Load Line Feedback Circuit for SoC Power Supply Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional switch-mode power supplies without a load line function cannot reduce power consumption of System on Chip (SoC) effectively, as they fail to regulate output voltage in response to increasing output current, leading to increased power consumption and limited power supply efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A load line circuit is introduced, comprising sampling and feedback circuits that generate feedback voltages correlated with output voltage and current, enabling a conventional switch-mode power supply to implement the load line function by regulating output voltage based on feedback, thus reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a conventional switch-mode power supply without load line function is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the power consumption of the SoC increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a load line circuit as an intermediary component between the switch-mode power supply and the SoC. This circuit includes a first sampling circuit that generates a second voltage linearly correlated with the output voltage, a second sampling circuit that generates a regulating voltage linearly correlated with the output current, and a feedback circuit that combines these voltages to generate a feedback voltage. This feedback voltage is then fed back to the power supply to regulate the output, enabling load line functionality without requiring a complete redesign of the power supply architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the feedback circuit generates a feedback voltage based on the second voltage (from voltage sampling) and the regulating voltage (from current sampling). This feedback voltage is fed back to the switch-mode power supply to regulate the output voltage and current relationship, enabling the power supply to dynamically adjust its output characteristics according to the load conditions, thereby reducing SoC power consumption while maintaining system simplicity.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a switch-mode power supply with load line function is used, then the power consumption of the SoC is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the load line function into separate modular components: a first sampling circuit for voltage sampling, a second sampling circuit for current sampling, and a feedback circuit for combining and processing the sampled signals. This segmentation allows the load line functionality to be added as a modular add-on to conventional power supplies, reducing the complexity increase compared to integrating load line functionality directly into the power supply core architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback circuit serves multiple functions: it combines the second voltage and regulating voltage, generates the feedback voltage, and feeds it back to regulate the power supply output. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated circuits for each function, thereby minimizing the overall complexity increase while achieving the load line effect.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the output voltage is maintained constant, then the stability of the power supply is improved, but the power consumption of the SoC increases under high load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static constant voltage output mode to a dynamic output mode where the output voltage can vary linearly with the output current. The first sampling circuit dynamically tracks the output voltage, the second sampling circuit dynamically tracks the output current, and the feedback circuit dynamically combines these signals to generate a feedback voltage that reflects the instantaneous load conditions. This dynamic adjustment enables the power supply to reduce SoC power consumption under high load while maintaining controlled stability through the feedback mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
This application provides a load line circuit and an electronic device, where the load line circuit is applied to the electronic device. A voltage value of a feedback voltage provided by the load line circuit to a switch-mode power supply is linearly and positively correlated with each of a voltage value of a first voltage and a current value of a first current, where the first voltage is a voltage provided to a load circuit, and the first current is a current provided to the load circuit. Through disposition of the load line circuit, the switch-mode power supply can implement a load line function.