Voltage Regulator Load Regulation via Current Mirror Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional voltage regulators fail to maintain a load voltage independent of the load resistance due to voltage drops across connecting wires, making the load voltage dependent on the resistance of the load.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a voltage raising element and a current mirror circuit within the voltage regulator to compensate for voltage drops across connecting wires by adjusting the pick-off voltage in response to load current changes, ensuring the load voltage is less dependent on load resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional voltage regulator design is used, then device complexity is low, but load voltage becomes dependent on load resistance due to connecting wire voltage drops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the voltage raising element continuously monitors the load current and adjusts the pick-off voltage accordingly. The current mirror circuit provides feedback about the load current to the voltage raising element, creating a closed-loop system that automatically compensates for voltage drops across connecting wires, thereby stabilizing the load voltage despite variations in load resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a voltage raising element as an intermediary component between the pick-off node and the load. This intermediary actively compensates for the voltage drops caused by connecting wires by raising the voltage in proportion to the load current, thereby isolating the load voltage from the effects of wire resistance and load resistance variations.
2Reliability
If voltage raising element with high resistance is used, then voltage drop compensation is effective, but power loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the resistance of the voltage raising element based on the load current. The resistance is varied to optimize the balance between voltage compensation effectiveness and power loss, allowing the system to adapt to different operating conditions and minimize energy waste while maintaining stable voltage regulation.
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
The solution effectively minimizes the load voltage's dependence on load resistance, maintaining a more stable output voltage by compensating for voltage drops and optimizing power loss, while ensuring the voltage regulator's performance across varying temperatures and resistive materials.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporating a voltage raising element and a current mirror circuit within the voltage regulator to compensate for voltage drops across connecting wires by adjusting the pick-off voltage in response to load current changes
Data Source
AI summary
A voltage regulator comprises a ground node, a pick-off node, a regulator branch, a load branch, and a current mirror the regulator branch and the load branch are connected in parallel between the pick-off node and the ground node; the load branch comprises one or more resistive connecting lines that are connectable in series with the load to generate a load current through the load branch; the regulator branch comprises a bias node, a resistive element, and a tap node; the bias node is arranged to provide a regulated bias voltage; the resistive element is connected between the bias node and the pick-off node; and the tap node is connected between the bias node and the resistive element. The current mirror is connected to the tap node and arranged to draw a mirror current from the tap node; the mirror current having a component that is proportional to the load current.