On-Chip Voltage Regulator Extended Range via Parallel Pass Transistors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional on-chip voltage regulators are limited in the range of regulated voltages they can supply due to constraints from external unregulated voltages and pass transistor drain source voltage requirements, leading to instability and noise interference.
Innovation Solution
A voltage regulator design that uses multiple passing elements coupled with an error amplifier and enabling switches to selectively draw current from multiple unregulated voltage sources, allowing for an extended range of regulated voltage outputs by operating in single or parallel passing modes, with control logic managing the switches to optimize power consumption and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single pass transistor is used in the voltage regulator, then the circuit complexity is low, but the range of regulated voltages is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage regulator is segmented into multiple parallel pass transistor branches, where each branch contains a pass transistor with different threshold voltage characteristics. This segmentation allows each branch to handle specific voltage ranges, collectively extending the overall regulated voltage range while maintaining manageable circuit complexity through modular architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple pass transistor branches are designed to serve universal voltage regulation functions across different voltage ranges. Each branch can be selectively activated based on the desired output voltage, making the regulator capable of providing multiple regulated voltage levels from a single unregulated input, thus achieving multi-functionality without proportionally increasing complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If the regulated voltage is kept lower than the unregulated voltage for proper regulation, then the regulation function is maintained, but the output voltage range is constrained
Solution Approach 1:
Different pass transistor branches are designed with local quality variations, specifically different threshold voltages and channel characteristics, to optimize performance for specific voltage ranges. This allows each branch to maintain proper regulation stability in its designated range while collectively covering a broader overall voltage range
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage regulator dynamically selects which pass transistor branch to activate based on the desired output voltage level. This dynamic switching between branches allows the system to adapt to different voltage requirements while maintaining regulation stability, as each branch is optimized for its specific operating range
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pass transistors are used to extend voltage range, then the voltage range is extended, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control logic periodically evaluates the desired output voltage and selectively activates only the necessary pass transistor branch(es) to meet the current demand. This periodic selection and activation strategy ensures that multiple pass transistors are available for extended voltage range, but only the required ones are powered and active at any given time, minimizing overall power consumption
Data Source
AI summary
A voltage regulator operable to selectively supply an extended range of regulated voltages by using multiple levels of unregulated voltages and a single amplifier. The voltage regulator is coupled to a plurality of passing elements in parallel via enabling switches. Each passing element is configured to receive a respective level of unregulated voltage and, when enabled, can pass current to the voltage regulator and thereby induce a corresponding level of regulated voltage at the output terminal of the voltage regulator. To output a specific regulated voltage, the voltage regulator can operate in a single passing mode in which only the passing element receiving the corresponding unregulated voltage is enabled to pass current. Alternatively, in a parallel passing mode, two or more passing elements receiving different levels of unregulated voltages can be enabled to pass current.