Voltage Regulator Mode Switching for Power Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional voltage regulators consume constant power regardless of load current, leading to inefficiency as they cannot adapt to different operational modes, resulting in high power consumption even when the load current is low.
Innovation Solution
A voltage regulator that can switch between operation, suspend, and standby modes by using a comparator, P-type transistors, resistors, current buffers, and switches to adjust current driving capacity, enabling reduced power consumption in suspend and standby modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the voltage regulator is designed to supply large current for circuit stability, then the current driving capacity is improved, but the power consumption increases and cannot be reduced when load current is small
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage regulator dynamically switches between operation mode and standby mode based on load requirements. In operation mode, the regulator supplies large current with both switches closed for high current driving capacity. In standby mode, the regulator reduces power consumption by opening the first switch to disconnect the first voltage output unit, while maintaining circuit stability through the second voltage output unit. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction between maintaining high current driving capacity and reducing power consumption during low load conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The regulator changes its operational parameters by switching between different modes. The first switch controls the connection state of the first voltage output unit, enabling parameter changes in current driving capacity. When the first switch is closed, the regulator operates in operation mode with high current capacity. When the first switch is opened, the regulator transitions to standby mode with reduced current capacity and lower power consumption. This parameter changing mechanism allows the regulator to adapt to different load conditions and resolve the power consumption contradiction.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the voltage regulator operates in a single mode for circuit stability, then the circuit stability is improved, but the adaptability to different operational modes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage regulator is segmented into two independent voltage output units: the first voltage output unit and the second voltage output unit. Each unit can operate independently or together, allowing the regulator to provide different operational modes (operation mode with both units active, standby mode with only the second unit active). This segmentation maintains circuit stability within each mode while enabling adaptability across multiple modes, resolving the contradiction between stability and versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The second voltage output unit serves as a universal component that can operate in both operation mode (with the first voltage output unit) and standby mode (independently). This multi-functionality ensures that the regulator can adapt to different operational requirements while maintaining circuit stability through the consistent presence of the second voltage output unit. The universal design of the second unit resolves the contradiction by providing stable operation across multiple functional states.
Data Source
AI summary
A voltage regulator includes a comparator, a first voltage output unit, a second voltage output unit, a third voltage output unit, a first switch and a second switch. The voltage regulator receives an operating voltage and a reference voltage generated by a reference voltage generator, and then outputs a corresponding output voltage. The voltage regulator of the present invention can provide an operation mode, a suspend mode and a standby mode and can be switched among these modes to provide corresponding current driving capacity for respective operation states. When in the operation mode, the voltage regulator can supply a great current. When in the suspend mode, the voltage regulator consumes less power. When in the standby mode, the voltage regulator consumes even less power.