LDO Voltage Regulator Layout Reusing Quiescent Current
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Solution Overview
Problem
Voltage regulators, particularly low dropout (LDO) regulators, consume significant power due to quiescent current, which increases overall power consumption even at low load currents.
Innovation Solution
A voltage regulator design where the quiescent current through the regulator circuit is reused as load current by incorporating an active load that takes up the unused quiescent current when the load current is smaller, allowing the regulator circuit components to operate between the input and output nodes, thereby reducing overall current consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If voltage regulator components are arranged between input and output nodes, then power efficiency is improved by reusing quiescent current, but device complexity increases due to additional active load components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the quiescent current path with the load current path by arranging regulator components between input and output nodes. The active load component combines the functions of providing load current and consuming quiescent current, so that the quiescent current of the regulator circuit is reused as load current, improving power efficiency while integrating multiple functions into a unified structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The active load component serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides load current to the output, consumes the quiescent current generated by the regulator circuit, and enables the regulator to operate with improved efficiency across a wider range of load conditions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components.
2Loss of energy
If quiescent current is reused as load current, then power consumption is reduced, but adaptability decreases when load current requirements exceed quiescent current
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic operation where the active load component adjusts its behavior based on load conditions. When load current is small, the active load consumes quiescent current to improve efficiency. When load current increases beyond the quiescent current available, the regulator naturally transitions to providing the additional current through the pass device, allowing the system to adapt dynamically to varying load requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The active load component acts as an intermediary that facilitates the reuse of quiescent current under light load conditions while not preventing the regulator from meeting higher load demands. It mediates between the quiescent current generation and load current requirements, enabling efficient operation across a broader range of conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A voltage regulator and a method are presented. The regulator has a pass device coupled to an input node at an input voltage. Furthermore, the voltage regulator has a regulator circuit to control the pass device to provide a regulated output voltage at an output node based on the input voltage. Components of the regulator circuit are arranged and operated between the input node and the output node. The voltage regulator allows a load of the voltage regulator to be arranged between the output node and a reference node at a reference voltage, wherein the reference voltage differs from the output voltage.