Reconfigurable Voltage Regulator for Multi-Domain Power Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable systems face reduced power efficiency due to the limitations of prior art LDO voltage regulators, which require numerous decoupling capacitors, increasing die size and energy consumption, especially in systems with multiple power domains.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable voltage regulator with a power detecting circuit and a charge pump featuring a matrix arrangement of pump stages, where each stage is activated or deactivated based on a corresponding bit of the pump enable signal, allowing for optimized power efficiency across multiple power domains by partitioning the power supply into voltage zones and dynamically adjusting the charge pump configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If prior art LDO voltage regulators are used to regulate voltages for circuits in specific power domains, then voltage regulation is achieved, but power efficiency is downgraded and die size increases due to the need for many decoupling capacitors
Solution Approach 1:
The charge pump circuit is designed to serve multiple power domains simultaneously by generating multiple output voltages (VOUT1, VOUT2, VOUT3) corresponding to different voltage zones. A single charge pump structure replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate LDO regulators and their associated decoupling capacitors for each power domain, achieving multi-functionality while reducing component count and improving power efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The charge pump is divided into multiple pump stages (first charge pump stage, second charge pump stage, third charge pump stage) that can be selectively activated. Each pump stage corresponds to specific voltage zones and power domains, allowing the system to segment the power generation function across different operational modes. This segmentation enables efficient power delivery to specific power domains only when needed, improving overall power efficiency
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple LDO regulators are embedded on a power management chip to regulate voltages for multiple power domains, then voltage regulation for each domain is achieved, but the die size increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single charge pump circuit is designed to provide voltage regulation for multiple power domains (first power domain, second power domain, third power domain) by generating multiple output voltages corresponding to different voltage zones. This universal charge pump structure replaces multiple separate LDO regulators, achieving the same adaptability for multiple power domains while significantly reducing the die area required
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of multiple LDO regulators into a single charge pump circuit that can operate in different modes to serve multiple power domains. By combining voltage regulation functions for first power domain, second power domain, and third power domain into one integrated charge pump structure, the die size is reduced while maintaining the ability to regulate voltages across all power domains
3Use of energy by moving object
If the charge pump uses a fixed configuration to generate voltages, then simple circuit design is achieved, but power efficiency is reduced across varying power ranges
Solution Approach 1:
The charge pump is designed with dynamic reconfiguration capability through control logic that selectively activates different pump stages based on the detected power domain and voltage zone. The charge pump transitions from a fixed configuration to a dynamic one where the first charge pump stage, second charge pump stage, and third charge pump stage can be independently controlled. This dynamic adaptation optimizes power efficiency across the entire power range by activating only the necessary pump stages for current operating conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by detecting the power domain and determining the appropriate voltage zone, then configuring the charge pump accordingly. The control logic modifies which pump stages are active based on the required output voltage, effectively changing the charge pump's operational parameters to match the power domain requirements. This parameter-based configuration optimization improves power efficiency without requiring a completely different circuit for each power domain
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 achieves optimized power efficiency by dynamically reconfiguring the charge pump for each power domain, reducing energy consumption and die size, while maintaining efficient operation across a wide power range, particularly beneficial for systems like flash memory.
Implementation Method 1
The charge pump includes a plurality of pump stages arranged in a matrix defined by a first to an Mth row and a first to an Nth columns wherein each pump stage is active or deactivated according to a corresponding bit of the pump enable signal
Data Source
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AI summary
A reconfigurable voltage regulator for use in a system having a multiple power domains includes a power detecting circuit and a charge pump. The power detecting circuit is coupled to a power supply and configured to partition a power range of the power supply into multiple voltages zones corresponding to the multiple power domains of the system and provide a pump enable signal associated with a specific power domain among the multiple power domains. The charge pump includes multiple pump stages arranged in a matrix, wherein each pump stage is activated or deactivated according to a corresponding bit of the pump enable signal.