Switching Voltage Regulator Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Switching voltage regulators in powered devices, such as LTE-USB-modems, face high power consumption in standby states, which exceeds the desired overall power consumption limits, particularly due to the internal power consumption of buck regulators and additional supply currents required for loads, making them incompatible with USB 2.0 standards.
Innovation Solution
A power supply circuit and management circuit that selectively supplies switching voltage regulators with different input voltages based on the operative state of the load, allowing the regulator to switch between a working state with high power consumption and a standby state with low power consumption, using a voltage converting element and a bypass line controlled by a logic-based unit to adjust voltage and minimize power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the switching voltage regulator operates in working state to supply power to the load, then the load receives adequate power, but the power consumption exceeds USB 2.0 standby limits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic operation mode switching for the voltage regulator, transitioning between working state (first operation mode) and standby state (second operation mode) based on load requirements. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to meet power demands during active operation while reducing power consumption during standby periods to comply with USB 2.0 specifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters of the voltage regulator by adjusting switching frequency and duty cycle when transitioning between working and standby states. These parameter modifications enable the regulator to maintain adequate power delivery in working state while minimizing power consumption in standby state, resolving the contradiction between reliability and energy usage.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the voltage regulator reduces power consumption in standby state, then USB 2.0 compliance is achieved, but the device cannot be immediately reactivated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by maintaining the voltage regulator in a reduced operation mode during standby state rather than completely shutting it down. This preliminary preparation ensures that the regulator remains partially active and can be quickly transitioned back to full working state, achieving both low power consumption and fast reactivation capabilities.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the switching voltage regulator is completely switched off in standby state, then power consumption is minimized, but power supply continuity is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic operation mode switching for the voltage regulator, transitioning between working state (first operation mode) and standby state (second operation mode) based on load requirements. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to meet power demands during active operation while reducing power consumption during standby periods to comply with USB 2.0 specifications.
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply circuit (106) for a switching voltage regulator (108) connectable to a load (110) is described. In order to manage a power consumption of the switching voltage regulator (108) and in particular to minimize a power consumption of the switching voltage regulator when being operative, the power supply circuit (106) is configured for selectively supplying the switching voltage regulator (108) with one of a first input voltage and a second input voltage in response to a control signal indicative of an operative state of the load (110) such that the switching voltage regulator (108) is switched between a working state in response to the first input voltage and a standby state in response to the second input voltage.