PMIC Step-Wise Voltage Control to Reduce Capacitor Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
The variation in driving voltage for power amplifiers in mobile terminals due to changes in wireless signal strength causes physical shaking of capacitors, leading to noise that can degrade call quality.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a PMIC and a processor that identifies changes in output voltage and adjusts it in a step-wise manner based on a ratio of time intervals, reducing noise caused by capacitor shaking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the output voltage of the PMIC is changed dynamically based on APT and/or ET to supply appropriate driving voltage to the PA, then the power efficiency and communication quality are improved, but the capacitor experiences repeated charging and discharging causing physical shaking and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage adjustment process is segmented into multiple discrete steps rather than continuous change. The PMIC divides the voltage transition from V1 to V2 into intermediate levels (V11, V12, V13, V21, V22, V23), allowing the capacitor to charge/discharge in controlled stages. This segmentation reduces the intensity of each individual charging/discharging event, thereby minimizing physical shaking and noise while still achieving the required power efficiency improvements through dynamic voltage adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic voltage adjustment cycles with controlled timing. The processor monitors voltage changes over time intervals (T1, T2, T3) and adjusts the PMIC output voltage in periodic steps based on measured noise levels and power efficiency requirements. This periodic action allows the system to balance between dynamic voltage adjustment for power efficiency and controlled transitions to minimize noise, creating a rhythmic pattern of voltage changes that reduces harmful capacitor shaking.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the output voltage of the PMIC is changed dynamically to adapt to channel state and communication quality, then the communication performance is improved, but audible noise is generated in the capacitor that degrades call quality
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage adjustment is segmented into multiple discrete steps with intermediate voltage levels. Instead of transitioning directly between voltage states, the PMIC passes through intermediate levels (V11, V12, V13, V21, V22, V23), which segments the energy change into smaller portions. This reduces the mechanical shock to the capacitor during each transition, minimizing audible noise while maintaining the adaptability needed for optimal communication performance across varying channel conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control where the processor continuously monitors both the voltage output of the PMIC and the resulting noise levels. Based on this feedback, the processor dynamically adjusts the voltage adjustment strategy - slowing down transitions when noise is detected and optimizing voltage levels for communication quality. This feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain adaptability for communication performance while actively suppressing audible noise through intelligent control.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the voltage adjustment is performed continuously to maintain optimal power supply, then the power efficiency is maximized, but the capacitor shaking and noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
Continuous voltage adjustment is replaced with segmented, discrete voltage steps. The PMIC divides the voltage range into multiple discrete levels and transitions between them in controlled steps rather than continuously. This segmentation maintains power efficiency by still performing dynamic voltage adjustment according to power requirements, while simultaneously stabilizing the capacitor by reducing the frequency and intensity of charging/discharging events, thereby minimizing physical shaking and maintaining capacitor stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic voltage adjustment with controlled transition rates. The processor monitors power efficiency requirements and adjusts the voltage dynamically, but controls the rate of change to prevent excessive capacitor stress. The voltage adjustment is dynamic in response to power needs but constrained in its tempo to maintain capacitor stability, creating a balanced approach that achieves both power efficiency and component reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device may include a wireless communication circuit, a battery, a power management integrated circuit (PMIC) electrically connected to the wireless communication circuit and the battery and including a regulator, and a processor electrically connected to the wireless communication circuit, the battery, and the PMIC. The processor may, responsive to the electronic device satisfying a specified condition, identify a change in a magnitude of a voltage of an output terminal of the regulator for a first time interval, identify a ratio of a time interval during which the change in the magnitude of the voltage of the output terminal satisfies a threshold value with respect to the first time interval, and adjust the magnitude of the voltage of the output terminal in a step-wise manner based on the ratio.