N:1 Resonant Star Topology Voltage Regulator for High Bandwidth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional switched capacitor circuits for voltage regulation suffer from charge-discharge losses due to parasitic inductance, limiting their conversion efficiency and requiring large passive components on a motherboard.
Innovation Solution
The N:1 resonant star topology uses high self-resonant frequency capacitors and a small inductor switching at 200 MHz, allowing for a combination of on-die and on-package components, eliminating charge-discharge losses and achieving higher bandwidth by accommodating passive devices on a package.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If traditional switched capacitor circuits are used for voltage regulation, then the circuit structure is simple, but charge-discharge losses occur due to parasitic inductance, limiting conversion efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies resonant switching at high frequency (e.g., 200 MHz) to exploit the resonant behavior of the LC tank circuit. By switching at the resonant frequency, the inductor and capacitor work together to minimize energy losses from parasitic inductance, transforming the harmful parasitic effects into useful resonant energy transfer that eliminates charge-discharge losses while maintaining circuit efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters by using high self-resonant frequency capacitors and switching at high frequency (e.g., 200 MHz). This parameter change allows the circuit to operate in a regime where parasitic inductance becomes beneficial rather than harmful, eliminating charge-discharge losses while the resonant architecture manages the increased complexity through standardized high-frequency design techniques
2Loss of energy
If traditional buck regulators are used, then conversion efficiency is limited, but the device footprint on motherboard is large due to required passive components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the inductor and capacitor into a single resonant LC tank circuit that operates at high frequency. This combination eliminates the need for separate large passive components on the motherboard, as the resonant tank achieves both voltage regulation and energy storage functions in an integrated manner that dramatically reduces the footprint while improving conversion efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic high-frequency switching (e.g., 200 MHz) to charge and discharge the resonant LC tank. This periodic action allows energy to be transferred efficiently in small packets over time, enabling the use of much smaller passive components compared to traditional continuous conduction mode buck regulators, thereby reducing motherboard footprint while achieving superior conversion efficiency
3Speed
If high switching frequency is used to increase bandwidth, then conversion efficiency improves, but charge-discharge losses from parasitic inductance increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent exploits resonant vibration at the switching frequency to synchronize energy transfer with the natural oscillation of the LC tank. By operating at resonance, the high switching frequency needed for wide bandwidth actually enhances energy transfer efficiency rather than increasing losses, as the resonant oscillation minimizes the impact of parasitic inductance during charge and discharge cycles
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
This approach results in a high-bandwidth voltage regulator with ten times higher efficiency compared to traditional step-down regulators, reducing the need for large passive components on the motherboard and enhancing power supply efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The N:1 resonant star topology uses high self-resonant frequency capacitors and a small inductor which switches at, for example, 200 MHz
Implementation Method 2
These losses are eliminated by parasitic inductance that enable high conversion efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an N:1 (where N is an integer such as 3 or higher) resonant star topology converter to generate an input supply (e.g., 1.8V) for a processor (e.g., a system-on-chip (SOC)) from a higher power supply source (e.g., 12.6V) such as a battery or other source. The resonant star topology based regulator can be realized by a combination of on-die and on-package components as opposed to voltage regulators on motherboard with discrete inductor and capacitors. In one example, capacitors of the N:1 resonant star topology are implemented as multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCC). The architecture of the N:1 resonant star topology based regulator results in high bandwidth. For example, compared to traditional step-down voltage regulators, the N:1 resonant star topology based regulator exhibits ten times higher bandwidth.