Voltage Regulator Shunt Feedback Interference Mitigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electrical circuits face interference issues due to close proximity of circuit elements, high power usage, and overlapping operating frequencies, which existing methods attempt to mitigate by increasing spacing or adding isolation, but this often results in larger circuit sizes and additional interference.

Innovation Solution

A voltage regulator is designed with high frequency and low frequency inhibiting circuitry, along with shunt feedback circuitry using two current sources and transistors to maintain a constant regulated voltage, preventing interference from digital circuitry and ensuring the voltage remains stable despite varying current draw.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If circuit elements are spaced in close proximity to reduce circuit size, then the overall circuit size is minimized, but electromagnetic interference between circuit elements increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit sizeVSAvoidelectromagnetic interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The voltage regulator is divided into separate functional blocks: high frequency inhibiting circuitry, low frequency inhibiting circuitry, and shunt feedback circuitry. Each block addresses specific frequency ranges or functions, allowing interference mitigation without increasing overall circuit footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The voltage regulator acts as an intermediary between the voltage supply and digital circuitry, filtering and regulating the voltage to prevent electromagnetic interference from propagating between circuit elements while maintaining compact integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If additional circuitry is added to electrically isolate circuit elements to reduce interference, then electromagnetic interference is reduced, but the overall circuit size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic interferenceVSAvoidcircuit size
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple isolation functions (high frequency filtering, low frequency filtering, and voltage regulation) are merged into a single integrated voltage regulator circuit, eliminating the need for separate isolation components and reducing overall circuit size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The voltage regulator performs multiple functions simultaneously: it regulates voltage, filters high frequency noise, filters low frequency noise, and provides isolation between circuit elements, replacing what would traditionally require multiple separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If high frequency energy is allowed to transmit into the voltage supply, then the voltage regulator remains simple, but electromagnetic interference affects other circuitry

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage regulator complexityVSAvoidelectromagnetic interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The voltage regulator is segmented into distinct frequency filtering stages (high frequency and low frequency) along with the shunt feedback circuitry, allowing targeted interference suppression without requiring a complete redesign of the entire regulator.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Device complexity

If low frequency energy is allowed to transmit into the voltage supply, then the voltage regulator remains simple, but electromagnetic interference affects other circuitry

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage regulator complexityVSAvoidelectromagnetic interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The voltage regulator is segmented into distinct frequency filtering stages (high frequency and low frequency) along with the shunt feedback circuitry, allowing targeted interference suppression without requiring a complete redesign of the entire regulator.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

5Device complexity

If the regulated voltage is allowed to vary with current draw, then the voltage regulator remains simple, but operational reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage regulator complexityVSAvoidoperational reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The shunt feedback circuitry continuously monitors the regulated voltage and adjusts the output accordingly to maintain a constant voltage level despite variations in current draw, ensuring stable operation and high reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP1929393B1Voltage regulator with shunt feedback
Publication Date: 2011.11.16 ST ERICSSON SA
  • EP1929393B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1929393B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1929393B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A voltage regulator configured to receive a supply voltage from a voltage supply and provide a regulated voltage to digital circuitry is provided. The voltage regulator comprises first circuitry configured to inhibit high frequency energy generated by the digital circuitry from transmitting into the voltage supply, second circuitry configured to inhibit low frequency energy generated by the digital circuitry from transmitting into the voltage supply, and third circuitry configured to maintain the regulated voltage at a substantially constant value in response to a current drawn by the digital circuitry.