Voltage Regulator with Dynamic Current Drive and Pulse Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional voltage regulators consume a fixed quiescent current regardless of load conditions, leading to inefficient power usage and limited current driving capability, which cannot adapt to varying load demands.
Innovation Solution
A voltage regulator design incorporating a pulse voltage generating unit, a switch unit, and a power output unit that dynamically adjusts current driving capability based on output current detection, using an intermittent signal to reduce quiescent current consumption and maintain continuous voltage levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a linear regulator is used to implement the voltage regulating circuit, then the voltage regulation accuracy is maintained, but the quiescent current consumption is fixed and cannot be reduced when load demand decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic pulse-width modulation (PWM) to control the power switch, where the duty cycle is adjusted according to the error between reference and feedback voltages. This periodic switching action allows the regulator to maintain voltage accuracy while reducing average current consumption compared to continuous linear regulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control by continuously adjusting the duty cycle of the PWM signal based on real-time feedback from the output voltage. This dynamic adjustment enables the regulator to adapt its current consumption to actual load conditions, reducing quiescent current when load demand decreases while maintaining voltage regulation accuracy.
2Reliability
If the input voltage is increased to prevent damaging the power amplifier, then the power amplifier is protected, but the current driving capability is limited and cannot satisfy varying load demands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic PWM duty cycle adjustment to optimize the balance between protecting the power amplifier and providing sufficient current driving capability. By controlling the switch timing and duration, the system can deliver high current when needed while preventing overcurrent damage, adapting to varying load demands without requiring excessive input voltage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the output voltage is continuously monitored and compared with a reference voltage. The error signal controls the PWM duty cycle, enabling the system to automatically adjust current delivery to match load requirements while maintaining safe operating limits for the power amplifier.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the quiescent current is reduced to save power, then power consumption is decreased, but the ability to drive external loads with varying current demands is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic PWM switching to deliver power in controlled pulses rather than continuous flow. This allows the regulator to maintain very low quiescent current between pulses while still providing sufficient peak current to drive external loads when required, achieving both low power consumption and adequate load driving capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control where the PWM duty cycle is continuously adjusted based on load conditions. When load demand is low, the duty cycle is reduced to minimize current consumption; when load demand increases, the duty cycle increases to provide sufficient driving capability, thus adapting to varying requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A voltage regulator with a low quiescent current is provided. The voltage regulator includes a pulse voltage generating unit, a first switch unit, a regulating unit and a power output unit. The pulse voltage generating unit receives an input voltage to provide an intermittent signal with a predetermined period, and output a pulse voltage according to the intermittent signal. The first switch unit is turned on according to the intermittent signal. The regulating unit converts the pulse voltage into a continuous voltage. The power output unit receives the continuous voltage to output a voltage power through a power output terminal. And, the power output unit detects an output current of the power output terminal to adjust current drive capability of the power output unit dynamically. Thus, the pulse voltage generating unit consumes power while the intermittent signal is enabled, so as to achieve the power saving effect.