Configurable Switch Array for Multi-Output Voltage Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The design of voltage regulator circuits in computer systems is complex and costly, requiring dedicated high-voltage transistors and customized mask designs, with initial load current estimates often changing during the design process, leading to lengthy re-designs and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A configurable switch array with multiple switch circuits and a control circuit that adjusts the number of switch devices based on load current estimates, allowing for dynamic adaptation to accommodate changes in load current without re-designing the voltage regulator circuit, using high-speed transistors to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated high-voltage transistors and customized mask designs are used in voltage regulator circuits, then the circuit can handle high voltage requirements, but the design complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage regulator circuit is divided into multiple switch circuits (first subset and second subset), each handling specific voltage regulation tasks. This segmentation allows the use of standard transistors instead of dedicated high-voltage transistors, reducing design complexity while maintaining regulation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The switch circuits are designed to be multi-functional, serving both as switching elements and as voltage regulation components. This universality eliminates the need for specialized high-voltage transistors and customized mask designs, reducing device complexity while preserving reliability
2Productivity
If the number of switch circuits is increased to accommodate higher load current estimates, then the circuit can handle increased current demands, but the device area and design complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit employs dynamic configuration where the number of active switch circuits can be adjusted based on actual load conditions. The control circuit dynamically enables or disables switch circuits in the first and second subsets, allowing the same physical circuit to adapt to varying current demands without requiring additional device area
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit changes operational parameters (number of active switches, conductance values) rather than physical structure. By adjusting which switch circuits are active and their conductance states, the circuit can handle different load currents using the same device area
3Adaptability or versatility
If the voltage regulator circuit is re-designed to accommodate changes in load current estimates, then the circuit can meet updated current requirements, but the design time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit is pre-configured with multiple switch circuits (first subset and second subset) that can be selectively activated. This preliminary configuration allows the circuit to adapt to changing load current estimates by simply enabling or disabling pre-existing circuit paths, rather than requiring time-consuming re-design
Data Source
AI summary
A voltage regulator circuit included in a computer system may employ a control circuit and a switch array that includes multiple switch circuits. Different groups of switch circuits that include respective groups of switch devices are coupled between an input power supply node and corresponding regulated power supply nodes. To maintain desired respective voltages on the regulated power supply nodes, the control circuit compares the voltages of the regulated power supply nodes to corresponding reference voltages and, based on results of the comparisons, opens and closes various ones of the switch devices included in the different groups of switch circuits.