Voltage Regulator Feedback for Accurate Load Voltage Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional voltage regulators fail to accurately detect the operating voltage provided to a load device, leading to reduced efficiency in voltage regulation.
Innovation Solution
A voltage regulator is designed with an error amplifier circuit that accurately detects the operating voltage by comparing reference voltage levels with voltage levels from opposite ends of a target circuit, generating a gate voltage to control the output voltage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional voltage regulator design is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of operating voltage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The error amplifier circuit is segmented into multiple functional blocks: a first differential amplifier receiving reference voltages, a second differential amplifier receiving target circuit voltages, and a subtraction stage. This segmentation allows each block to perform a specific function, improving measurement precision while keeping individual blocks relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate voltage nodes (first intermediate voltage from reference, second intermediate voltage from target circuit) that serve as mediators in the voltage comparison process. These intermediates enable precise differential amplification at each stage, improving overall measurement accuracy without requiring a single complex amplifier.
2Productivity
If conventional voltage regulation is used, then device complexity is low, but productivity in terms of regulation efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The error amplifier circuit implements a feedback mechanism where the detected operating voltage of the target circuit is continuously compared with reference voltages, and the gate voltage of the pass transistor is adjusted based on the error signal. This closed-loop feedback improves regulation efficiency by maintaining more accurate voltage control.
Solution Approach 2:
The regulator uses dynamic voltage adjustment through the gate voltage control of the pass transistor, allowing the output voltage to adapt in real-time to changes in load conditions or input voltage. This dynamic response improves regulation efficiency compared to static regulation methods.
Data Source
AI summary
A voltage regulator includes a pass transistor generating an output voltage in response to a gate voltage, and an error amplifier circuit outputting the gate voltage. The error amplifier circuit includes a first input terminal receiving a first reference voltage level from a reference voltage generator, a second input terminal receiving a second reference voltage level from the reference voltage generator, a third input terminal receiving a first voltage level of a first end of a target circuit, a fourth input terminal receiving a second voltage level of a second end of the target circuit, and an output terminal that outputs the gate voltage generated based on the first reference voltage level, the second reference voltage level, the first voltage level, and the second voltage level. A potential difference of the first voltage level and the second voltage level is an operating voltage of the target circuit.