Voltage Regulator Error Detection Using Analog Checksums
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Solution Overview
Problem
Voltage regulators in modern integrated circuits face challenges in error detection and correction due to negative-bias temperature instability and aging, which affect their response time and regulation capabilities, and existing error detection techniques based on analogue checksums are not directly suitable for voltage regulators.
Innovation Solution
A voltage regulator with concurrent error detection and correction using state-space representation and analogue checksums, which includes a checksum module to calculate error signals from multiple states and an adjustment module to adjust these states based on error signals, ensuring optimal correction without destabilizing the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional voltage regulators are used without error detection and correction, then the device complexity remains low, but the reliability deteriorates due to NBTI and aging effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the voltage regulator's output and comparing it against expected values. The error detector receives the output voltage and generates error signals when deviations are detected, which are then fed back to the adjustment module to correct the regulator's operation, thereby maintaining reliability without requiring complete system redesign
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary components including an error detector module, checksum calculator, and adjustment module that mediate between the voltage regulator and the load. These intermediaries detect errors caused by NBTI and aging effects and apply corrections, allowing the regulator to maintain reliability while keeping the core regulator circuit relatively simple
2Reliability
If error detection and correction mechanisms are added to voltage regulators, then the reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the voltage regulator system into distinct functional modules: the main voltage regulator circuit, an error detector module that monitors output, a checksum calculator that generates error signals, and an adjustment module that applies corrections. This segmentation allows each module to perform its function independently, making the complexity manageable and the reliability improvements targeted rather than systemic
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating a virtual model of the expected voltage regulator behavior through checksum calculations. The checksum calculator generates expected output values based on input parameters, and these copied expected values are compared against actual measurements to detect errors, allowing complexity to be concentrated in the calculation model rather than distributed throughout the entire system
3Adaptability or versatility
If the voltage regulator uses fixed correction values, then the adjustment process is simple, but the adaptability to different operating conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the correction values adjustable based on operating conditions. The adjustment module can modify correction values dynamically according to the detected errors and operating parameters, allowing the voltage regulator to adapt to different loads, temperatures, and aging stages without requiring a completely different correction mechanism for each scenario
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying correction values based on operating conditions such as load current, output voltage, and detected error patterns. The adjustment module changes parameters like correction magnitude and application timing to optimize performance across different operating scenarios, enabling adaptability without requiring complex switching between multiple fixed correction sets
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosure relates to voltage regulators and more specially voltage regulators including error detection and correction mechanisms. Example embodiments include a voltage regulator (300) comprising: an input (302) arranged to receive a trim signal used to specify a target voltage at an output (308) of the regulator (300); a comparator (304) arranged to compare a voltage derived from the trim signal to the voltage at the output (308) of the regulator (300); a filter (306) arranged to filter an output of the comparator (306); a checksum module (102) comprising first and second portions (104, 106) arranged to calculate first and second checksums (c1(t), c2(t)) respectively from a plurality of states (S0, S1, S2) associated with the voltage regulator (300) and to provide an error signal (E(t)) equal to the difference between the first and second checksums (c1(t), c2(t)); and an adjustment module (110) arranged to receive the error signal (E(t)) and adjust one or more of the plurality of states (S0, S1, S2) if the error signal (E(t)) is non-zero.