Voltage Reference Circuit Adaptive Power Cycling for Ripple Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing voltage reference circuits face inefficiencies due to rigid power cycling techniques that fail to adapt to temperature and process variations, leading to excessive power consumption and voltage ripple issues.
Innovation Solution
Adaptive power cycling techniques that dynamically adjust the duty cycle based on temperature and maximum allowable ripple voltage, using a hysteresis comparator to minimize quiescent current and maintain stable reference voltages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the voltage reference circuit operates continuously to maintain stable reference voltage, then voltage stability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage reference circuit is powered cyclically rather than continuously. A controller periodically activates the voltage reference circuit to recharge energy storage capacitors, then deactivates it to conserve power. This periodic operation maintains sufficient voltage stability for low-power modes while dramatically reducing average power consumption compared to continuous operation.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the voltage reference circuit is power-cycled to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but voltage ripple increases
Solution Approach 1:
Energy storage capacitors are introduced as intermediary elements between the voltage reference circuit and the rest of the system. These capacitors store voltage during active periods and release it during inactive periods, smoothing out voltage ripple and maintaining stable reference voltages even when the voltage reference circuit is power-cycled to reduce consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage reference circuit is activated in advance to recharge the energy storage capacitors before entering low-power mode. This preliminary action ensures that sufficient energy is stored in the capacitors to maintain stable reference voltages throughout the subsequent inactive period, preventing excessive voltage ripple during power cycling.
3Device complexity
If a fixed duty cycle is used for power cycling, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to temperature and process variations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A feedback mechanism is implemented where a comparator monitors the voltage across the energy storage capacitors and compares it to a threshold voltage. Based on this feedback, the controller dynamically adjusts the duty cycle of the voltage reference circuit activation. When capacitor voltage drops below the threshold, the controller activates the voltage reference circuit to recharge the capacitors, ensuring adaptive operation across temperature and process variations without excessive complexity.
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
Reduces power consumption and improves efficiency by minimizing quiescent current draw while maintaining stable reference voltages, suitable for low-power modes in computing devices.
Implementation Method 1
a hysteresis comparator to minimize quiescent current and maintain stable reference voltages
Data Source
AI summary
A voltage across a first capacitor and a voltage across a second capacitor are set to a reference voltage via a reference voltage source. The first and second capacitors are disconnected from the reference voltage source and the reference voltage is turned-off. A processing device turns-on the reference voltage in response to determining a voltage difference between the first and second capacitors due to leakage current is at or above a threshold level. The first and second capacitors are connected to the reference voltage source to return the voltage across the first capacitor and the voltage across the second capacitor to the reference voltage.