Voltage Regulator Digital Control Reduces Current Waste
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional low dropout (LDO) regulators face limitations in reaction speed due to bandwidth constraints in analog control and clock rate limitations in digital control, leading to inefficiencies in voltage adjustment and increased current waste.
Innovation Solution
A voltage regulator comprising switching transistors and a control circuit that compares output voltage with a reference voltage, selectively turning on or off the transistors to dynamically adjust the output voltage, allowing for efficient voltage regulation without a fixed clock signal, thereby reducing current waste and preventing inrush current.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the LDO regulator is embodied by the analog control technology, then the voltage regulation is stable, but the reaction speed is limited by the bandwidth of the analog control circuit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional analog control circuit with a digital control system that uses switching transistors and logic circuits. Instead of relying on continuous analog signal processing with bandwidth limitations, the system uses digital logic operations (AND gates, OR gates, NOT gates) to control the switching transistors, thereby achieving faster voltage adjustment speeds while maintaining regulation stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from continuous analog voltage signals to discrete digital logic states. By using digital control signals to switch between different transistor states (on/off), the system achieves faster response times without being constrained by analog circuit bandwidth, while still providing stable voltage regulation through precise digital control.
2Speed
If the LDO regulator is embodied by the sync digital control technology, then the reaction speed can be increased, but the current waste increases and inrush current occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic switching action of the transistors based on digital logic control. The switching transistors are turned on and off periodically according to the digital control signals, allowing the system to achieve fast response without continuous current flow. This periodic action reduces average current consumption compared to synchronous digital control while maintaining fast reaction speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a self-regulating digital control mechanism where the control circuit automatically adjusts the switching transistors based on feedback from the output voltage. The system monitors its own output and self-corrects without requiring external intervention, optimizing current usage by switching transistors only when necessary to maintain voltage regulation, thereby reducing current waste and preventing inrush current.
3Use of energy by stationary object
If the LDO regulator operates in the static state, then the voltage is stable, but the bias current cannot be decreased to reduce static work current
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic control into the static state operation. Instead of maintaining continuous bias current flow as in traditional analog LDO regulators, the system dynamically switches transistors on and off based on digital control logic. This dynamic approach allows the regulator to maintain stable output voltage while significantly reducing static work current, as the switching transistors consume minimal power when in high-impedance states.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the continuous analog bias current mechanism with a digital switching mechanism. The digital control circuit uses logic gates and switching transistors to maintain voltage regulation without requiring continuous current flow. This substitution eliminates the need for high static bias currents while maintaining operational reliability through precise digital control of the switching elements.
Data Source
AI summary
A voltage regulator and a control method thereof are provided to dynamically adjust an output voltage. The voltage regulator comprises a plurality of switching transistors and a control circuit. The first end of each switching transistor receives a driving voltage, and the second end of each switching transistor is electrically connected to the end which outputs the output voltage. The input end and the feedback end of the control circuit respectively receive a reference voltage and the output voltage. A plurality of output ends of the control circuit are electrically connected to the control ends of the switching transistors respectively. Switching transistors adjust the output voltage. The control circuit compares the output voltage with the reference voltage, and selectively turns the switching transistors on or off according to the comparison between the output voltage and the reference voltage, to control the output voltage to approach the reference voltage.