Regulator Booster Circuit for DDR Voltage Droop Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Voltage regulators in DDR RAM modules experience voltage droop and delays due to rapid and repetitive changes in current load, particularly in burst mode operations, making it challenging to maintain a steady output voltage.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a regulator booster that is connected to the voltage regulator, which boosts the output voltage by a target amount to counteract the voltage droop caused by changes in current load, using a combination of an inverter, a variable strength T-inverter, and a differentiating capacitor to apply an impulse that compensates for the voltage drop during current spikes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a voltage regulator is used to maintain steady output voltage, then voltage regulation is achieved, but voltage droop and delays occur during rapid current load changes
Solution Approach 1:
The regulator booster is activated in advance or simultaneously with the current load increase to preemptively counteract the voltage droop before it fully develops. The boost signal is generated based on detection of the current load change, causing the booster to engage before the voltage regulator can fully respond to the load transition.
Solution Approach 2:
The regulator booster applies an opposing action to the voltage droop by generating a boost signal that increases the output voltage in the opposite direction of the droop. This anti-action compensates for the harmful voltage decrease caused by the rapid current load increase.
2Productivity
If the voltage regulator responds to large current load increases, then the current load is driven, but temporary voltage decrease occurs before stabilization
Solution Approach 1:
The regulator booster engages before or simultaneously with the voltage regulator's response to the current load increase, providing immediate voltage support that prevents the temporary voltage decrease. This preliminary action eliminates the delay period before voltage stabilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The regulator booster maintains continuous voltage support during the transient period when the voltage regulator is responding to the load change. This continuous useful action ensures uninterrupted voltage supply at the target level throughout the transition period.
3Productivity
If components wake up and sleep rapidly in burst mode, then memory transactions are serviced, but large current load swings cause voltage droop
Solution Approach 1:
The regulator booster operates in periodic synchronization with the burst mode wake-up and sleep cycles of the memory components. The boost signal is activated during each wake-up event and deactivated during sleep events, providing rhythmic voltage support that matches the periodic current load swings.
Solution Approach 2:
The regulator booster is activated in advance of each component wake-up event in burst mode, anticipating the upcoming current load increase. This preliminary activation ensures voltage stability is maintained right from the start of each transaction cycle.
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed that comprises a voltage regulator and a regulator booster. The voltage regulator is supplied by an input and is configured to generate a regulated output. The regulated output has a voltage corresponding to an operating point of the voltage regulator. The regulator booster is connected to the voltage regulator and, when activated, is configured to boost the voltage of the regulated output by a target amount. The target amount is at least a portion of a magnitude of a voltage droop relative to the operating point that is caused by a change in a current load on the regulated output.