Voltage Regulator Adaptive Voltage Position Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional adaptive voltage position (AVP) control methods for voltage regulators depend on output current, which is inadequate when the output voltage needs to be maintained independently of the output current at light loads in modern electronic devices.
Innovation Solution
A voltage regulator with a control circuit that maintains the output voltage at a clamp level when the output current is below a transition level and decreases it as the output current increases above this level, using a switching circuit and control signals to manage the output voltage and current relationship.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional AVP control is used where output voltage depends on output current, then voltage spikes during transient period are reduced, but output voltage cannot be maintained independently at light load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic AVP control by switching between two operational modes: a first mode where output voltage is independent of output current (using first feedback signal) when output current is below threshold, and a second mode where output voltage depends on output current (using second feedback signal) when output current exceeds threshold. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction by adapting the control strategy based on load conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the feedback parameter dynamically by selecting between a first feedback signal (for voltage independence) and a second feedback signal (for voltage-current dependence) based on the output current level. This parameter switching allows the system to maintain voltage stability at light load while achieving proper voltage regulation at heavy load, resolving the technical contradiction.
2Productivity
If output voltage decreases linearly with output current in conventional AVP, then entire voltage tolerance window is utilized, but output voltage must depend on output current even at light load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the voltage-current relationship by switching between two feedback modes based on output current level. At light load (below threshold), the first feedback signal maintains voltage independence, allowing the voltage tolerance window to be fully utilized. At heavy load (above threshold), the second feedback signal enables linear voltage decrease with current, ensuring proper voltage regulation. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction between voltage tolerance utilization and voltage independence requirement.
3Ease of manufacture
If AVP control allows fewer output capacitors, then cost is reduced, but new requirements for voltage independence at light load cannot be met
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains cost-effectiveness by continuing to use fewer output capacitors while adding a control circuit that dynamically switches between feedback modes. The control circuit enables voltage independence at light load through the first feedback signal when current is below threshold, without requiring additional capacitors. This dynamic control approach resolves the contradiction between cost reduction and voltage independence capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A voltage regulator has a switching circuit and a control circuit. The switching circuit receives an input voltage and provides an output voltage and an output current. The control circuit provides a control signal to the switching circuit, such that the output voltage is maintained at a clamp voltage level when the output current is lower than a transition current level, and the output voltage decreases as the output current increases when the output current is higher than the transition current level.