Voltage Regulator Trim Circuit Using Current Pathways
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manufacturing variations in voltage regulators can result in inconsistent output voltages, requiring trimming processes that often rely on variable resistors, which can affect the gain and are not desirable.
Innovation Solution
A voltage regulator circuit incorporating an operational amplifier (op-amp) and a voltage trim circuit that modifies the output voltage by controlling electrical current within the trim circuit, ensuring the output voltage is substantially equivalent to a reference voltage without affecting the input voltage, using a feedback pathway with current sources and sinks to trim the voltage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a variable resistor is used in the trimming process to correct manufacturing variations, then the output voltage can be adjusted, but the voltage regulator's gain is affected which is not desired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the trimming function from the main voltage regulator feedback path by placing the trim circuit at the output terminal. This separates the gain-stabilizing op-amp feedback loop from the trimming operation, allowing voltage adjustment without affecting the regulator's gain characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage regulator system is segmented into two independent functions: the main feedback loop for gain stability and the trim circuit for voltage adjustment. The trim circuit operates independently at the output, while the feedback loop maintains regulator performance without interference from trimming operations.
2Manufacturing precision
If trimming is performed to correct manufacturing variations, then output voltage consistency is improved, but additional circuit components are required which increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The trim circuit is merged with the existing output structure of the voltage regulator, utilizing the output terminal and feedback pathway. This integration approach adds trimming functionality while minimizing additional discrete components, as the trim elements are incorporated into the existing circuit topology.
Solution Approach 2:
The trim circuit uses the regulator's own output voltage and feedback mechanism to perform trimming, rather than requiring completely separate adjustment circuitry. The feedback pathway serves dual purposes: maintaining gain stability and enabling voltage trimming through the integrated trim elements.
Data Source
AI summary
A voltage regulator is disclosed. The voltage regulator includes an operational amplifier (op-amp) and a voltage trim circuit. The op-amp is operable to receive a reference voltage at a first terminal. The op-amp also includes an output terminal. The voltage trim circuit is coupled between the output terminal and a second terminal of the op-amp. The voltage trim circuit is operable to modify an output voltage to be substantially equivalent with the reference voltage. The modification is performed by selecting an electrical current propagating pathway. An IC and a method to operate the voltage regulator is also disclosed.