Configurable PMIC Rail Regulation With Shared Programmable References

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Power Management Integrated Circuits (PMICs) face challenges with consistency among different power rails and stability within a single power rail, leading to performance variations or malfunctions in System on Chip (SoC) devices.

Innovation Solution

A configurable PMIC with an array of micro-integrated voltage regulator cells and shared programmable reference circuits is employed. This PMIC groups voltage regulator cells to form multiple power supplies, each driven by a common reference circuit, ensuring consistent and reliable power delivery across power rails.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If multiple independent reference circuits are used for each voltage regulator cell, then stability within a single power rail is improved, but consistency among different power rails deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability within power railVSAvoidconsistency among power rails

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple independent reference circuits into a single shared reference circuit that serves multiple voltage regulator cells. This consolidation ensures that all power rails derive their reference voltages from the same source, thereby achieving consistency among different power rails while maintaining stability through the shared reference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shared reference circuit is designed to serve multiple voltage regulator cells simultaneously, making it a universal component that provides reference voltages to various power rails. This multi-functional approach ensures uniform voltage levels across all power rails driven by the same reference circuit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Stability of the object's composition

If each voltage regulator cell has its own dedicated reference circuit, then stability within a single power rail is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability within power railVSAvoidcomplexity of reference circuits

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple dedicated reference circuits into a single shared reference circuit that serves multiple voltage regulator cells. This reduction in the number of reference circuits simplifies the overall device complexity while maintaining the necessary stability through the shared reference source.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If different reference circuits are used for different power rails, then adaptability to different load demands is improved, but consistency among power rails deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to load demandsVSAvoiduniform voltage levels

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The shared reference circuit is designed to provide reference voltages to multiple voltage regulator cells that serve different power rails with varying load demands. While the reference source is universal, the voltage regulator cells can still be configured to meet specific load requirements, maintaining adaptability while ensuring consistency through the common reference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple independent reference circuits are used, then adaptability to different power rail requirements is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to power rail requirementsVSAvoidprecision of reference voltage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent consolidates multiple reference circuits into a single shared reference circuit, which reduces the cumulative manufacturing precision requirements. By having one reference source instead of multiple, the system avoids the compounding of tolerances and variations that would occur with multiple independent reference circuits, thereby easing manufacturing precision demands while maintaining adaptability through configurable voltage regulator cells.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20250132677A1Apparatus of configurable PMIC with array of micro integrated voltage regulation cells and shared programmable references

Publication Date: 2025.04.24 POWERLATTICE TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

This application is directed to providing rail voltages for an electronic system. The electronic system includes an array of voltage regulator cells and a plurality of reference circuits. The array of voltage regulator cells is configured to provide a plurality of voltage regulator sets, and each voltage regulator set is configured to output a respective rail voltage to a respective power rail of a plurality of power rails. The plurality of reference circuits are coupled to the array of voltage regulator cells. Each reference circuit is shared by, and configured to provide a respective reference voltage to, one or more respective voltage regulator cells of a respective voltage regulator set. The respective voltage regulator set is configured to generate the respective rail voltage based on the respective reference voltage.