SIMO Voltage Circuit Using Holding Capacitors to Shrink PMIC Footprint
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of voltage generation circuits in power management integrated circuits (PMICs) for mobile communication devices is causing a larger footprint, making it difficult to fit them into miniaturized electronic devices like smartphones and smart gadgets.
Innovation Solution
A single-input, multiple-output (SIMO) voltage circuit that concurrently generates multiple voltages using a reference voltage provided by a PMIC, utilizing multiple holding capacitors and local control loops to regulate and maintain respective voltages, allowing simultaneous supply to multiple load circuits with a smaller footprint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple voltage generation circuits are included in the PMIC to generate multiple supply voltages for multiple power amplifiers, then the PMIC can support multiple load circuits, but the footprint of the PMIC increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single voltage generation circuit that can generate multiple different supply voltages by dynamically reconfiguring its operation. The circuit alternates between generating different voltage levels (e.g., first supply voltage, second supply voltage, third supply voltage) within a single voltage generation cycle, allowing one circuit to perform the function of multiple circuits while reducing the PMIC footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage generation circuit operates periodically, cycling through different voltage generation modes in a systematic sequence. During each voltage generation cycle, the circuit alternates between charging capacitors to different voltage levels and discharging them to supply multiple load circuits, enabling time-multiplexed voltage generation that reduces hardware requirements.
2Area of stationary object
If the number of voltage generation circuits is reduced to decrease PMIC footprint, then the device size is reduced, but the ability to concurrently generate multiple voltages may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit employs periodic charging and discharging operations of capacitors to maintain multiple voltage levels simultaneously. By systematically alternating between charging different capacitors to different voltage levels and discharging them at appropriate times, the single circuit achieves concurrent voltage supply capability despite having only one voltage generation path.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage generation circuit performs preliminary charging of capacitors to the required voltage levels before they are needed by the load circuits. This advance preparation ensures that when multiple voltages are required simultaneously, the capacitors are already charged and ready to supply power, maintaining productivity without requiring multiple generation circuits.
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
The SIMO voltage circuit enables the simultaneous supply of multiple voltages to power amplifiers, reducing the PMIC footprint and supporting enhanced wireless communication capabilities in miniaturized devices.
Implementation Method 1
The SIMO voltage circuit includes multiple holding capacitors, each of which is repeatedly discharged and recharged to maintain a respective one of the voltages during a voltage generation cycle(s)
Implementation Method 2
Each of the multiple local control loops is configured to determine a real target of the respective one of the multiple voltages from the marked-up target of the respective one of the multiple voltages. Each of the multiple local control loops is also configured to control the multi-voltage generation circuit to thereby regulate the respective one of the multiple voltages to match the determined real target
Data Source
AI summary
A single-input, multiple-output (SIMO) voltage circuit in a wireless device is provided. Herein, the SIMO voltage circuit is configured to concurrently generate multiple voltages for amplifying multiple signals based on a reference voltage. In an embodiment, the reference voltage is provided by a power management integrated circuit (PMIC) and multiplexed to indicate respective targets of the voltages. Specifically, the SIMO voltage circuit includes multiple holding capacitors, each of which is repeatedly discharged and recharged to maintain a respective one of the voltages during a voltage generation cycle(s). The SIMO voltage circuit also includes multiple local control loops each configured to regulate a respective one of the voltages to thereby match the respective target indicated by the reference voltage. As such, the SIMO voltage circuit can simultaneously supply the voltages based on a single PMIC, thus making it possible to support multiple load circuits with a smaller footprint.