Trans-Inductor Voltage Regulator for Fast Transient Power Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multiphase voltage regulators face limitations in transient performance due to switching frequency and control bandwidth, leading to voltage droops that affect chip performance and power consumption, despite the use of advanced decoupling capacitor technologies.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid multiphase VR topology combining low-frequency buck power stages with high-frequency accelerated voltage regulator (AVR) bridges through a transformer-inductor coupling structure, allowing the AVR bridges to respond to high-frequency transients with a switching frequency at least ten times greater than the main stages, thereby minimizing power loss and enabling IVR-class transient response without onboard decoupling capacitors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If low-frequency buck power stages are used for high current delivery, then power conversion efficiency is improved, but transient response speed deteriorates due to limited control bandwidth
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage regulator is segmented into two functional parts: low-frequency buck power stages for efficient high-current power conversion, and high-frequency accelerated voltage regulator bridges for fast transient response. This segmentation allows each part to operate in its optimal frequency range, resolving the contradiction between efficiency and transient speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the low-frequency buck converter and high-frequency AVR bridges into a hybrid topology where both work together through a shared output node. The buck stages handle bulk power delivery efficiently while the AVR bridges provide rapid transient compensation, achieving both high efficiency and fast response simultaneously.
2Speed
If switching frequency is increased to improve transient response, then transient performance is improved, but power loss increases due to higher switching losses
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the switching operations into low-frequency buck stages (for efficient bulk power transfer) and high-frequency AVR bridges (for fast transient response). The AVR bridges operate at high frequency only during transient events, minimizing overall switching losses while providing fast response when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The AVR bridges are activated periodically or event-driven based on transient detection, operating at high frequency only when transient response is needed. During steady-state operation, the system relies on the efficient low-frequency buck stages, reducing cumulative switching losses.
3Reliability
If advanced on-die decoupling capacitor technologies are used to suppress 1st resonance, then voltage droop mitigation is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces accelerated voltage regulator bridges as an intermediary active control mechanism between the power stages and the load. This active mediation provides voltage droop mitigation through fast transient response, alternative to passive decoupling capacitor approaches, reducing the need for complex on-die capacitor structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the passive mechanical/electrical decoupling capacitor system with an active control system using AVR bridges. This substitution achieves voltage droop mitigation through active switching control rather than passive capacitance, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining reliability.
4Reliability
If more high-density package capacitors are used to mitigate 2nd droop, then transient performance is improved, but device complexity and parasitic inductance increase
Solution Approach 1:
The AVR bridges serve as an active intermediary that compensates for 2nd droop through high-frequency switching action. This active mediation reduces the need for additional passive capacitors in the package, simplifying the capacitor network while maintaining transient performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the transient compensation function from the passive capacitor network and relocates it to the active AVR bridge circuitry. This extraction allows the system to achieve transient performance improvement without adding more physical capacitors, thereby reducing device complexity and parasitic inductance.
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 solution achieves high efficiency and fast transient response, reducing the need for onboard decoupling capacitors and maintaining high end-to-end power delivery efficiency, while effectively mitigating voltage droops and noise across a wide range of frequencies.
Implementation Method 1
a primary winding, and a secondary winding inductively coupled to the primary winding
Data Source
AI summary
A voltage regulator having a multiple of main stages and at least one accelerated voltage regulator (AVR) bridge is provided. The main stages may respond to low frequency current transients and provide DC output voltage regulation. The AVR bridges are switched much faster than the main stages and respond to high frequency current transients without regulating the DC output voltage. The AVR bridge frequency response range can overlap with the main stage frequency response range, and the lowest frequency to which the AVR bridges respond may be set lower than the highest frequency to which the main stages respond.