Pre-boosting Voltage Regulator for Fast Transient Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Voltage regulators in integrated circuits face limitations due to slow transient responses when dealing with rapidly changing loads, leading to spikes or fluctuations in the regulated voltage, which can affect the performance of target circuits.
Innovation Solution
A voltage regulator with a transistor and a voltage transition generator capacitively coupled to its gate, where logic circuitry induces voltage transitions synchronized with changes in current loading to adjust the gate-to-source voltage, reducing output voltage fluctuations. This includes generating stepped or other waveform shapes in response to predicted increases or decreases in current loading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a large power MOSFET is used to provide sufficient current driving capability, then the current loading capability is improved, but the gate capacitance increases which slows down the transient response
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting mode changes in the target circuit before the actual current loading change occurs, and preemptively adjusting the gate voltage of the power MOSFET. The logic circuitry monitors control signals (such as word line, bit line, or sense amplifier enable signals) that indicate upcoming mode changes, and generates voltage transition signals to pre-charge or pre-discharge the gate capacitance, thereby reducing the transient response time when the actual load change occurs.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the feedback loop time constant is increased for stability, then the voltage regulation stability is improved, but the transient response becomes slower
Solution Approach 1:
The patent bypasses the slow feedback loop by taking preliminary action through direct gate voltage control. When mode changes are detected, the logic circuitry generates voltage transition signals that directly adjust the gate voltage of the power MOSFET, eliminating the need to wait for the feedback loop to respond. This preliminary action maintains voltage regulation stability while achieving fast transient response.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the logic circuitry and voltage transition generator) that mediates between the target circuit's mode changes and the power MOSFET's gate voltage control. This intermediary detects mode changes and generates appropriate voltage transition signals, acting as a bridge that enables fast response without compromising the stability provided by the feedback loop.
3Speed
If the gate capacitance is reduced for faster response, then the transient response speed is improved, but the current loading capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the gate voltage control dynamic and adaptive rather than static. The logic circuitry generates voltage transition signals with varying magnitudes and timings based on the detected mode changes. The gate voltage is dynamically adjusted to provide sufficient current loading capability when needed while enabling fast transient response when mode changes occur, optimizing both parameters through dynamic control.
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
The solution effectively stabilizes the output voltage during fast transitions in current loading, reducing or eliminating fluctuations and enhancing the performance of integrated circuits by synchronizing voltage adjustments with expected changes in current demand.
Implementation Method 1
A voltage transition generator is capacitively coupled to the gate of the transistor
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit and a method for supplying a regulated voltage to a target circuit characterized by fast changes in current loading are described. A voltage regulator supplies the regulated voltage to an output node. The voltage regulator has a transistor having a gate, a first terminal connected to a power supply terminal, and a second terminal connected to the output node of the voltage regulator. A voltage transition generator is capacitively coupled to the gate of the transistor to increase or decrease its driving power upon occurrence of an event in the target circuit indicating a change in current loading. The change in current loading can have an expected magnitude, and the voltage transition can have a magnitude that is a function of an expected magnitude of the increase or decrease in current loading.