Voltage Regulator with Active and Standby Amplifiers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional voltage regulators continuously consume power even when there is no active load current, leading to wasteful energy usage, and turning them off results in output voltage drift due to leakage and noise.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a voltage regulator with an active amplifier and a standby amplifier that periodically turns on and off based on a sample and hold mechanism, amplifying the input voltage only when necessary to maintain a stable output voltage, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the voltage regulator is continuously turned on to maintain stable output voltage, then the output voltage stability is improved, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoutput voltage stabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The voltage regulator is operated in periodic cycles rather than continuously. The controller turns the voltage regulator on for a defined period to charge the output capacitor, then turns it off for a defined period to allow the capacitor to discharge and voltage to drift. This periodic operation maintains adequate voltage stability while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The voltage regulator is turned on in advance for a defined period to charge the output capacitor to a desired voltage level before being turned off. This preliminary charging action ensures that when the regulator is off, the capacitor can maintain the voltage for an extended period, reducing the frequency of regulator activation and overall power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Use of energy by moving object

If the voltage regulator is turned off to reduce power consumption, then the power consumption is reduced, but the output voltage drifts due to leakage and noise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidoutput voltage stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic on-off cycles with carefully defined durations. The regulator is turned on long enough to charge the output capacitor to a sufficient voltage level, then turned off to allow controlled voltage drift. This periodic approach balances power savings with maintaining voltage within acceptable ranges for the load.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The controller monitors the output voltage and uses feedback to determine when to turn the voltage regulator on and off. By detecting the voltage level and the state of the load, the controller adjusts the timing of regulator activation to maintain voltage stability while minimizing power consumption, preventing both excessive drift and unnecessary power usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Use of energy by moving object

If the voltage regulator is turned on and off frequently to reduce power consumption, then the power consumption is reduced, but the performance degradation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidperformance degradation

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The voltage regulator operates in periodic cycles with defined on and off durations. The controller is configured to turn the regulator on for sufficient time to charge the output capacitor to an adequate voltage level, then off for a controlled period. This approach limits the frequency of switching while maintaining voltage stability, reducing both power consumption and performance degradation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of the voltage regulator, specifically the duty cycle (ratio of on-time to total cycle time). By optimizing this parameter, the system achieves an balance between power consumption and performance, ensuring the regulator is on long enough to maintain adequate voltage but off long enough to save power, minimizing overall performance degradation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This solution reduces power consumption by only activating the voltage regulator when needed, ensuring the output voltage remains stable and near the desired value, with minimal performance degradation.

Implementation Method 1

an active amplifier configured to amplify an input voltage to produce an output voltage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical amplification:

Data Source

PatentUS10903793B2Voltage regulators having regulated voltage output irrespective of input voltage

Publication Date: 2021.01.26 INTEL CORP

AI summary

Technology for a system operable to regulate an output voltage is described. The system can include an active amplifier configured to amplify an input voltage to produce the output voltage when there is active current consumption at the output voltage of the system. The system can include a standby amplifier configured to switch between amplifying the input voltage for a defined period of time and not amplifying the input voltage for a defined period of time to maintain a desired value for the output voltage of the system.