Turbo Circuit for Voltage Regulator Transient Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional voltage regulators face latency and inadequate energy transfer during transient events, leading to the need for multiple costly and inefficient output capacitors to meet stringent transient requirements.
Innovation Solution
A turbo circuit is introduced that temporarily increases the output of a voltage regulator by providing a multi-stage ON signal to all power stages concurrently in response to a measured transient, using an activation sub-circuit and deactivation sub-circuit to optimize transient response performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional feedback control with error amplifier is used to respond to load transients, then voltage regulation is maintained, but latency occurs due to delay between load transient and next phased switching pulse
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by using a transient detector to identify load transient conditions before the conventional feedback loop can respond. When a transient is detected, the system proactively activates all power stages simultaneously through an OR gate mechanism, preparing the system in advance to meet the sudden load demand without waiting for the next phased switching cycle. This preliminary detection and activation eliminates the latency inherent in conventional feedback control.
2Productivity
If conventional phased switching is used to distribute current production, then power stages are efficiently utilized, but inadequate energy is transferred during transient events
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the power stage activation dynamic rather than static. During normal operation, power stages operate in phased switching mode for efficient current distribution. However, when a transient condition is detected, the system dynamically switches to activate all power stages simultaneously. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize between efficiency during steady-state and maximum power delivery during transients, resolving the contradiction between distributed current production and energy transfer capability.
3Reliability
If multiple output capacitors are added to store energy for transient response, then transient requirements are met, but circuit cost and area increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the transient response function from the output capacitors and relocates it to the power stages themselves. Instead of relying on capacitors to store and release energy during transients, the system uses the power stages as the primary energy source by activating them all simultaneously when needed. This extraction of the transient response function from the capacitive elements reduces the number of capacitors required while maintaining reliable transient response capability.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a turbo circuit for increasing an output of a voltage regulator having a several power stages includes an activation sub-circuit coupled to a feedback signal of the voltage regulator, the activation sub-circuit being configured to generate a multi-stage ON signal for turning on the power stages substantially concurrently. The turbo circuit further comprises a deactivation sub-circuit coupled to the feedback signal, the deactivation sub-circuit being configured to cancel the multi-stage ON signal when the feedback signal reaches an extremum value. In one embodiment, the turbo circuit may be implemented in a multi-phase buck converter fabricated as part of an integrated circuit on a semiconductor die. In another embodiment, the turbo circuit can be implemented in a multi-phase boost converter as part of an integrated circuit on a semiconductor die.