Remote-Sensed SCVR Feedback Loop for Accurate Load Voltage Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Switched capacitor voltage regulators (SCVRs) face accuracy challenges in maintaining constant voltage levels due to distance-related voltage drops and voltage ripple variations, especially in SoC designs where the regulator is far from the load, leading to inefficiencies in power delivery and inaccurate voltage regulation across different operation modes.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a remote sensing circuit within the SCVR feedback loop, which includes both local and remote voltage sensing, uses ping-pong FSM control and dithering to minimize input-referred offset voltages and reduce ripple effects, enabling early detection of under-voltage faults and improving overall voltage regulation accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single-ended feedback sensing circuit is used in C2VR converter, then cost and space efficiencies are improved, but voltage regulation accuracy deteriorates due to IR voltage drop and ripple variation
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback sensing is segmented into multiple independent sensing circuits (first feedback sensing circuit and second feedback sensing circuit) that sense voltage at different locations. This segmentation allows the system to capture both the voltage at the regulator output and the voltage at the load, enabling compensation for IR drops while maintaining the simplicity of individual sensing circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
A differential voltage signal is introduced as an intermediary element that represents the voltage difference between the regulator output and the load. This differential signal acts as a mediator that allows the system to compensate for IR drops without requiring complex sensing circuits at each location, thus maintaining cost and space efficiency while improving accuracy.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the C2VR converter is placed far from the load to improve SoC design flexibility, then design adaptability is improved, but voltage regulation accuracy deteriorates due to large current-resistance voltage drop
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dual feedback mechanism where both the regulator output voltage and the load voltage are sensed and fed back to the control logic. This dual feedback allows the system to continuously monitor and compensate for voltage drops occurring in the power delivery network, enabling accurate voltage regulation even when the regulator is placed far from the load.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the feedback voltage based on the detected voltage drop conditions. By changing the feedback parameter (using different sensing circuits or combining their outputs), the system can adapt to varying load conditions and distances, maintaining voltage regulation accuracy while preserving design flexibility.
3Measurement precision
If remote sensing circuit is added to improve voltage regulation accuracy, then voltage regulation accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple feedback sensing circuits into a unified control mechanism. By combining the outputs of the first and second feedback sensing circuits through the control logic, the system achieves accurate voltage regulation without requiring separate complex remote sensing circuits, thus improving accuracy while limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
4Measurement precision
If multiple feedback sensing circuits are used to detect voltage at different locations, then voltage regulation accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control logic is designed with multi-functionality to handle both simple single-ended feedback and more complex differential feedback scenarios. This universal control mechanism can process feedback from multiple sensing circuits using the same basic control architecture, thereby improving voltage regulation accuracy without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A switched capacitor voltage regulator (SCVR) design, such as a continuous capacitive voltage regulator (C2VR) design, may use capacitors and switches to provide improved cost and space efficiencies. A remote sensing circuit may be used to improve C2VR performance. By adding a remote sensing circuit to the regulation feedback loop within the C2VR circuit design, the C2VR circuit may provide improved accuracy in voltage regulation, such as by providing a correction based on the voltage error between the remote-sensed voltage and the reference target. The remote sensing circuit may also provide transient information for under-voltage detection at an output terminal. This detected transient may become an alternating current (AC) portion of the under-voltage detection threshold, which improves the ability of the C2VR circuit to provide early detection for any under-voltage fault.