Low-Impedance Reference Voltage Generator with Dual Control Loops

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional low-impedance reference voltage generators consume high power, making them unsuitable for modern computers and analog circuits that require low power consumption and size.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a low-impedance reference voltage generator that utilizes a high trans-conductance to current ratio and combines a voltage-control loop with a current-sense and current-control loop, featuring common-source or common-emitter transistors to achieve low output impedance and wide output voltage range, while minimizing quiescent current and power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional low-impedance reference voltage generators are used, then low output impedance is achieved, but power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoutput impedanceVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The reference voltage generator is divided into two independent control loops: a voltage control loop that regulates output voltage and a current control loop that regulates quiescent current. This segmentation allows each loop to optimize its specific function without compromising the other, achieving low output impedance while maintaining low power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the operating parameters of the output transistors by using a high trans-conductance to current ratio (gm:Id). This parameter change enables the transistors to provide low output impedance while consuming less quiescent current, directly resolving the contradiction between impedance and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If quiescent current is reduced to lower power consumption, then energy efficiency improves, but output impedance may increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidoutput impedance

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The current control loop continuously monitors the quiescent current through the output transistors and adjusts the bias accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that the quiescent current is maintained at an optimal level that provides both low power consumption and low output impedance, preventing degradation of either parameter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Use of energy by moving object

If a current control loop is added to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcircuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The current control loop uses the existing output transistors and their trans-conductance characteristics to achieve dual functionality: voltage regulation through the voltage control loop and current regulation through the current control loop. This multi-functionality approach allows the same hardware components to serve multiple purposes, minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10637414B2Low-impedance reference voltage generator

Publication Date: 2020.04.28 INTEL CORP

AI summary

Described herein is an apparatus and system of a low-impedance reference voltage generator. The apparatus comprises: a voltage-control loop including a first transistor to provide an output voltage; and a current-control loop to sense current through the first transistor, relative to a reference current. The node having the output voltage is a low-impedance node.