Voltage Regulator Phase-Offset Slaves Reduce Current Ripple

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional voltage regulators face challenges in handling large currents and reacting quickly to load changes, particularly in microprocessor applications, where they need to operate at low voltages and high currents, and require a small form factor to minimize parasitic capacitance and resistance, while also maintaining high efficiency and having a standby mode for low power consumption.

Innovation Solution

A voltage regulator system comprising a master controller and multiple slaves, where each slave includes a switching circuit and internal controller with phase-locked loop functionality, allowing for phase-offsetting of switching signals to reduce current ripple and enable efficient operation across varying loads, with a communication ring for coordinated control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a voltage regulator is placed close to the microprocessor to minimize parasitic capacitance and resistance, then current losses are reduced, but the voltage regulator must be small in size

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurrent lossesVSAvoidvoltage regulator size

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The voltage regulator is divided into multiple independent slave modules (first slave, second slave, etc.), each capable of operating autonomously. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high current handling capability through parallel operation while keeping each individual module compact, thus resolving the contradiction between minimizing current losses and maintaining small size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Power

If the voltage regulator operates at high currents to meet microprocessor demands, then power delivery is sufficient, but thermal overload occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurrent handling capabilityVSAvoidthermal overload

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses multiple slave modules that share the total current load. Each slave operates at a lower individual current level, distributing the thermal burden across multiple components. This segmentation approach enables high total power delivery while preventing any single component from experiencing thermal overload.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The slave modules operate in alternating phases with phase-offset switching signals. This periodic operation allows inductive energy transfer to occur in staggered cycles, distributing thermal stress over time and preventing concentrated heat generation that would lead to thermal overload.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Speed

If the voltage regulator responds quickly to load changes to meet nanosecond requirements, then transient response is fast, but switching losses increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransient response timeVSAvoidswitching losses

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs periodic switching operation with phase-offset signals for different slaves. This allows the system to achieve fast transient response through coordinated switching while reducing individual switching losses by distributing the switching events across multiple phases and components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The phase-locked loops in each slave are pre-configured with specific phase offsets, allowing the system to rapidly respond to load changes without requiring complex real-time coordination. This preliminary configuration enables fast response while maintaining efficient switching operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Power

If multiple slaves are used to handle large currents, then current handling capability increases, but control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurrent handling capabilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

All slave modules use identical circuitry and control logic, with each slave being a universal, interchangeable unit. The phase-locked loop and switching control are standardized across all slaves, simplifying the control system design despite the increased number of components. This universality allows complex multi-slave operation without proportionally increasing control complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback mechanisms where each slave's phase-locked loop automatically adjusts its operation based on the common switching signal and load conditions. This feedback approach enables coordinated control of multiple slaves without requiring complex centralized control logic, thus managing complexity while maintaining high current handling capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS7616463B2Voltage regulator with common s-phase signals and phase lock loops

Publication Date: 2009.11.10 VOLTERRA SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION

AI summary

A voltage regulator coupled to an unregulated DC input voltage source by an input terminal, and to a load by an output terminal is disclosed. The voltage regulator converts an input voltage at the input terminal to an output voltage at the output terminal. The voltage regulator includes a master controller and one or more slaves, and each slave includes a switching circuit which serves as a power switch for alternately coupling and decoupling the input terminal to an intermediate terminal, and an internal controller which sends a same control signal to each slave. Each internal controller includes a phase-locked loop which offsets the control signal so that each slave is phase-offset relative to the other slaves.