Shared LDO Regulator for Independently Collapsible Voltage Domains
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing voltage regulator systems face challenges in efficiently managing multiple voltage domains with low power consumption and minimizing IR drops, especially when independently enabling or disabling voltage domains, which can increase power consumption and reduce voltage supply efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A low-dropout (LDO) regulator design that uses a single operational amplifier and multiple pass transistors with voltage dividers and feedback switches to provide multiple independently collapsible voltage domains, eliminating the need for separate head switches and reducing power consumption by using pass transistors to control voltage domains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate head switches are used for each voltage domain, then independent control of voltage domains is achieved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple head switch functions into a single shared head switch that controls multiple pass transistors. The operational amplifier's output directly controls the gates of multiple pass transistors, eliminating the need for separate head switches for each voltage domain while maintaining independent control capability through the feedback mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The single head switch and operational amplifier serve multiple voltage domains simultaneously. The operational amplifier's output is connected to multiple pass transistors, allowing one control element to manage multiple output voltages, thereby reducing overall device complexity while preserving adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate head switches are used for each voltage domain, then independent control of voltage domains is achieved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple head switch functions into a single shared control mechanism. The operational amplifier's output directly controls multiple pass transistors, eliminating redundant switching elements and reducing the total power consumption associated with multiple independent head switches.
Solution Approach 2:
The single operational amplifier and head switch configuration serves multiple voltage domains, reducing the total number of active components and their associated power consumption while maintaining the ability to independently control each voltage domain through the feedback network.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate LDO regulators are used for multiple voltage domains, then each domain is independently regulated, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple LDO regulator functions into a single integrated circuit. One operational amplifier and shared head switch control multiple pass transistors that serve different voltage domains, maintaining independent regulation capability while significantly reducing device complexity compared to multiple separate LDO regulators.
Solution Approach 2:
The single LDO regulator design provides multi-functionality by regulating multiple voltage domains simultaneously. The feedback network allows each voltage domain to be independently controlled while sharing common control elements, achieving the functionality of multiple regulators with a single device.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate LDO regulators are used for multiple voltage domains, then each domain is independently regulated, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple LDO regulator functions into a single integrated design, reducing the total number of operational amplifiers, head switches, and associated components. This consolidation reduces the overall power consumption while maintaining the ability to independently regulate multiple voltage domains through the shared feedback mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The single LDO regulator provides multi-functional voltage regulation across multiple domains, eliminating the need for multiple separate regulator circuits and their associated power consumption. The shared control elements and feedback network enable independent regulation of each domain with reduced total power usage.
Data Source
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AI summary
Low dropout (LDO) regulators are described herein for providing regulated voltages for multiple voltage domains. In one embodiment, a voltage regulator comprises a plurality of pass transistors, each of the plurality of pass transistors being coupled between an input supply rail and a respective one of a plurality of regulator outputs. The voltage regulator also comprises a plurality of averaging resistors configured to average a plurality of feedback voltages to generate an average feedback voltage, wherein each of the plurality of feedback voltages provides voltage feedback for a respective one of the plurality of regulator outputs. The voltage regular further comprises an amplifier having a first input coupled to the average feedback voltage, and a second input coupled to a reference voltage, wherein the amplifier is configured to drive the plurality of pass transistors in a direction that reduces a difference between the reference voltage and the average feedback voltage.