Voltage Regulator Circuit for Dual Input Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power regulators in computing devices often rely on a single power source, leading to disproportionate load on that source and a single point of failure, as they are designed to provide regulated output power from a single power bus even when multiple power buses are available.
Innovation Solution
A voltage regulator circuit system that includes a control circuit coupled to a high-side and low-side circuit, allowing selection and combination of power from multiple input sources to distribute the load and increase redundancy, using enable and control signals to manage power distribution between multiple power sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional power regulators are designed to provide regulated output power from a single power bus, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to single point of power failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple power bus inputs (first power bus and second power bus) into a single power regulator circuit that can accept power from either source. The control circuit merges the selection and switching functions to enable seamless operation from multiple power sources, eliminating the single point of failure while maintaining manageable device complexity through integrated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The power regulator is designed with multi-functionality to operate from a single power bus or multiple power buses. The control circuit can selectively switch between different power sources and even combine them, making the regulator universal in its power acceptance capability. This resolves the contradiction by enabling the same device to adapt to different power supply configurations without requiring separate dedicated circuits for each scenario.
2Device complexity
If conventional power regulators rely on a single power source, then the device complexity is reduced, but the load distribution deteriorates causing disproportionate burden on single power supply
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power source selection and load distribution through the control circuit. The regulator can dynamically switch between power sources and adjust the proportion of power drawn from each bus based on system conditions. This dynamic capability allows optimal load distribution across multiple power sources while maintaining a unified regulator design, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and load balancing.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses and methods for providing output power are disclosed. In an example method, a control signal is received at an output stage. The control signal may be provided by a control circuit. The method further includes providing a first power to a filter responsive to the received control signal having a first value, and providing a second power to the filter responsive to the received control signal having a second value. The method further includes decoupling the first power and second power from the filter responsive to the received control signal having a third value.