Predictive Precharge Rails for Fast Voltage Regulator Transitions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing voltage regulators face transient delays when adjusting output voltages, which can lead to insufficient adjustments for the next transmission period in power amplifiers used in wireless communication networks, impacting power efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A voltage regulation circuit utilizing precharge rails, where a precharge switching regulator charges a capacitor to a voltage level based on the difference between current and next target output voltages, and a precharge switch circuit selectively couples this capacitor to the main switching regulator's output during transitions, enabling quicker voltage adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a main switching regulator is used to adjust output voltage to discrete levels, then power efficiency is improved, but transient delay occurs during voltage transitions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower efficiencyVSAvoidtransient delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The precharge switching regulator charges a capacitor to a precharge voltage level (based on the difference between current and next target voltages) in advance before the main switching regulator needs to make the voltage transition. This preliminary charging action reduces the transient delay when the main regulator needs to switch to the next voltage level.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A precharge capacitor is introduced as an intermediary energy storage element between the precharge switching regulator and the main switching regulator output. This capacitor acts as a buffer that can quickly supply or absorb charge during voltage transitions, reducing the transient response time of the main regulator.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If voltage adjustment time is reduced for next transmission period, then productivity is improved, but voltage regulation precision may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage adjustment speedVSAvoidvoltage regulation precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The precharge capacitor is charged to a specific precharge voltage level calculated as the difference between the current target voltage and the next target voltage. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the capacitor is coupled to the main regulator output, the voltage transition is both fast and accurate, maintaining precision while improving speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the precharge voltage level based on the required voltage transition. By changing the precharge voltage parameter according to the specific transition needed, the system optimizes both the speed and precision of voltage regulation for each particular case.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution reduces transient delays in voltage adjustments, improving power efficiency and ensuring timely changes in output voltages for power amplifiers, particularly in demanding applications like 5G millimeter wave communications.

Implementation Method 1

charging a capacitor coupled to an output of a precharge switching regulator to a precharge voltage level

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

selectively coupling the output of the precharge switching regulator with an output of the main switching regulator based upon a transition from the current target output voltage to the next target voltage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS12107497B2Methods and apparatuses for voltage regulation using predictively charged precharge rails

Publication Date: 2024.10.01 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

A voltage regulator circuit using predictively precharged voltage rails is generally disclosed. For example, the voltage regulator circuit may include a main switching regulator configured to provide a target voltage, the main switching regulator having a first voltage node, a precharge switching regulator configured to provide a precharge voltage, the precharge switching regulator having a second voltage node, the precharge voltage based on a difference between the target voltage and a next target voltage to be provided by the main switching regulator, and a precharge switch circuit configured to selectively couple the second voltage node to an output voltage node based upon a transition from the target voltage to the next target voltage.