Voltage Regulator Feedback Circuit for Fast Load Transient Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Voltage regulators in battery management systems face challenges in maintaining accurate regulated output voltage over wide temperature, supply voltage, and load variations, especially in high-voltage environments with stringent accuracy and safety requirements, and require low power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A voltage regulator design featuring a reference current generator and a regulator stage with a NMOS transistor, bipolar current mirror, and output resistors, arranged in a negative feedback loop, providing a low impedance output that is insensitive to load mismatches and variations, with matched transistors and resistors for high accuracy and temperature independence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a conventional voltage regulator design is used, then the circuit complexity is reduced, but the transient response speed to line and load regulation variations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a negative feedback loop using an error amplifier that continuously monitors the output voltage and compares it with a reference voltage. The error amplifier adjusts the control transistor gate voltage to maintain stable output voltage despite line or load variations, achieving fast transient response through active feedback control.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage regulator employs dynamic compensation techniques with frequency compensation capacitors and resistors that adjust the feedback loop characteristics based on operating conditions. This allows the regulator to maintain stability and fast response across varying load currents and supply voltages by dynamically optimizing the compensation network.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the output impedance is increased to reduce sensitivity to load mismatch, then the transient response capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the feedback network, specifically varying the impedance characteristics of compensation capacitors and resistors to optimize both load rejection and transient response. The error amplifier's high gain provides virtual short circuit effect that reduces sensitivity to load mismatch while maintaining fast response through low output impedance.
3Reliability
If the regulator stage uses high current to maintain fixed output voltage over wide load range, then the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage regulator employs partial action by using a high-gain error amplifier that provides precise voltage control with minimal quiescent current. The feedback loop activates only when voltage regulation is needed, and the compensation network uses minimal current to maintain stability, avoiding excessive power consumption while ensuring reliable output voltage over wide load ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operating parameters of the error amplifier and compensation network to optimize power efficiency. By adjusting bias currents and compensation element values, the regulator maintains stable output voltage across wide load ranges while minimizing quiescent power consumption through parameter optimization rather than high current operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A voltage regulator comprising a reference current generator coupled between a supply terminal and a reference terminal and configured to provide a reference current that is independent of an operating range of a supply voltage; and a regulator stage comprising: a current terminal configured to receive the reference current; a NMOS transistor having: a gate coupled to the current terminal; a drain coupled to the supply terminal; and a source coupled to an output terminal; a voltage reference circuit for providing a regulated output voltage coupled between the output terminal and the reference terminal, the voltage reference circuit comprising an output resistor coupled in series with a conduction channel of an output bipolar transistor arranged in a diode-connected configuration; an input bipolar transistor having: a conduction channel coupled between the current terminal and the reference terminal; and a base terminal coupled to a base terminal of the output bipolar transistor.