Synchronous Switching Regulator Overvoltage Protection Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
In automotive applications, synchronous buck and buck-boost converters face challenges in withstanding large overvoltage conditions, leading to the need for larger transistors that increase silicon area, reducing integrated circuit yield and increasing costs.
Innovation Solution
A switching regulator circuit design that includes an overvoltage detection circuit to protect at least one of the series-connected power transistors, allowing the circuit to be made smaller by turning off the transistors during overvoltage conditions, thereby reducing the required silicon area and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If larger transistors are used to withstand overvoltage conditions, then the circuit can handle higher voltages, but the silicon area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The overvoltage detection circuit proactively detects overvoltage conditions before they can damage the transistors. By detecting the overvoltage state in advance and turning off the first transistor preemptively, the circuit protects itself without requiring the transistors to be sized for the maximum overvoltage stress, thus reducing the required silicon area while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The overvoltage detection circuit acts as an intermediary between the power supply voltage and the transistors. It monitors the voltage and controls the transistor switching based on detected conditions, allowing the transistors to operate within safe voltage limits and reducing their required size while still protecting against overvoltage damage
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic circuit combines a synchronous switching regulator circuit with an overvoltage detection circuit. The overvoltage detection circuit is configured to generate an overvoltage signal capable of an overvoltage state indicative of a power supply voltage being above a predetermined threshold voltage. The switching regulator circuit is coupled to receive the overvoltage signal. The switching regulator is also configured, in response to the overvoltage signal being in the overvoltage state, to generate a first control signal resulting in at least one of two series coupled transistors being in an off condition.