Over-Drive LDO Power-Down Control Without High-Ground Bias
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Solution Overview
Problem
Over-drive LDO regulators face challenges in maintaining a safe operating area (SOA) range during power down operations, leading to issues such as falling below voltage thresholds or experiencing unintended frequency responses, particularly when utilizing larger VDD and additional high ground (HG) middle-level voltages.
Innovation Solution
Designing an LDO circuit that operates at low current and maintains SOA range by incorporating a current source, MOSFET current mirror, and opamps to regulate output voltage without additional HG voltages, using protection circuitry and current boost modules responsive to power down signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If over-drive LDO regulators utilize larger VDD and additional high ground (HG) middle-level voltages to maintain SOA range, then the voltage regulation stability is improved, but the device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for additional high ground (HG) middle-level voltages from the system. By redesigning the LDO regulator to operate without these extra voltage levels, the invention reduces circuit complexity while maintaining voltage regulation stability through alternative circuit configurations and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the LDO regulator circuit multi-functional by enabling it to maintain safe operating area (SOA) range and provide stable voltage regulation without requiring separate HG voltage supplies. The circuit is designed to perform multiple functions (voltage regulation, SOA protection, power management) using a unified architecture that eliminates the need for additional voltage generation stages
2Reliability
If over-drive LDO regulators utilize larger VDD and additional high ground (HG) middle-level voltages to maintain SOA range, then the voltage regulation stability is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the power-consuming additional HG voltage generation and distribution infrastructure from the system. By eliminating these extra voltage supplies, the invention significantly reduces power consumption while maintaining voltage regulation stability through more efficient circuit operation and reduced quiescent current draw
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the LDO regulator by optimizing the circuit to maintain SOA range and voltage regulation stability without relying on larger VDD and HG voltages. This involves adjusting transistor sizing, biasing conditions, and control loop parameters to achieve stable regulation at lower voltage levels with reduced power consumption
3Reliability
If additional LDOs are added to provide middle-level voltage for SOA maintenance, then the voltage regulation stability is improved, but the area and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple separate LDO regulators into a single integrated LDO circuit. By combining the voltage regulation and SOA maintenance functions into one unified device, the invention eliminates the need for additional LDOs while maintaining the ability to provide stable voltage and protect against unsafe operating conditions, thereby reducing the overall circuit area
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for controlling power down of an overdrive low drop out regulator circuits. The system is designed with a low dropout regulator circuit configured to operate in a safe operating area range of operation with very low current. The circuit contains a regulator, a current boost, and a power down switch. The current boost is responsive to a power down signal, generally from a power distribution board. The circuit is fabricated such that the low dropout regulator circuit with the current boost operates with minimum current pull while maintaining safe operating area range of operation. The safe operating area range of operation is maintained during various design operations, normal operations, and power down. This regulator circuit may be designed without a middle level voltage or high-ground.