Two-Stage Voltage Regulator for Low-Noise, Low-Loss Power

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Solution Overview

Problem

Linear voltage regulators suffer from inefficiency and thermal heating due to power loss, which is proportional to the ratio of input to output voltage, necessitating bulky cooling systems, while conventional solutions for ultra-low noise regulation and energy efficiency are not satisfactory.

Innovation Solution

A voltage regulator comprising a pre-regulation circuit and a low drop-out voltage regulator, with a low-pass filter circuit to attenuate high-frequency noise and a low drop-out voltage regulator to filter low-frequency noise, maintaining the linear regulator in a linear regime to minimize heat dissipation and noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a linear voltage regulator is used to achieve very low noise regulation, then noise level is reduced, but power loss increases proportionally to the input-output voltage ratio

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise levelVSAvoidpower loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The voltage regulation function is divided into two independent stages: a pre-regulation circuit that performs粗 regulation with high voltage difference, and a low drop-out regulator that performs fine regulation with minimal voltage difference. This segmentation allows each stage to operate in its optimal efficiency range, resolving the contradiction between noise reduction and power loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pre-regulation circuit acts as an intermediary between the high-voltage input source and the low drop-out regulator. It prepares the voltage by reducing the voltage difference before it reaches the low drop-out regulator, thereby minimizing the power loss in the noise-critical regulation stage while maintaining low noise output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a linear voltage regulator operates with high input-output voltage ratio, then voltage regulation is achieved, but thermal heating increases requiring bulky cooling systems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage regulationVSAvoidthermal heating

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The voltage regulation process is segmented into two stages with different voltage ratios. The pre-regulation circuit handles the high voltage ratio (e.g., 5V to intermediate voltage), accepting the thermal burden there. The low drop-out regulator handles the final regulation with minimal voltage difference, minimizing heat generation at the critical output stage. This segmentation resolves the contradiction between maintaining voltage regulation and reducing thermal heating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Temperature

If conventional cooling systems are added to manage thermal heating, then temperature control is achieved, but device complexity and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature controlVSAvoidcooling system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of heat generation into a beneficial thermal management strategy by deliberately placing the high-power dissipation stage (pre-regulation circuit) in thermal contact with the heat sink, while keeping the low-power stage (low drop-out regulator) thermally isolated. This allows efficient heat removal without requiring complex cooling systems for the entire regulator.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 provides a regulated power supply voltage with extremely low noise and optimal energy efficiency, reducing energy losses to manageable levels that allow for compact cooling systems or none at all, while maintaining ultra-low noise levels.

Implementation Method 1

The low drop-out voltage regulator is configured to generate a second power supply voltage by filtering a low-frequency component of the first power supply voltage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltering: Filter (electronic)

Implementation Method 2

The pre-regulation circuit is configured to generate a first power supply voltage based on an input voltage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVoltage regulation:

Data Source

PatentUS12580468B2Integrated circuit comprising a voltage regulator and corresponding regulation method

Publication Date: 2026.03.17 STMICROELECTRONICS (GRAND OUEST) SAS

AI summary

A voltage regulator includes a pre-regulation circuit and a low drop-out voltage regulator. The pre-regulation circuit is configured to generate a first power supply voltage based on an input voltage. The low drop-out voltage regulator is configured to generate a second power supply voltage based on the first power supply voltage. Additionally, the low drop-out voltage regulator is configured to filter a low-frequency component of the first power supply voltage.