Regulator Circuit Transient Voltage Detection and Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Regulator circuits face challenges in stabilizing output voltage due to variations in input voltage or load current, particularly with MOSFETs, leading to overshoot or undershoot issues, and existing solutions either increase current consumption or fail to suppress voltage variations effectively.
Innovation Solution
A regulator circuit design incorporating a detection circuit and an auxiliary circuit that detect transient voltage variations using a detecting capacitor, amplifying the transient current to adjust the control terminal of the output transistor, thereby stabilizing the output voltage without increasing steady-state power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the size of the MOSFET output transistor is increased to ensure larger current capacity, then the current capacity is improved, but the gate capacitance increases causing delayed response to voltage variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a separate detection circuit and auxiliary circuit that operate independently from the main error amplifier. The detection circuit monitors voltage variations while the auxiliary circuit provides dedicated compensation current to the control terminal, segmenting the response function from the main control path and enabling faster response without increasing MOSFET size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an auxiliary circuit as an intermediary between the detection circuit and the control terminal of the output transistor. This auxiliary circuit receives detection signals and provides compensation current to the control terminal, acting as a mediator that accelerates the response to voltage variations without requiring larger transistor dimensions.
2Speed
If a large bias current is supplied to the error amplifier to improve response speed, then the response speed is improved, but the steady-state power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic or transient action through the auxiliary circuit that provides compensation current only during voltage variations. The detection circuit activates the auxiliary circuit only when variations are detected, rather than maintaining continuous large bias current, thus achieving fast response during transients while minimizing steady-state power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection circuit automatically detects voltage variations and activates the auxiliary circuit only when needed. The system self-regulates the bias current to the error amplifier based on actual circuit conditions, providing large current during variations and reducing it during steady state, thereby eliminating the need for continuously high power consumption.
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 suppresses overshoot and undershoot in output voltage during transient variations without increasing current consumption, ensuring stable output voltage across varying input conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The detection circuit may include a detecting capacitor provided between the terminal which should have a stable potential and a terminal having a fixed potential, and may detect a variation in voltage by monitoring a transient current flowing through the detecting capacitor upon a variation in voltage at the terminal which should have a stable potential.
Data Source
AI summary
A regulator circuit is provided which suppresses a variation in output voltage upon occurrence of a variation in input voltage or output current without any increase in steady-state power consumption.