Voltage Generator with Feedback Control for Low Operation Voltage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing voltage generators require a minimum operation voltage that is typically greater than 2V due to the limitations of transistor threshold voltages and series coupling, making it challenging to reduce the minimum operation voltage below this threshold.
Innovation Solution
A voltage generator design incorporating a current mirror circuit with a feedback circuit that adjusts the gate voltage of transistors to control terminal voltage, utilizing anti-doped-gate transistors and cascode transistors to reduce the minimum operation voltage, and including a reference voltage circuit for precise voltage control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional transistor series coupling is used to generate output voltage, then the circuit structure is simple, but the minimum operation voltage is high (greater than 2V)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the voltage generation function into separate modules: a bandgap voltage reference circuit for generating the reference voltage, a current mirror circuit for current replication, and a feedback circuit for voltage regulation. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently, enabling operation at lower voltages while maintaining circuit functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback circuit that monitors the output voltage and adjusts the gate voltage of the transistor accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables precise voltage control and stabilization at low operation voltages, overcoming the limitation of conventional series coupling which cannot maintain stable output below 2V.
2Use of energy by moving object
If transistor threshold voltages are reduced to lower minimum operation voltage, then the minimum operation voltage decreases, but the output voltage accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a feedback circuit as an intermediary between the transistor output and the gate control. This feedback mechanism compensates for variations in transistor threshold voltages by dynamically adjusting the gate voltage, thereby maintaining accurate output voltage even when operating at low voltages with transistors having reduced threshold values.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the feedback loop to maintain output accuracy. By continuously monitoring the output voltage and adjusting the gate voltage parameter based on the detected error, the system compensates for threshold voltage variations and maintains precise output voltage control at low operation voltages.
3Ease of manufacture
If series coupling of transistors and resistor is used, then the circuit implementation is straightforward, but the voltage drop across components increases the minimum operation voltage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-dimensional series coupling approach to a multi-dimensional circuit architecture incorporating parallel current mirror paths and feedback control loops. This dimensional expansion allows the circuit to bypass the cumulative voltage drops of simple series coupling while maintaining ease of implementation through standardized circuit blocks.
Data Source
AI summary
A voltage generator and a method for generating an output voltage is presented. The generator has a current mirror circuit with a first transistor having a gate and a first terminal, and a second transistor having a gate coupled to the gate of the first transistor, and with a first terminal coupled to a feedback node. A third transistor has a gate, a first terminal and a second terminal. The first terminal is coupled to the feedback node and the second terminal is coupled to an output node. A fourth transistor has a gate coupled to the third transistor. There is a current source coupled to the output node, and a feedback circuit to detect a terminal voltage at the feedback node and to control the terminal voltage by adjusting a gate voltage at the gate of the second transistor.