PMIC Multi-Voltage Generation Using a Single DC-DC Inductor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Power management integrated circuits (PMICs) in mobile communication devices require multiple direct-current to direct-current (DC-DC) power inductors to generate multiple supply voltages for power amplifiers, leading to increased footprint and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The PMIC is configured to divide the voltage generation period into multiple intervals, using a voltage generation circuit and a voltage modulation circuit to generate and maintain multiple voltages based on a single DC-DC power inductor, making the voltages concurrently available.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple DC-DC power inductors are used to generate multiple supply voltages for power amplifiers, then the PMIC can provide multiple voltages simultaneously, but the footprint and complexity of the PMIC increases
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage generation period is divided into multiple non-overlapping voltage generation intervals, with each interval dedicated to generating a specific supply voltage. This time-division multiplexing allows a single DC-DC power inductor to sequentially generate multiple voltages (e.g., VCC1, VCC2, VCC3) that are then made concurrently available through voltage holding circuits, thereby reducing the footprint while maintaining the ability to support multiple power amplifiers simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic switching of the single DC-DC power inductor across different voltage generation intervals. The inductor operates in a periodic manner, alternating between generating different supply voltages at different time intervals, which enables one component to perform the function of multiple components while reducing overall circuit complexity and footprint
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple DC-DC power inductors are used to generate multiple supply voltages, then each voltage can be generated independently, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single DC-DC power inductor is designed to perform multiple functions by sequentially generating different supply voltages for different power amplifiers. The inductor serves as a universal power generation component that can output VCC1, VCC2, VCC3, or other voltages depending on the active voltage generation interval, thereby replacing what would traditionally require multiple specialized inductors and reducing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Voltage holding circuits act as intermediary elements that receive voltages sequentially from the single DC-DC power inductor during different voltage generation intervals and maintain them for concurrent use. These intermediaries bridge the time-division multiplexed voltage generation with the simultaneous voltage requirements of multiple power amplifiers, enabling complex functionality through coordinated simple components
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
This approach allows the PMIC to concurrently support multiple load circuits (e.g., power amplifiers) with significantly reduced footprint, improving efficiency and reducing the physical size of the PMIC.
Implementation Method 1
a voltage modulation circuit is configured to modulate the reference voltage in each of the voltage generation intervals based on a single direct-current to direct-current (DC-DC) power inductor
Data Source
AI summary
A power management integrated circuit (PMIC) is disclosed. The PMIC is configured to generate multiple voltages during a voltage generation period(s). In embodiments disclosed herein, the voltage generation period(s) is divided into multiple voltage generation intervals. A voltage generation circuit is configured to generate and maintain a respective one of the voltages during a respective one of the voltage generation intervals based on a reference voltage modulated for the respective one of the voltage generation intervals to thereby make the voltages concurrently available during the voltage generation period(s). Moreover, a voltage modulation circuit is configured to modulate the reference voltage in each of the voltage generation intervals based on a single direct-current to direct-current (DC-DC) power inductor. As a result, the PMIC can concurrently support multiple load circuits (e.g., power amplifiers) with significantly reduced footprint.