Voltage Regulator Circuit With Threshold Control For Transient Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In portable electronics, integrating power management and audio circuitry on a single chip faces challenges due to the mismatch between the voltage range of CMOS transistors and battery voltages, requiring efficient voltage regulation to maintain constant bias voltages despite transient conditions.
Innovation Solution
A voltage regulator circuit comprising a master stage, charging follower stage, and discharging follower stage, which set first and second threshold voltages to regulate output voltage by sourcing or sinking current based on transient conditions, using current-mirrors and transistor current sources to maintain a steady-state output voltage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a large external capacitor is used to maintain constant bias voltage, then voltage stability during transient conditions is improved, but device complexity and area increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the voltage stabilization function from a large external capacitor and implements it through active circuit elements (follower stages with threshold voltage control). The charging and discharging follower stages with current mirrors replace the passive capacitor-based stabilization, eliminating the need for large external capacitors while maintaining bias voltage stability during transient conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces threshold voltage control stages as intermediary elements between the power supply and the bias voltage output. These intermediate stages (master stage, charging follower, discharging follower) act as mediators that actively regulate the bias voltage, providing stability without requiring large external capacitors.
2Loss of energy
If battery voltage is used directly to power CMOS transistors, then power conversion efficiency is improved, but transistor reliability deteriorates due to voltage breakdown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the voltage parameter through a regulated bias voltage generation circuit. The master stage and follower stages transform the battery voltage into a controlled bias voltage that maintains a safe voltage differential across CMOS transistors. This parameter transformation allows direct battery power connection while protecting transistors from breakdown through active voltage regulation.
3Area of stationary object
If digital CMOS technology is used for power management, then integration density is improved, but voltage tolerance capability worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control through the master stage and follower stages that continuously monitor and adjust the bias voltage. The threshold voltage control mechanism provides feedback regulation, ensuring the bias voltage remains within safe limits for CMOS transistors regardless of battery voltage variations. This feedback system enables digital CMOS technology to handle power management voltages safely within the integrated chip area.
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment of the invention includes a regulator circuit that regulates a substantially constant magnitude of an output voltage at an output node. The circuit includes a master stage configured to set a first threshold voltage and a second threshold voltage. The first threshold voltage can have a magnitude that is greater than the second threshold voltage. The circuit also includes a charging follower stage configured to conduct a first current from a first power rail to the output node. The first current can increase in response to a transient decrease of the output voltage relative to the first threshold voltage. The circuit further includes a discharging follower stage configured to conduct a second current from the output node to a second power rail. The second current can increase in response to a transient increase of the output voltage relative to the second threshold voltage.