Power Management IC Supervisory Circuit Switch

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Solution Overview

Problem

Power management integrated circuits face high power consumption due to continuous current flow through resistors during steady-state operation, which increases silicon surface area and overall power usage.

Innovation Solution

The integration of a switch within the supervisory circuit between the resistor circuit and ground allows for controlled operation, eliminating the need for a separate start-up resistor and reducing power consumption by maintaining the switch in a closed state during steady-state operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate start-up resistor is used in the reference signal generator, then reliable start-up current generation is achieved, but power consumption increases and silicon surface area increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestart-up reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the start-up resistor function with the supervisory circuit's electrical resistance circuit. The switch, when open during start-up, isolates the supervisory circuit's resistor from ground, allowing it to serve as the start-up resistor for the reference signal generator. This eliminates the need for a separate start-up resistor, reducing both power consumption and silicon surface area while maintaining reliable start-up current generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If resistors are continuously connected during steady-state operation, then supervisory circuit function is maintained, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupervisory circuit functionalityVSAvoidpower loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a dynamic switching mechanism controlled by a start-up unit. During start-up phase, the switch is open, connecting the resistor to ground for both supervisory circuit operation and start-up current generation. During steady-state operation, the switch closes, disconnecting the resistor from ground, thereby eliminating continuous power consumption through the start-up resistor path while the supervisory circuit continues to function through its normal operational path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If a separate start-up resistor is implemented, then start-up current is reliably generated, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestart-up current generationVSAvoidcircuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the supervisory circuit's electrical resistance circuit multi-functional. The same resistor serves dual purposes: it provides the reference voltage division for supervisory circuit operation during normal function, and it serves as the start-up resistor when the switch is open during start-up phase. This universal usage eliminates the need for a dedicated separate start-up resistor, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable start-up current generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 configuration significantly reduces power consumption and maintains a smaller silicon surface area while ensuring efficient start-up and steady-state operation of the power management circuit.

Implementation Method 1

a switch (17) arranged between a second end node of the electrical resistance circuit and a reference potential node, the switch being open when not powered

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

a comparator for comparing the reference signal at a first input and an intermediate electrical value at a second input

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Comparison:

Implementation Method 3

generate, during a start-up phase, a start-up current for starting-up the reference signal generator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Current Generation:

Data Source

PatentUS11003232B2Power management integrated circuit including a supervisory circuit that controls a switch arranged between a node of an electrical resistance circuit and a reference potential node

Publication Date: 2021.05.11 EM MICROELECTRONIC-MARIN

AI summary

A power management integrated circuit including a reference signal generator, a start-up unit and a supervisory circuit. The supervisory circuit includes an electrical resistance circuit connected between a first end node and a second end node; a power supply input for receiving a supply voltage, this power supply input being connected to the first end node; a low reference potential node; a comparator for comparing a reference voltage value at a first input and a divided voltage value at a second input connected to an internal electrical node of the electrical resistance circuit, the comparator can output a monitoring signal. The supervisory circuit includes a switch controlled by the start-up unit so that the switch is selectively closed and opened based on a detected operational state of the reference signal generator indicating a normal functioning phase of the power management circuit.