Voltage Regulator Circuit With Dynamic Supply Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Voltage regulator circuits face increased power dissipation and reduced battery-operating time due to a large difference between supply voltage and output voltage, especially in mobile devices, necessitating efficient switching between different supply voltages while minimizing chip area consumption.
Innovation Solution
A voltage regulator circuit with multiple output stages operating at different supply voltages, utilizing an error amplifier to generate a control signal for regulating output voltage, and a switch-over unit to efficiently switch between these stages based on a select signal, reducing power dissipation by adjusting supply voltage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a large difference between supply voltage and output voltage is maintained, then voltage regulation is achieved, but power dissipation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multiple output stages that can dynamically switch between different supply voltages based on operational requirements. The switch-over unit enables the system to adaptively change the supply voltage level, transitioning from a static single-voltage design to a dynamic multi-voltage architecture that optimizes power dissipation while maintaining voltage regulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the supply voltage parameter by providing multiple output stages operating at different supply voltages. The switch-over unit selectively connects appropriate output stages based on the required voltage difference, thereby changing the operational parameters to minimize power dissipation while ensuring proper voltage regulation.
2Loss of energy
If multiple output stages with different supply voltages are implemented, then power dissipation is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage regulator circuit is segmented into multiple output stages, each capable of operating at different supply voltages. This segmentation allows the system to divide the voltage regulation function across separate modules, with each stage handling specific voltage ranges, thereby reducing overall power dissipation while managing complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The switch-over unit is configured to proactively switch between output stages before excessive power dissipation occurs. By monitoring operational conditions and preemptively selecting the appropriate output stage, the system prevents energy loss without requiring complex real-time control mechanisms during voltage transitions.
3Duration of action of moving object
If switching between different supply voltages is implemented, then battery-operating time is extended, but chip area consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple output stages are merged into a single integrated voltage regulator circuit, sharing common control structures and switch-over mechanisms. This consolidation allows the system to provide multi-voltage operation for extended battery life while minimizing chip area by avoiding redundant separate circuits for each voltage level.
Solution Approach 2:
The switch-over unit is designed as a universal control mechanism that can selectively connect any appropriate output stage based on operational requirements. This multi-functional approach allows a single control structure to manage multiple voltage levels, extending battery operating time without proportionally increasing chip area with separate control circuits for each voltage.
Data Source
AI summary
A voltage regulator circuit for providing a regulated output voltage is provided. The voltage regulator circuit includes an error amplifier configured to provide a control signal based on at least a portion of a fed-back output voltage and a reference voltage. A first output stage is configured to operate at a first supply voltage and provide the regulated output voltage based on the control signal. At least one second output stage configured to operate at a second supply voltage different from the first supply voltage and provide the regulated output voltage based on the control signal. A switch-over unit is configured to switch over the control signal between the first output stage and the second output stage.