Multi-Input Power Controller for IC Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power regulation systems are inefficient in providing regulated power from multiple input sources, leading to excessive current overhead and reduced efficiency across various modes of operation, particularly in devices with integrated circuit elements and IoT applications.
Innovation Solution
The development of a power controller integrated circuit (IC) with a regulator and controller that receives multiple input voltages, providing a regulated output voltage by sequencing power provision and using power multiplexing to optimize current usage across different modes of operation, including battery charging capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single-input regulator is used to provide power from one input voltage, then the regulator can be designed for a specific mode of operation, but it has excessive current overhead and reduced efficiency when operating in other modes with different output current requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The regulator is designed to accept multiple input voltages (e.g., battery voltage, USB voltage, DC charger voltage) and automatically or manually switch between them, making it universal for different power sources and operating modes. This multi-functionality allows the system to operate efficiently across various current requirements without excessive overhead, as each input voltage can be optimized for specific operating conditions.
2Loss of energy
If a regulator is designed for a specific mode of operation with fixed output current, then it achieves optimal efficiency for that mode, but it cannot practically serve as an efficient power source across a large range of output current requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The regulator incorporates dynamic switching capability between multiple input voltages, allowing it to adapt its operating characteristics in real-time based on the selected input source and current requirements. The regulator can dynamically adjust its parameters or switch between different regulator circuits optimized for different current ranges, maintaining high efficiency across varying operating conditions rather than being fixed for a single mode.
3Loss of energy
If multiple regulators are used to cover different modes of operation, then efficiency in each mode can be optimized, but the device complexity and number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using multiple separate regulators, the invention employs a single regulator with multi-functionality that can accept multiple input voltages and adapt its operation accordingly. This universal regulator design maintains efficiency across different modes while significantly reducing device complexity by consolidating what would otherwise require multiple dedicated regulator circuits into one versatile component.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes an integrated circuit (IC). The IC includes a power controller, which includes a regulator and a controller. The regulator receives a plurality of input voltages and provides a regulated output voltage. The controller controls the regulator to generate the regulated output voltage from the plurality of input voltages. The power controller provides power to a load integrated in the IC from a set of arbitrary input voltages. The set of arbitrary input voltages includes the plurality of input voltages.