Shunt Regulator Memory Current Supply Using a Precharged Capacitor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shunt regulators experience wasteful current flow during normal operation due to the need to account for large currents flowing through circuits like non-volatile memory, even when they are not operating.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a capacitor and a voltage detection circuit that supplies operating current to non-volatile memory, allowing the shunt regulator to reduce current consumption by only providing current when necessary for data reading operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the shunt regulator is designed to account for large currents flowing through circuits like non-volatile memory, then the circuit can operate when needed, but current consumption increases during normal operation when the circuit is not operating
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitor is pre-charged during normal operation to store energy in advance. When the non-volatile memory needs to operate, the stored energy is immediately available, eliminating the need for continuous current supply and enabling reliable operation only when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous current supply, the system uses periodic charging of the capacitor during normal operation and then discharges it only when the non-volatile memory requires operation. This transforms continuous energy consumption into periodic energy storage and release cycles.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the NMOS transistor continuously supplies current to account for potential memory operations, then the memory can operate when needed, but the current flow becomes wasteful during normal operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary energy storage by charging the capacitor during normal operation. This advance preparation ensures that sufficient current is available when the non-volatile memory needs to operate, while avoiding continuous wasteful current flow through the NMOS transistor.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitor acts as an intermediary energy storage element between the power supply and the non-volatile memory. It decouples the continuous power supply from the intermittent memory operation requirements, allowing the NMOS transistor to supply current only when necessary rather than continuously.
3Reliability
If the shunt regulator accounts for the operating current of the non-volatile memory, then the memory can be operated, but a corresponding current must flow through the NMOS transistor even when the memory is not operating
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitor is charged in advance during periods when the non-volatile memory is not operating, storing the current that would otherwise flow wastefully through the NMOS transistor. This preliminary energy storage ensures reliable current supply when needed while improving overall operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of allowing current to flow continuously through the NMOS transistor and be wasted, the system recovers and stores this current in the capacitor during normal operation. The stored energy is then utilized when the non-volatile memory requires operation, transforming wasted current into useful stored energy.
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 configuration effectively reduces current consumption during normal operation by ensuring current is only supplied when required for data reading, optimizing power usage.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitor, connected between the output terminal and a ground terminal
Data Source
AI summary
A shunt regulator includes: a capacitor, connected between an output terminal and a ground terminal; a voltage divider circuit and an output transistor, connected between the output terminal and the ground terminal; an error amplifier, controlling the output transistor based on a voltage at an output terminal of the voltage divider circuit and a reference voltage; a non-volatile memory; a memory control circuit, outputting a data read signal to the non-volatile memory; and a voltage detection circuit, detecting that a voltage at the output terminal has reached a predetermined voltage which permits a data reading operation of the non-volatile memory, and outputting a detection signal to the memory control circuit. An operating current of the non-volatile memory is supplied from the capacitor.