Voltage Regulator Encoder Segmentation for Dynamic Load Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Voltage regulators in modern system on chip (SoC) designs face challenges in maintaining a constant output voltage across dynamic operating conditions, such as changes in current demands, temperature, and supply voltage, leading to undesirable fluctuations.
Innovation Solution
A voltage regulation system utilizing an encoder to generate a multi-bit control signal based on error signals, which are weighted to prioritize recent values, and a decoder to convert these signals into control signals for a power stage, ensuring the output voltage accurately tracks a reference voltage across varying conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a voltage regulator uses a single power supply to power multiple subsystems with different voltage requirements, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but voltage regulation precision deteriorates due to dynamic operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the voltage regulation control into multiple discrete voltage levels (e.g., Vref, 0.95×Vref, 0.90×Vref, etc.). The encoder converts the analog error signal into one of several discrete digital codes, each corresponding to a specific voltage level. This segmentation allows the system to maintain multiple stable operating points, improving regulation precision while keeping the overall architecture simple and cost-effective.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic voltage regulation by continuously monitoring the error signal and adjusting the control signal based on recent error history. The system dynamically switches between different voltage levels using multiplexers controlled by the encoder output, allowing the voltage regulator to adapt to changing operating conditions (load changes, temperature variations, supply voltage fluctuations) and maintain precise regulation.
2Reliability
If a voltage regulator responds quickly to dynamic operating conditions, then voltage stability improves, but complexity of the control system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic sampling of the error signal at discrete time intervals. The encoder processes the error signal periodically, converting it to digital codes that control the voltage level at each sampling period. This periodic action allows the system to respond to dynamic conditions in a structured manner, maintaining stability while avoiding the complexity of continuous analog control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an encoder as an intermediary component between the analog error signal and the digital control signals. The encoder converts the continuous analog error into discrete digital codes, which then control multiplexers that select appropriate voltage levels. This intermediary transformation simplifies the control logic while maintaining responsiveness to dynamic conditions, as the encoder provides a natural interface between analog sensing and digital control.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to voltage regulation techniques. In some embodiments, a voltage regulator is configured to regulate an output voltage based on a reference voltage. The voltage regulator comprises an analog-to-digital converter, an encoder, a decoder and a power stage. The analog-to-digital converter receives the reference voltage and an output voltage of the voltage regulator and provides a digital error signal. The encoder is coupled to the analog-to-digital converter output and configured to provide a multi-bit digital control signal based upon a present value of the digital error signal, a plurality of pre-determined coefficients, and a plurality of previous values of the digital error signal. The decoder is coupled to the encoder and configured to generate a plurality of control signals based on the multi-bit digital control signal. The power stage comprises a plurality of power cells which are coupled to a power supply and which receive the plurality of control signals, respectively.