Supply Voltage Identifier Circuit for IC Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional integrated circuits face issues with accurately identifying external supply voltage ranges, leading to noise-induced erroneous switching and power management errors, especially during power-up phases, and high power consumption due to continuous comparator operation.
Innovation Solution
A supply-voltage identifier circuit that senses and compares the external voltage with a reference voltage, stores the result, and disables itself after power-up, using a voltage divider circuit, offset-compensated comparator, and latches to minimize noise interference and power consumption, ensuring accurate supply management decisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the comparator is kept on all the time to continuously monitor supply voltage, then the supply voltage can be accurately identified, but the circuit generates lots of noise and consumes high power
Solution Approach 1:
The comparator is enabled only during a predefined period after power-up to perform voltage range identification, then disabled for normal operation. This periodic activation eliminates continuous power consumption and noise generation while maintaining the ability to accurately identify supply voltage range at startup.
Solution Approach 2:
The supply voltage range is identified and registered during the power-up phase before the main circuit operation begins. By performing the voltage identification action in advance, the system establishes the correct voltage range detection result before noise from operational logic circuits can interfere, eliminating the need for continuous monitoring.
2Measurement precision
If the comparator is kept on all the time to continuously monitor supply voltage, then the supply voltage can be accurately identified, but switching noise causes erroneous switching
Solution Approach 1:
The supply voltage range identification is performed during the power-up phase before the main logic circuits are fully activated. By completing the voltage detection and registration action in advance, the system establishes the correct voltage range result before noise from operational logic circuits can interfere, preventing erroneous switching throughout normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage identification function is separated into a distinct power-up phase operation, with the comparator enabled only during this specific time window. This segmentation isolates the sensitive comparison operation from the noisy normal operation phase, preventing noise-induced erroneous switching while maintaining identification accuracy.
3Reliability
If the sensing means, reference generator and comparison means are continuously enabled, then the supply voltage can be continuously monitored, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing means, reference generator, and comparison means are enabled only during a predefined period after power-up, then disabled for normal operation. This periodic activation maintains the ability to monitor and identify supply voltage range at startup while eliminating continuous power consumption during operation when monitoring is not needed.
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 circuit accurately identifies the external supply voltage range once at power-up, reduces noise interference, and minimizes power consumption by disabling unnecessary components during normal operation, preventing erroneous decisions and maintaining low power usage.
Implementation Method 1
supply voltage sensing means incorporating enable/disable input and receiving supply voltage
Implementation Method 2
a comparison means having first input connected to the output of said sensing means, a second input connected to said reference generator
Data Source
AI summary
A supply identifier takes precise decision on the range of the external supply to manage a proper internal supply to the core of the IC by controlling a regulator or a switch connected to external supply. This supply identifier defers the decision until everything that influences the decision settles after power-up, then makes a decision only once depending on the external supply range and switches itself off, keeping the decision stored, to avoid noise-induced wrong behavior and to reduce power consumption.