Multi-Deck Common-Rail Circuits for Low-Power Voltage Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional single deck circuits face challenges in reducing power consumption, particularly in battery-powered IoT devices, due to inefficient voltage regulation, leakage current, and the need for large capacitors or inductors, which affects battery life and increases complexity.
Innovation Solution
A multi-deck circuit arrangement where the negative terminal of one deck is connected to the positive terminal of another, allowing for equalized supply voltage and dynamic voltage regulation, reducing leakage current and eliminating the need for level shifters, with voltage regulation achieved through parallel dump circuits and adaptive voltage scaling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If DC-to-DC converters are used to step-down battery voltage to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases and large capacitors or inductors are required
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit is divided into multiple decks with different voltage levels, where each deck operates independently at its optimal voltage. This segmentation allows direct battery voltage usage in high-voltage decks without complex conversion circuits, while low-voltage decks receive regulated power through simpler LDO regulators, thereby reducing overall circuit complexity while maintaining low power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-voltage-plane architecture to a multi-voltage-plane architecture by stacking multiple decks vertically. This dimensional change allows simultaneous operation at different voltage levels without requiring complex inter-deck voltage conversion, eliminating the need for large inductors and capacitors while reducing power consumption.
2Device complexity
If traditional single deck circuit arrangement is used, then circuit design is simple, but power consumption is high and battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit is divided into multiple decks with different voltage levels, where each deck operates independently at its optimal voltage. This segmentation allows direct battery voltage usage in high-voltage decks without complex conversion circuits, while low-voltage decks receive regulated power through simpler LDO regulators, thereby reducing overall circuit complexity while maintaining low power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-voltage-plane architecture to a multi-voltage-plane architecture by stacking multiple decks vertically. This dimensional change allows simultaneous operation at different voltage levels without requiring complex inter-deck voltage conversion, eliminating the need for large inductors and capacitors while reducing power consumption.
3Adaptability or versatility
If voltage regulator is used to provide different supply voltages to circuits, then voltage regulation is achieved, but power loss increases due to heat dissipation
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple circuits operating at different voltage levels are merged into a single multi-deck structure that shares common power distribution networks. By combining multiple voltage-regulated circuits into one integrated deck structure with shared rails, the patent eliminates redundant regulation stages and reduces overall power loss while maintaining the ability to provide different supply voltages to different circuits.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-deck circuit arrangement including a first deck circuit having a negative supply terminal and a second deck having a positive supply terminal connected to the negative supply terminal. A single power supply provides a voltage across both the first and second decks. The total power consumption will be less than the prior art of having both deck circuits conventionally regulated. The supply rail connecting the second deck's positive supply terminal to the first deck's negative supply terminal may be regulated. In one embodiment, the rail voltage can be controlled to optimize deck circuit operation for speed and power and to avoid level shifters when interfacing to other circuits.