analog closed-loop control within each power range to maintain a stable output voltage, reducing the need for extensive closed-loop analog control and large capacitors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a voltage-controlled current source is used to maintain a fixed output voltage, then the output voltage stability is improved, but the maximum load current capability is limited by the design limitation of the current source
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage regulator is divided into multiple parallel driver segments, each capable of operating independently. By enabling or disabling specific segments based on load conditions, the regulator can scale its current delivery capability while maintaining voltage stability through the active segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The regulator dynamically adjusts which driver segments are active based on real-time load conditions. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to adapt its maximum load current capability to match actual demand, resolving the contradiction between maintaining stability and providing sufficient power headroom.
2Stability of the object's composition
If closed loop analog control is used to compensate for rapid changes in load current demand, then the output voltage regulation is improved, but the circuit complexity and capacitor size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control function is segmented between digital state machine logic that handles rapid load transitions by switching driver segments, and simplified analog feedback that maintains voltage regulation within each power range. This division reduces analog circuit complexity while preserving regulation performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex analog control circuitry with a digital state machine that uses digital logic to manage driver segment activation. This substitution simplifies the analog portion of the control system while maintaining effective response to rapid load changes.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a large bypass capacitor is used to stabilize output voltage during rapid load changes, then the transient response is improved, but the capacitor size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The digital state machine predicts upcoming load transitions and proactively activates appropriate driver segments before the load change occurs. This preliminary action prevents voltage excursions, reducing the need for large capacitors to compensate for transient responses.
Solution Approach 2:
The rapid switching of driver segments allows the system to quickly jump from one power state to another, bypassing the gradual transient response that would otherwise require large capacitors to smooth out. The digital control rushes through the transition state, minimizing voltage deviation.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are disclosed for an integrated voltage regulator with open loop digital control for power stepping. In one aspect, a method for regulating an output voltage includes receiving data indicative of a power setting associated with an identified state of an electrical circuit, the power setting based on a load current demand of the electrical circuit in the identified state, enabling one or more parallel driver segments based on the received data indicative of the power setting. The method further includes sourcing by the enabled one or more parallel driver segments sufficient current to meet the load current demand of the electrical circuit in the identified state while maintaining the output voltage at a predetermined voltage level, and providing the output voltage to the electrical circuit at the predetermined voltage level.