Modular Voltage Regulator Output Stages for Lower Quiescent Current
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing voltage regulators face challenges in efficiently managing power consumption across various operating modes of integrated circuits, leading to sub-optimal performance and increased current consumption due to the need for multiple output stages, even when only partial current capability is required.
Innovation Solution
A voltage regulator design featuring a core and a modular output stage with a switch unit and programmable compensation network, allowing for selective activation of output stage units based on operating modes, thereby controlling power consumption in a more granular manner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a unique voltage regulator cell is designed to cover all analog blocks, then versatility is improved, but current consumption and silicon area increase
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage regulator is divided into a common core and multiple modular output stage units. Each output stage unit can be independently enabled or disabled through switch units, allowing the regulator to be segmented into active and inactive portions based on current requirements, thus reducing unnecessary current consumption while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage regulator employs dynamic configuration where output stage units can be selectively enabled or disabled based on real-time current requirements. The switch units dynamically connect or disconnect output stage units from the core, allowing the regulator to adapt its current consumption to match the actual load demands of different operating modes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a unique voltage regulator cell is designed to cover all analog blocks, then versatility is improved, but silicon area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage regulator is divided into a common core and multiple modular output stage units. Each output stage unit can be independently enabled or disabled through switch units, allowing the regulator to be segmented into active and inactive portions based on current requirements, thus reducing unnecessary current consumption while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The common core is designed to be universal and can serve multiple different output stage units. This single core can support various analog blocks through different combinations of enabled output stage units, eliminating the need for separate dedicated regulator cells for each block and thereby reducing overall silicon area.
3Power
If all output stages are enabled for maximum current capability, then current delivery capability is improved, but current consumption increases in low-power modes
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage regulator employs dynamic configuration where output stage units can be selectively enabled or disabled based on real-time current requirements. The switch units dynamically connect or disconnect output stage units from the core, allowing the regulator to adapt its current consumption to match the actual load demands of different operating modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The regulator changes its operational parameters by adjusting the number of active output stage units based on the required current delivery capability. In high-power modes, more output stages are enabled to provide maximum current capability, while in low-power modes, fewer output stages are enabled to reduce current consumption, thus adapting the parameter of active output stage count to match power requirements.
4Power
If multiple output stages are used for worst-case current load, then current delivery capability is improved, but quiescent current consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage regulator is divided into a common core and multiple modular output stage units. Each output stage unit can be independently enabled or disabled through switch units, allowing the regulator to be segmented into active and inactive portions based on current requirements, thus reducing unnecessary current consumption while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The regulator changes its operational parameters by adjusting the number of active output stage units based on the required current delivery capability. In high-power modes, more output stages are enabled to provide maximum current capability, while in low-power modes, fewer output stages are enabled to reduce current consumption, thus adapting the parameter of active output stage count to match power requirements.
Data Source
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AI summary
In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, a voltage regulator is provided, comprising: a core and an output stage configured to be coupled to the core, wherein said output stage comprises a set of output stage units; a switch unit comprising a plurality of controllable switches, wherein said controllable switches are configured to couple subsets of the set of output stage units to the core. In accordance with a second aspect of the present disclosure, a corresponding method of configuring a voltage regulator is conceived.