Linear Voltage Regulator Switching to Minimize Mode-Change Spike Currents

Solution Overview

Problem

Dual mode systems, such as secure digital card hosts and RGMII, face reliability issues due to spike currents during voltage mode switching, impacting power supply generators.

Innovation Solution

A power supply generator with a voltage regulator circuit and a power switch circuit, controlled by a selection circuit, that gradually transitions between operational modes to minimize spike currents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If voltage mode switching is performed rapidly between 3.3V and 1.8V modes, then system responsiveness is improved, but spike currents occur that impact power supply reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage mode switching speedVSAvoidpower supply generator reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The voltage regulator circuit is activated in advance before the power switch circuit during mode transitions. This preliminary action ensures that the output voltage is already regulated to the target level before the power switch circuit engages, preventing spike currents when the power switch circuit is turned on. The control circuit coordinates the timing so that the voltage regulator starts operating before the power switch transitions, thus preparing the system in advance to avoid harmful current spikes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Speed

If the power switch circuit is turned on rapidly during mode transitions, then voltage transition speed is improved, but spike currents are generated that affect circuit safety

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage transition speedVSAvoidspike currents

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The voltage regulator circuit is activated in advance before the power switch circuit during mode transitions. This preliminary action ensures that the output voltage is already regulated to the target level before the power switch circuit engages, preventing spike currents when the power switch circuit is turned on. The control circuit coordinates the timing so that the voltage regulator starts operating before the power switch transitions, thus preparing the system in advance to avoid harmful current spikes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Reduces spike currents by up to 50% during voltage mode transitions, enhancing the reliability of power supply generators.

Implementation Method 1

a voltage regulator circuit configured to pull up an output voltage to equal to half of a supply voltage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTransistor operation:

Implementation Method 2

a power switch circuit configured to pull up the output voltage from the first voltage level to a second voltage level

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTransistor switching:

Implementation Method 3

a control circuit configured to pull down gate voltages of the first transistors from the supply voltage to a voltage level between the supply voltage and a ground voltage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGate voltage control:

Data Source

PatentUS12493310B2Linear voltage regulator circuit and multiple output voltages

Publication Date: 2025.12.09 TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO LTD

AI summary

A device includes a voltage regulator circuit configured to pull up a voltage at an output terminal to equal to half of a supply voltage; multiple first transistors coupled between the output terminal and a voltage terminal providing the supply voltage; and a control circuit configured to pull down gate voltages of the first transistors from the supply voltage to a voltage level between the supply voltage and a ground voltage at a first time. The first transistors are configured to pull up the voltage at the output terminal to the supply voltage at a second time.