Low-Dropout Regulator Injection Control for Load-Transition Overshoot
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional low-dropout (LDO) regulator circuits face issues with output voltage overshoot during loading transitions, which can cause damage to connected loads due to the use of pre-defined delays in injection circuits.
Innovation Solution
An LDO regulator circuit with a dynamically monitoring LDO control circuit that selectively inactivates the injection current by comparing the output voltage to a reference voltage, avoiding unnecessary injection current and thus preventing overshoot.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If pre-defined delays are used in injection circuits during loading transitions, then the injection circuit can provide timed current injection, but output voltage overshoot occurs which can damage connected loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the output voltage is continuously monitored and fed back to the control circuit. The control circuit compares the actual output voltage with the reference voltage and dynamically adjusts the injection current accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system eliminates the need for pre-defined delays and prevents output voltage overshoot by providing real-time correction, thereby resolving the technical contradiction between fast loading transition response and overshoot prevention.
2Reliability
If dynamic monitoring is implemented to prevent overshoot, then output voltage stability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional control circuitry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the injection circuit control functionality with the existing LDO regulator control structure. The control circuit integrates multiple functions including output voltage monitoring, comparison with reference voltage, and injection current regulation into a unified design. By combining these functions rather than implementing them as separate independent circuits, the patent achieves dynamic overshoot prevention while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A voltage regulation circuit includes a voltage regulator that is configured to provide a stable output voltage based on an input voltage; and a control circuit, coupled to the voltage regulator, and configured to provide an injection current to maintain the stable output voltage in response to an enable signal provided at an input of the control circuit transitioning to a predetermined state and cease providing the injection current when the control circuit detects that a voltage level of the output voltage is higher than a pre-defined voltage level.