Offset-Controlled Voltage Regulator for Supply Tracking and Noise Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional voltage regulators, such as Low Drop Out (LDO) voltage regulators, fail to follow the supply voltage of the block generating the input signal, leading to threshold mismatch due to supply mismatch, which affects the operational effectiveness and safety of electronic circuits.
Innovation Solution
A voltage regulator circuit comprising an input device, a current mirror, one or more offset control circuits, an output device, and a positive feedback loop, which includes matched transistors and programmable current sources to balance voltage levels and regulate supply noise, thereby compensating for input supply and load current variations without stability issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional LDO voltage regulators are used to maintain voltage within acceptable limits, then voltage stability is improved, but the ability to follow supply voltage changes is lost, causing threshold mismatch
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the output voltage is sampled and compared with a reference voltage. The difference signal is amplified and used to control the pass transistor, enabling the regulator to dynamically adjust and follow supply voltage changes while maintaining stability. This closed-loop feedback system resolves the contradiction by providing both voltage stability and adaptability to supply variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic compensation techniques where the regulator circuit includes capacitors and resistors that adjust the response characteristics based on operating conditions. The compensation network dynamically adjusts the feedback signal to maintain stability across varying supply voltages and load conditions, enabling the system to adapt while preserving voltage regulation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If voltage regulation is implemented to isolate noise between circuit blocks, then noise coupling is reduced, but threshold mismatch due to supply mismatch occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary compensation circuit that senses the supply voltage variations and generates compensating signals. This intermediary circuit acts as a mediator between the supply voltage and the regulated output, canceling out the threshold mismatch effects while maintaining noise isolation. The compensation signal adjusts the reference voltage or feedback signal to counteract supply-induced threshold variations.
3Loss of energy
If the output voltage is kept close to the input voltage to improve power efficiency, then energy loss is reduced, but voltage regulation capability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the pass transistor's operating point to maintain efficient operation. By dynamically adjusting the transistor's conduction state based on load requirements and supply voltage, the circuit maintains low voltage drop (high efficiency) while preserving regulation capability through the feedback mechanism that adjusts the control signal accordingly.
Data Source
AI summary
A voltage regulator can include an input device, a current mirror, one or more offset control circuits, an output device, and a positive feedback loop. The input device can be configured to receive a source voltage from a voltage source. The current mirror can be coupled to the input device and configured to provide load current regulation within the voltage regulator. The one or more offset control circuits can be configured to balance voltage levels within the voltage regulator. The output device can include at least a first transistor that is matched to a second transistor within the voltage regulator such that the matching is configured to provide supply regulation within the voltage regulator. The positive feedback loop can be formed at least in part by the current mirror, the first transistor and the second transistor.