Voltage Regulator Transient Coupling for Fast Load Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional voltage regulators struggle to maintain output voltage stability during fast load changes due to delayed transient response and increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A voltage regulation integrated circuit (IC) incorporating a transient coupling circuit, which assists in maintaining output voltage stability by extracting AC components of the output voltage and adjusting the bias voltage, thereby hastening the transient response without increasing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional voltage regulators use OPAs and power transistors to maintain output voltage stability, then output voltage can be kept stable under normal load conditions, but the transient response is delayed and power consumption increases during fast load changes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the feedback control into two paths: a DC feedback path for steady-state voltage regulation and an AC feedback path for transient response. The AC feedback path extracts the AC component of the output voltage and feeds it back to the bias circuit, enabling independent optimization of transient response without affecting DC stability. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing each path to specialize in its respective function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an AC feedback path as an intermediary mechanism that extracts AC components from the output voltage and transmits them to the bias circuit. This intermediary path enables the system to respond to transient load changes without requiring the main OPA to handle the entire transient response, thereby reducing the transient response time while maintaining DC stability.
2Reliability
If conventional voltage regulators use OPAs and power transistors to maintain output voltage stability, then output voltage can be kept stable under normal load conditions, but power consumption increases during fast load changes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the feedback control into DC and AC paths, allowing the AC feedback path to handle transient load changes separately. This segmentation enables the system to respond to transient conditions without requiring increased power consumption from the main OPA, as the AC path provides additional transient support with minimal power overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The AC feedback path utilizes the inherent AC components present in the output voltage during transient conditions and feeds them back to the bias circuit for automatic adjustment. This self-service mechanism allows the system to compensate for transient load changes using the signal already present in the output, eliminating the need for additional power-consuming correction circuits.
3Speed
If the load changes quickly within microsecond range, then the voltage regulator must respond rapidly to maintain stability, but the OPAs cannot correct the output voltage in time and transient response is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the feedback control into DC and AC paths, with the AC path specifically designed to handle fast transient changes. The AC feedback path extracts high-frequency AC components and feeds them back to the bias circuit, enabling the system to respond to microsecond-range load changes while the DC path maintains overall voltage stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The AC feedback path performs preliminary action by detecting AC components of output voltage changes and immediately feeding them back to the bias circuit for preemptive correction. This preliminary response occurs before the main OPA completes its full transient response, allowing the system to begin correcting voltage deviations earlier and maintain stability during fast load changes.
Data Source
AI summary
A voltage regulation integrated circuit (IC) includes a first transistor, a feedback circuit, a bias circuit, an amplifier circuit, and a transient coupling circuit. The first transistor is configured to generate an output voltage according to an input voltage and a control voltage. The feedback circuit is configured to generate a feedback voltage according to the output voltage. The output voltage includes an AC component. The bias circuit is configured to generate a first bias voltage. The amplifier circuit is configured to generate the control voltage according to the first bias voltage and the feedback voltage. The transient coupling circuit is configured to generate a coupling voltage according to the AC component and to assist the change of the first bias voltage according to the coupling voltage, so that the output voltage is maintained at a voltage level.