LDO Drive Strength Switching for Low Average Current
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power regulators face challenges in balancing ultra-low average current consumption with high peak current demands, particularly in battery-powered systems requiring extended operation without external capacitors, while ensuring efficient power state transitions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a clock gating control mechanism to dynamically change the bias current and bandwidth of a low dropout voltage regulator (LDO) using hardware logic, allowing rapid transitions between low-power and high-power states based on control signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the regulator is designed for high peak current output, then the peak current capability is improved, but the average current consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The regulator dynamically switches between two operational states (high-power and low-power) based on real-time power demands. The control circuit monitors the power state and adjusts the regulator's output accordingly, allowing the system to have high peak current capability when needed while maintaining ultra-low average current consumption during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The regulator changes its operational parameters by switching between different power states. When transitioning from low-power to high-power state, the control circuit adjusts the bias current and bandwidth parameters to meet the increased demand. This parameter switching allows the regulator to adapt to varying load requirements without continuously consuming high current.
2Stability of the object's composition
If external capacitors are added to stabilize power output, then the power stability is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The regulator circuit is designed to be self-sufficient by eliminating the need for external capacitors. The control circuit internally manages power stabilization through its switching mechanism, using the regulator's own operational states to maintain stable power output without requiring additional external components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the external capacitor component from the traditional regulator circuit design. By extracting this external component and incorporating the stabilization function directly into the regulator's control logic and switching mechanism, the design achieves power stability without the added complexity and space requirements of external capacitors.
3Speed
If the regulator transitions quickly between power states, then the response time is improved, but the power consumption during transitions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The regulator uses a direct switching mechanism that rapidly transitions between power states without prolonged intermediate states. The control circuit enables quick state changes by directly controlling the switching elements, allowing the system to rush through transition periods minimally and spend most time in the ultra-low power state, thereby reducing overall energy loss during transitions.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a battery powered domain, which may be powered by a voltage regulator, such as a low dropout (LDO) regulator. The components of the system may, as a default, maintain a lower-power state to preserve battery charge but may periodically go to a higher-power state to facilitate memory reads and writes and interrupts. The system may include hardware to change a power state of the regulator based on control signals that are also used for clock gating, thereby achieving quick transitions between the power states.