Threshold-Tracking Voltage Regulator for Low Quiescent Current
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing voltage regulator circuits face challenges in reducing power consumption while maintaining adequate operational voltage across process, temperature, and line variations, and they often require large circuit area and high quiescent current.
Innovation Solution
A voltage regulator circuit that includes a tracking circuit to monitor and adjust the output voltage based on the threshold voltages of load transistors, a margin circuit to set a predetermined margin voltage, and a startup circuit to ensure quick stabilization, all while consuming low quiescent current and occupying a small circuit area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional voltage regulator circuits are used to maintain adequate operational voltage, then voltage stability is improved, but power consumption increases and circuit area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the voltage regulator continuously monitors the output voltage and adjusts the pass transistor control signal accordingly. The feedback loop compares the actual output voltage with the reference voltage and modifies the control signal to maintain voltage stability while optimizing power consumption by avoiding excessive voltage regulation
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage regulator employs dynamic adjustment of the pass transistor gate voltage based on real-time load conditions and voltage requirements. The control circuit dynamically modifies the drive signal to the pass transistor, enabling the regulator to adapt its power consumption to actual operational needs rather than maintaining fixed high power operation
Solution Approach 3:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the pass transistor by adjusting its gate-source voltage dynamically. The control circuit varies the gate voltage parameter to optimize the trade-off between power consumption and voltage regulation performance, operating the transistor in different regions (linear, saturation) based on load requirements
2Reliability
If conventional voltage regulator circuits are used to ensure adequate operational voltage, then voltage regulation is improved, but circuit area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the pass transistor and control circuit architecture. The pass transistor serves both as the main power switching element and as part of the voltage regulation mechanism, while the control circuit integrates reference voltage generation, error amplification, and compensation functions in a compact configuration, reducing overall circuit area
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit is designed to perform multiple functions: generating reference voltage, amplifying error signals, providing compensation, and driving the pass transistor. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated circuits for each function, thereby reducing the total circuit area while maintaining voltage regulation performance
3Use of energy by moving object
If voltage regulator circuit uses tracking circuit to follow threshold voltages, then power efficiency is improved, but startup time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a startup circuit that performs preliminary action by pre-charging the output capacitor and pre-biasing the pass transistor before the main regulation loop becomes active. This preliminary charging action reduces the time required for the voltage regulator to reach its operating voltage level during startup, preventing the delay that would otherwise be caused by the tracking circuit's gradual adjustment
Solution Approach 2:
The startup circuit enables the voltage regulator to skip the gradual tracking phase during initial power-up by directly charging the output to a predetermined voltage level. This rushing through of the startup phase using a dedicated startup current path allows the system to bypass the time-consuming tracking process initially, then transition to normal tracking operation once stabilized
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit includes a load circuit and a voltage regulator circuit. The load circuit includes a load voltage input, a first transistor and a second transistor. The first transistor has a first threshold voltage, and the second transistor has a second threshold voltage. The voltage regulator circuit includes a load voltage output and a tracking circuit. The load voltage output is coupled to the load voltage input. The tracking circuit is configured to provide a load voltage at the load voltage output in which the load voltage tracks the first threshold voltage and the second threshold voltage.