Voltage Controller Stepwise Regulator Switching Overshoot
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power supply controllers for semiconductor devices require two types of regulators to prevent overshoot and undershoot during voltage switching, which increases complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A controller that adjusts the number of voltage regulators stepwise to manage voltage switching without using two types of regulators, utilizing a single chip configuration with a control unit and interface to receive commands for changing the number of active voltage regulators, thereby preventing overshoot and undershoot.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two types of regulators (series regulator and switching regulator) are used to prevent overshoot and undershoot during voltage switching, then voltage stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of series regulator and switching regulator into a single switching regulator that can operate in different modes. The controller integrates both voltage regulation functions and the ability to prevent overshoot/undershoot into one unified device, eliminating the need for separate regulator circuits while maintaining voltage stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching regulator is designed to perform multiple functions: normal voltage regulation, overshoot prevention, and undershoot prevention. By making the single regulator universal and capable of adapting its operation mode based on control signals, the system achieves the functionality of two regulators without the complexity of two separate devices.
2Productivity
If two types of regulators are used to optimize current driving proportions during voltage switching, then voltage switching performance is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the current driving functions of series regulator and switching regulator into a single switching regulator system. The controller integrates both voltage regulation functions and the ability to prevent overshoot/undershoot into one unified device, eliminating the need for separate regulator circuits while maintaining voltage stability.
3Device complexity
If a single regulator is used to reduce device complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to prevent overshoot and undershoot during voltage switching deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the switching regulator by changing its operating mode based on real-time conditions. The controller dynamically adjusts the regulator's behavior using control signals that enable or disable specific functions (overshoot prevention, undershoot prevention) depending on the voltage transition state, allowing a single regulator to adaptively maintain voltage stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller changes the operational parameters of the switching regulator through control signals. By modifying parameters such as enable/disable states of overshoot/undershoot prevention functions and adjusting duty cycle dynamically, the single regulator achieves the voltage stability that previously required two separate regulators.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed invention provides a controller that can prevent overshoot and undershoot from occurring when a voltage is switched to another voltage without using two types of regulators. Voltage regulators supply a power supply voltage to a CPU. An SVID interface receives a command to change the number of voltage regulators to be actuated among the voltage regulators from outside. A phase clock generating circuit makes a stepwise change of the number of voltage regulators to be actuated from the current number of regulators to the commanded number of regulators after change.