Multiple-Input Linear Regulator for Efficient Processor Voltage Ranges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing voltage regulators, both switching and linear, face inefficiencies and space constraints when supplying power to processors, leading to power wastage, heat dissipation, and potential processor failures due to varying voltage demands.
Innovation Solution
A multiple input linear voltage regulator using multiple pass transistors, each regulating a different input voltage, supplies a common output to processors, with a control circuit seamlessly switching between them to maintain optimal efficiency and minimize heat dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single linear voltage regulator is used to supply power to processors, then the device complexity is low, but the efficiency deteriorates due to power wastage and heat dissipation when handling varying voltage demands
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage regulator is segmented into multiple independent linear voltage regulator circuits, each handling a specific voltage range. This segmentation allows each circuit to operate more efficiently within its designated range, reducing overall power wastage and heat dissipation while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design.
2Loss of energy
If multiple linear voltage regulator circuits are used to improve efficiency, then the power efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects and activates specific voltage regulator circuits based on real-time voltage demands and processor requirements. This dynamic operation allows multiple circuits to be managed efficiently, improving power efficiency by activating only necessary circuits while maintaining controlled device complexity through intelligent resource allocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor voltage demands and automatically adjust which voltage regulator circuits are active. This feedback control optimizes power efficiency by matching regulator activity to actual processor needs while preventing excessive complexity through automated management of the multiple circuits.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the voltage regulator operates across a wide voltage range, then the adaptability improves, but the efficiency deteriorates due to increased heat dissipation
Solution Approach 1:
The wide voltage range is segmented into multiple smaller ranges, each handled by a dedicated voltage regulator circuit. This segmentation maintains high adaptability across the full voltage spectrum while improving efficiency by ensuring each circuit operates within its optimal range, thereby reducing heat dissipation compared to a single circuit handling the entire range.
4Area of stationary object
If a single voltage regulator circuit is used, then the device size is small, but the efficiency deteriorates when processor voltage demands vary
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically activates only the voltage regulator circuits needed for current processor demands. This dynamic approach allows multiple circuits to be integrated in a compact manner, maintaining small overall device size while improving efficiency by ensuring active circuits operate within optimal parameters rather than forcing a single circuit to handle all variations.
Data Source
AI summary
A multiple input linear voltage regulator includes an output port configured to supply an output voltage to one or more processor components; a first regulating transistor operable to receive a first input voltage from a first supply and provide a first regulated voltage range to the output port; a second regulating transistor operable to receive a second input voltage from a second supply and provide a second regulated voltage range to the output port, wherein the first input voltage is different from the second input voltage; and a control circuit operable to selectively drive the first regulating transistor and the second regulating transistor based on at least a target output voltage.