Voltage Regulator Feedback Circuit for Wide Input Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional voltage regulators fail to maintain a closely regulated output voltage over a wide range of input voltages and varying load conditions, requiring extensive silicon verification testing and compromising time to market for products.
Innovation Solution
A voltage regulator design incorporating a reference voltage unit, n-type metal oxide semiconductor transistors, and a gain-boosting two-stage operational amplifier with a trim circuit, which provides a substantially constant output voltage across varying input voltages and temperatures through closed-loop feedback and temperature-compensated components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional voltage regulator designs are used with predetermined nominal specifications, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to wide range of input voltages deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptation by detecting the actual input voltage level and automatically selecting appropriate pass transistor gate voltages from multiple available levels. This dynamic selection mechanism allows the regulator to adapt to wide input voltage ranges (10V to 60V) without requiring complex predetermined design specifications for each possible input condition.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional voltage regulators operate with limited input voltage tolerances, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the productivity is reduced due to extensive silicon verification testing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates multiple predetermined gate voltage levels (e.g., first, second, third levels) that are prepared in advance for different input voltage ranges. This preliminary preparation of voltage levels eliminates the need for extensive post-manufacturing verification testing, as the regulator is pre-configured to handle various input conditions, thereby reducing time to market while maintaining output precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the input voltage changes in conventional regulators, then the adaptability is improved, but the output voltage stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback control by detecting the output voltage and adjusting the pass transistor gate voltage accordingly to maintain stable output. The system monitors output voltage deviations caused by input voltage changes and dynamically adjusts control signals to compensate, ensuring output stability across wide input voltage ranges (10V to 60V) while maintaining adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for voltage regulation provide close-tolerance voltage regulation over a wide input voltage range. A voltage regulator has a reference voltage unit, first and second transistors, and an active circuit element. The reference voltage unit is configured to provide a substantially constant voltage signal at a reference node. The first transistor is coupled to the reference node and to an input node having an input voltage. The active circuit element is coupled to the first transistor. The second transistor has a source coupled in feedback configuration to a first input of the active circuit element, a drain coupled to the input node, and a gate configured to be driven by the active circuit element to force the source to a voltage about equal to a voltage of a second input of the active circuit element independent of the input voltage.