Replica Biased Voltage Regulator Current Biasing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional replica biased voltage regulators require a significant 'leaker' current to maintain stable output voltage, leading to high power consumption and large resistor size requirements, which are inefficient and area-intensive.
Innovation Solution
The design employs a current-biased NMOS diode and pass transistor configuration, where the source of the replica transistor is biased with a bias voltage, and the gate and drain are biased with a current bias, reducing the need for large resistors and minimizing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If replica biased voltage regulator uses conventional current sourcing architecture with NMOS pass transistors, then stable output voltage is achieved, but significant leaker current is required leading to high power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the biasing parameters from conventional voltage biasing to current biasing. By applying current bias to the gate and drain of the replica transistor while maintaining voltage bias at the source, the regulator achieves stable output voltage with significantly reduced leaker current, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a current bias circuit as an intermediary component that generates the bias current for the replica transistor. This current bias circuit acts as a mediator between the power supply and the replica transistor, enabling precise control of the bias current to minimize power consumption while maintaining voltage stability
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional voltage regulator uses large resistors for biasing, then accurate voltage regulation is achieved, but large area is required on the chip
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the conventional resistor-based biasing mechanism with a current bias circuit. Instead of using large physical resistors to establish bias conditions, the invention uses an active current bias circuit that generates the necessary bias current, replacing the passive resistive element with an active circuit that achieves the same function with much smaller area
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the biasing approach from voltage-based (requiring large resistors) to current-based. By controlling the bias current directly, the system achieves accurate voltage regulation without requiring large resistor values, thereby reducing the chip area required for the regulator circuit
3Measurement precision
If minimum load current is required through replica NMOS and pass transistors, then accurate regulated voltage is obtained, but additional power drain occurs proportional to number of I/O supply voltages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using current biasing that provides just enough bias current to maintain accurate voltage regulation without excessive current flow. The current bias circuit is designed to supply the minimum necessary current to keep the replica transistor in proper operating region, avoiding the excessive power drain that would occur with conventional voltage biasing methods
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, method and system are described for providing a low power replica biased regulated supply voltage without the size requirements of using a large resistor coupled between the source of a master transistor and ground. Instead, a source of a replica transistor diode may be biased with a bias voltage, and the gate and drain of the diode may be biased with a current bias. Additional descriptions provide the supply voltage without the size requirements of a resistor coupled between a source of one or more pass transistors and ground. Instead, the source of the pass transistor(s) may be biased with a “leaker” current.