Voltage Regulator Peak Load Sensing for Memory Read Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Voltage regulators face challenges in maintaining a stable output voltage when subjected to rapid changes in load current, leading to voltage ripple that interferes with accurate sensing of non-volatile storage elements, requiring either delayed sensing or the addition of a power-consuming amplifier to mitigate this issue.
Innovation Solution
A voltage regulation circuit that includes a sensing circuit to determine the peak magnitude of the load current and generates a compensation current proportional to it, which is provided during the sensing phase to stabilize the output voltage, eliminating the need for a power-consuming amplifier.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the sensing of memory elements is delayed until voltage ripple settles, then voltage stability is improved, but sensing speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-charging the output node with a large current before the sensing phase. This pre-charging action ensures that when sensing begins, the voltage ripple has already settled, allowing both fast sensing and voltage stability. The pre-charge current is applied in advance to prepare the circuit state for accurate sensing.
2Stability of the object's composition
If an amplifier is added to reduce voltage ripple, then output voltage stability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic action by applying a large pre-charging current only during the pre-charge phase before sensing, rather than continuously. This pulsed current application reduces voltage ripple effectively during the critical sensing period while minimizing overall power consumption, as the high current is not maintained continuously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by using a pre-charge current that counteracts the upcoming load current change before it occurs. This preemptive current application prevents voltage ripple from developing in the first place, eliminating the need for continuous amplifier-based ripple correction and reducing power consumption.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a large pre-charging current is applied, then voltage ripple is reduced, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by applying the large pre-charging current in a time-limited manner only during the pre-charge phase, which occurs before the sensing operation. This temporal confinement of high current application achieves effective voltage ripple reduction during sensing while limiting overall power consumption to only the necessary duration.
Data Source
AI summary
A voltage regulator is disclosed. The voltage regulator has a voltage generation circuit that outputs a regulated voltage and a load current. The voltage regulation circuit has a sensing circuit that senses a peak magnitude of the load current and stores a peak signal that is based on the peak load current magnitude. The sensing circuit receives at least one signal that is input to the voltage regulation circuit and senses the peak magnitude of the load current. The voltage regulation circuit has a current generation circuit that generates a compensation current that has a magnitude that is proportional to the peak load current magnitude. The current generation circuit generates the compensation current based on the peak signal. The compensation current is provided during a time interval that is defined by at least one signal that is input to the voltage regulation circuit.