Split-Pass DAC Supply Regulation for I/Q Crosstalk Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
As electronic devices become smaller, the reduced operating voltage leads to increased current requirements, necessitating high-current low-voltage regulators to maintain power output, while existing solutions face challenges in efficiently managing power supply and reducing crosstalk between I and Q signals in DACs.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a power management unit (PMU) with multiple low-dropout regulators (LDOs) and error amplifiers, which split voltage regulation between multiple LDOs to independently control I and Q loads, reducing current handled by each pass device and mitigating crosstalk through separate pre-distortion algorithms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a single high-current regulator is used to maintain power output in smaller devices, then power handling capability is maintained, but device complexity and heat management become problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single high-current regulation function into multiple lower-current LDO regulators working in parallel. Each LDO handles a portion of the total current, reducing individual device complexity and heat generation while maintaining overall power handling capability through coordinated operation controlled by error amplifiers.
2Length of moving object
If multiple LDOs are used to reduce current per pass device, then pass device size can be reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The regulation system is segmented into multiple independent LDO units, each with its own error amplifier and control circuitry. This segmentation allows smaller pass devices to be used while the overall system complexity is managed through modular design and coordinated control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
Error amplifiers implement feedback control to coordinate the operation of multiple LDOs. Each error amplifier monitors its associated LDO's output and adjusts the pass device gate voltage accordingly, ensuring stable voltage regulation across all parallel channels while managing system complexity through closed-loop control.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If separate regulation channels are used for I and Q loads, then crosstalk is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is segmented into separate regulation channels for I and Q loads, with dedicated LDOs and error amplifiers for each channel. This physical separation prevents crosstalk between I and Q signals while the overall architecture remains manageable through systematic design and coordination.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to power management for digital-to-analog converters (DACs). As electronic devices and the components therein become increasingly smaller to satisfy the desire for more compact/portable devices, the operating voltage may be reduced to reduce the likelihood of shorts and/or voltage/current bleeds. To maintain comparable power output with the reduced operating voltage, the current may increase proportionally to the decrease in voltage. Consequently, in scaled devices and applications, high-current low-voltage regulators may be beneficial. As such, a low-dropout regulator (LDO) including one or more operational amplifiers and multiple pass devices may be implemented between a power supply and the DAC to regulate the power supply to the DAC. Moreover, the LDO may include one or more feedback loops to maintain a desired voltage regulation of the pass devices.