LDO Regulator Dynamic Voltage Scaling Power Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing low-dropout (LDO) regulators face challenges in maintaining operation and per-core retention during dynamic voltage scaling (DVS) due to voltage fluctuations, especially when fixed power is not provided, leading to inefficiencies and unstable operations.
Innovation Solution
A system-on-chip with a low-dropout regulator that receives and compares first and second powers with different voltage characteristics, using the higher voltage as bias power for an error amplifier and input power for a pass transistor, ensuring stable operation and per-core retention even in DVS environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single power line is used for LDO regulator, then routing complexity is reduced, but voltage stability deteriorates during DVS operations
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply is segmented into two separate power lines: a first power line providing a first power and a second power line providing a second power. This segmentation allows each power line to be optimized for specific voltage ranges, ensuring stable operation during DVS while maintaining manageable routing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The LDO regulator dynamically selects between the first power and the second power based on the core's operating voltage requirements. The regulator determines which power to use by comparing voltage characteristics, enabling adaptive power selection that maintains voltage stability across different DVS states without requiring complex fixed routing.
2Use of energy by moving object
If fixed power is not provided during DVS, then power efficiency is improved, but LDO operation reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the voltage parameter of the supplied power dynamically by selecting between a first power with a first voltage characteristic and a second power with a second voltage characteristic. This parameter change ensures that the LDO regulator receives appropriate voltage levels for reliable operation across different DVS states, preventing operation failure while maintaining power efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The LDO regulator acts as an intermediary that conditions the selected power (first or second power) before supplying it to the core. By using the regulator to buffer and stabilize the power transition, the system achieves both power efficiency during DVS and reliable LDO operation without requiring fixed power provisioning.
3Adaptability or versatility
If per-core retention is implemented, then dynamic voltage scaling capability is improved, but power supply complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The LDO regulator is designed with multi-functionality to handle both first power and second power inputs, determining appropriately which power to use based on voltage characteristics. This universal design enables per-core retention and DVS capability without requiring separate dedicated power supply circuits for each voltage range, thereby avoiding excessive power supply complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system-on-chip includes a low-dropout (LDO) regulator configured to regulate a voltage of input power and to supply operation power to a core through an output mode, the core configured to receive the operation power to perform an operation, and a power supply circuit configured to supply the input power to the LDO regulator. The power supply circuit may receive first power and second power having different voltage characteristics, and may supply third power, which is power having a higher voltage of the first power and the second power, and the second power to the LDO regulator as the input power.