PVT-Stable Voltage Regulator with Auto-Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Low-dropout voltage regulators in integrated circuits face significant PVT sensitivity and poor voltage regulation due to FET-based reference circuits varying widely with process, voltage, and temperature changes, and digital calibration engines consume power and complicate initialization, often failing to calibrate at extremes.
Innovation Solution
A voltage regulation module with an auto-calibration module that adjusts output voltage using a calibration current signal, based on a FET-based reference voltage, to stabilize output voltage across PVT variations without digital calibration engines, using a resistor pair and auto-calibration circuit to dynamically lock output voltage to a target voltage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If digital calibration engines are used to tune regulators, then voltage regulation accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the digital calibration engine from the voltage regulator system. Instead of using complex digital calibration circuits, the invention employs a simplified analog calibration approach using current mirrors and resistor networks, thereby removing the power-consuming digital calibration component while maintaining voltage regulation accuracy through analog feedback mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses current mirror circuits to create copies of reference currents and distribute them throughout the regulator circuitry. These current copies enable accurate voltage regulation without requiring digital calibration, as the mirrored currents automatically track and compensate for PVT variations across different circuit nodes.
2Measurement precision
If digital calibration engines are used to tune regulators, then voltage regulation accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the digital calibration engine and associated complex control logic from the regulator design. The solution replaces digital calibration with a purely analog implementation using operational amplifiers, current mirrors, and resistor networks, significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining regulation accuracy through continuous analog feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical/digital calibration system with an analog electrical system. Instead of using digital processors and software-based calibration algorithms, the invention employs analog circuits that automatically adjust voltage regulation in real-time, eliminating the need for complex digital control mechanisms.
3Power
If FET-based reference circuits are used, then voltage regulation is achieved, but PVT sensitivity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multiple feedback loops that continuously monitor the output voltage and reference voltages, automatically compensating for PVT variations. The error amplifiers compare actual voltages against reference values and adjust the control signals to maintain stable regulation, thereby reducing sensitivity to process, voltage, and temperature changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs circuit design techniques that change operating parameters to achieve PVT independence. By carefully selecting resistor ratios, current mirror scaling factors, and feedback network configurations, the circuit maintains constant voltage regulation characteristics across varying process conditions, voltage levels, and temperatures.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a voltage regulation module configured to provide an output voltage signal (Vout) and an auto-calibration module configured to provide a calibration current signal (Isink) corresponding to a voltage difference between a target voltage signal (Vtarget) and the output voltage signal (Vout). The voltage regulation module may adjust the output voltage in response to changes in the calibration current signal. In one embodiment, the voltage regulation module comprises an output voltage resistor pair of resistance R1 and R2, respectively, and the output voltage signal conforms to the equation Vout=Isink·R1+Vref·(1+R1/R2).