On-Chip Voltage Supply for Distributed Loads
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional on-chip voltage supply systems for mobile display products face challenges due to the high resistivity of Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) connections, which hinder the effectiveness of external capacitors in maintaining stable voltage during fluctuating current consumption, leading to long transient response times.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising local voltage regulators and a transconductance amplifier, connected with transistors and RC networks, which includes a reference voltage source to adjust and stabilize the voltage at the transistors, reducing the impact of ITO resistance and enabling faster response times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If external capacitors are used for voltage stabilization, then voltage stability can be improved, but the high resistance of ITO connections reduces the effectiveness of external capacitors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the voltage regulation function into multiple local voltage regulators distributed across the chip, each serving a specific region. This segmentation allows each regulator to independently stabilize voltage in its local area, overcoming the limitation of high-resistance ITO connections that prevent effective voltage stabilization when using a single external capacitor or centralized regulator.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces local voltage regulators as intermediary components between the power supply and the digital core circuits. These regulators act as mediators that actively compensate for voltage drops caused by ITO resistance, providing stable voltage locally without relying on distant external capacitors.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional distributed voltage regulator architecture is used, then voltage supply can be provided to distributed loads, but offset behavior due to different layout locations introduces long transient response time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local voltage regulators with identical circuit configurations at different chip locations, ensuring each regulator has the same electrical characteristics and response time. This local quality approach eliminates offset behavior between regulators caused by layout variations, as each regulator independently handles its local load with consistent performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The local voltage regulators are designed to be in standby mode and can quickly activate when load changes are detected. This preliminary preparation allows the regulators to respond immediately to load transients, reducing the transient response time while maintaining the ability to serve distributed loads across the chip.
3Device complexity
If a single centralized voltage regulator is used, then device complexity can be reduced, but the length of ITO connections increases resistance and reduces voltage stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized voltage regulator into multiple distributed local regulators placed throughout the chip. This segmentation reduces the length of ITO connections required for each regulator to serve its local load, thereby reducing resistance and improving voltage stability, while the modular design keeps overall device complexity manageable.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves stable and fast voltage supply for digital cores in mobile display devices, eliminating the need for external capacitors and effectively managing drastic loading conditions, with simulation results showing improved VDD stability and reduced voltage dips during current fluctuations.
Implementation Method 1
A tapping point in the RC network is connected to the second input of the transconductance amplifier
Implementation Method 2
a transconductance amplifier connected with the local voltage regulators and configured to drive the local voltage regulators
Implementation Method 3
each local voltage regulator including a first input, a second input, and an output
Data Source
AI summary
A system for providing on-chip voltage supply includes a plurality of local voltage regulators each including a first input, a second input, and an output; a transconductance amplifier connected with the local voltage regulators and configured to drive the local voltage regulators, including a first input, a second input and an output; a reference voltage source; and a plurality of transistors. The output of the transconductance amplifier is connected to the first input of each local voltage regulators. The first input of each local voltage regulator is connected to ground through a first capacitor. The output of each local voltage regulator is connected to gate of each transistor correspondingly. Source or drain of each transistor is connected to a load, to the second input of the local voltage regulator, to each other through a plurality of first resistors representing metal routing resistance, and to ground through a RC network.