Programmable Voltage Regulator Telemetry for Low-Power Current Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing voltage regulators struggle to accurately monitor processor current in low power modes due to insufficient ADC resolution, leading to reduced telemetry accuracy and potential inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A voltage regulator controller dynamically adjusts the ADC input range based on processor power data, reducing the ADC input range in low power modes to improve telemetry accuracy and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the ADC input range is fixed for high power modes, then the device can handle high current loads, but telemetry accuracy deteriorates in low power modes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the ADC input range based on the processor's operational power mode. The voltage regulator controller monitors the power mode and automatically switches between different ADC input range configurations, enabling the system to adapt its measurement characteristics to match current operational requirements rather than using a static configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the ADC input range parameter according to the processor's power mode. In low power modes, the ADC input range is reduced to improve resolution and telemetry accuracy for low current measurements, while in high power modes, the full input range is utilized to accommodate higher current loads
2Measurement precision
If the ADC input range is reduced for low power modes, then telemetry accuracy improves, but the ability to measure high current is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between different ADC input range configurations based on the processor's power mode. This allows the ADC to operate at optimal resolution for the current measurement range being monitored, improving accuracy without sacrificing the ability to measure higher currents when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage regulator controller implements a universal ADC configuration system that can handle multiple measurement ranges and power modes through programmable input range adjustment. A single ADC hardware component performs multiple functions by switching between different input range configurations, eliminating the need for separate ADCs for different power modes
3Measurement precision
If a fixed ADC configuration is used, then device complexity is reduced, but telemetry accuracy in varying power modes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage regulator controller automatically monitors the processor's power mode and self-adjusts the ADC input range configuration without requiring external intervention or complex configuration management. The system serves itself by detecting operational conditions and autonomously optimizing its measurement parameters
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the processor's power mode status to automatically adjust the ADC input range. The voltage regulator controller continuously monitors the operational state and uses this feedback information to dynamically reconfigure the ADC for optimal measurement accuracy in the current power mode
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus can include: a processor; a voltage regulator configured to provide a processor voltage and a processor current to the processor; and a voltage regulator controller that can include a current sensor comprising an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) having an ADC input range and configured to provide current data based on an ADC input voltage, and a configuration manager configured to receive processor power data and adjust the ADC input range based on the processor power data. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.