Multi-Voltage Chip Startup Sequencing for Regulator Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-voltage integrated circuits face issues with higher power consumption and failure to start due to incorrect power sequencing, leading to unstable regulator circuits.
Innovation Solution
A multi-voltage chip design incorporating a regulator circuit, high-voltage domain controller, low-voltage domain controller, and digital logic circuit, where the regulator circuit is controlled by the high-voltage domain controller to stabilize the voltage conversion and the low-voltage domain controller ensures proper start signals are provided, reducing the unstable period and preventing false feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the regulator circuit is controlled by a conventional power supply design, then the circuit can operate with multiple voltage rails, but the unstable period increases and power consumption rises due to incorrect power sequencing
Solution Approach 1:
The high-voltage domain controller activates the regulator circuit before the low-voltage domain controller initializes the digital logic circuit. This preliminary action ensures that the regulated voltage is stable and ready before any low-voltage components begin operation, eliminating the unstable period caused by premature initialization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the high-voltage domain controller monitors the regulator circuit status and the low-voltage domain controller monitors the digital logic circuit readiness. This feedback ensures proper sequencing by confirming voltage stability before enabling subsequent components, preventing incorrect power sequencing.
2Reliability
If the regulator circuit operates with an extended unstable period, then more time is available for voltage stabilization, but power consumption increases and the circuit may fail to start
Solution Approach 1:
The high-voltage domain controller pre-stabilizes the regulated voltage through the regulator circuit before the low-voltage domain controller activates the digital logic circuit. This preliminary voltage stabilization ensures the circuit starts successfully without requiring extended unstable periods, thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption during startup.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prevents incorrect power sequencing by having the high-voltage domain controller prepare the regulated voltage in advance, counteracting the potential harmful effect of premature low-voltage circuit activation. This preliminary anti-action avoids the power consumption spikes and startup failures associated with incorrect sequencing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional power supply design is used, then the system can support multiple voltage rails, but the power supply design becomes complicated and control precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is segmented into two independent domain controllers: a high-voltage domain controller for the regulator circuit and a low-voltage domain controller for the digital logic circuit. Each controller independently manages its voltage domain, simplifying the overall design while maintaining multi-voltage support. This segmentation eliminates the complexity of coordinating multiple voltage rails within a single controller.
Solution Approach 2:
Each domain controller is designed to be universal within its voltage domain, handling both voltage regulation and circuit control functions. The high-voltage domain controller manages the regulator circuit, while the low-voltage domain controller manages the digital logic circuit, providing multi-functional capability that reduces overall system complexity while supporting multiple voltage rails.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides a multi-voltage chip, including a regulator circuit, a high-voltage domain controller, a low-voltage domain controller, and a digital logic circuit. The regulator circuit receives and responds to a feedback signal, a regulating start signal, and a reference voltage to convert a system high voltage into a regulated voltage. The high-voltage domain controller receives a power signal and the system high voltage to provide the reference voltage and the regulating start signal. The low-voltage domain controller is coupled to the high-voltage domain controller and receives the regulated voltage to provide a system start signal in response to the regulating start signal. The digital logic circuit is coupled to the regulator circuit to receive the regulated voltage and provide the feedback signal, and is coupled to the low-voltage domain controller to operate in response to the system start signal.