Two-Stage Voltage Regulator With Segmented Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional voltage regulator designs face a tradeoff between power and performance due to the use of resistive feedback, where high resistance leads to low power but degrades performance, and low resistance results in higher standby power consumption.

Innovation Solution

A two-stage voltage regulator design that separates reference generation from regulator performance, using a high resistance feedback circuit in the first stage to generate a high voltage reference and a low resistance feedback circuit in the second stage to maintain a unity gain voltage regulated signal, with a switch to control power usage by limiting the on-time of the first stage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If high resistance feedback circuit is used, then power consumption is reduced, but performance is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidperformance

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The voltage regulator is divided into two separate stages: a first stage with high resistance feedback for power efficiency and a second stage with low resistance feedback for performance. This segmentation allows each stage to optimize for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between power consumption and performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A switch is introduced as an intermediary component to control the on-time of the first stage circuitry. This switch enables dynamic power management by limiting when the high resistance feedback stage is active, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining performance when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If low resistance feedback circuit is used, then performance is improved, but standby power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveperformanceVSAvoidstandby power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The feedback circuit is segmented into two distinct paths: one with low resistance for performance-critical operations and another with high resistance for standby mode. The switch controls which path is active, allowing the system to achieve low standby power consumption while maintaining high performance when required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between two feedback configurations based on operational requirements. The switch controls the on-time of the first stage, enabling the circuit to adapt its resistance characteristics in real-time, thereby optimizing the balance between performance and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10852757B2Low-power, high-performance regulator devices, systems, and associated methods

Publication Date: 2020.12.01 INTEL CORP

AI summary

Low-power, high-performance voltage regulator circuit devices are disclosed and described. In one embodiment, such a device can include a first stage circuitry configured to generate a high voltage reference from a low voltage reference, a second stage circuitry coupled to the first stage circuitry, the second stage circuitry configured to receive the high voltage reference and output a voltage regulated signal, and a switch disposed between and coupled to the first stage circuitry and the second stage circuitry, the switch being configured to couple and uncouple the first stage circuitry from the second stage circuitry.