Voltage regulation system

• US 20050168271A1
• Filed: 01/28/2005
• Published: 08/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Polaris Innovations Limited (Wi-LAN Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
• Inventors: Brox, Martin
• Granted Patent: US 7,312,652 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 327/540
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 1/465 Internal voltage generators for integrated circuits, e.g. step down generators

Abstract

The invention relates to a voltage regulation process, as well as a voltage regulation system (1), with which a first voltage (VDD) present at an input (17) of the voltage regulation system (1) is converted into a second, essentially constant voltage (VINT), which can be tapped at an output (19c) of the voltage regulation system (1), wherein the voltage regulation system (1) is provided with an additional device (34, 35, 36) for assessing the efficiency of components to be connected to the second voltage (VINT). If it is determined that the efficiency of the components to be connected to the second voltage (VINT) falls below a critical limit (IDSATnom) indicating the assessed efficiency, the second voltage (VINT) can be increased.

Claims

1. A voltage regulation system (1), with which a first voltage (VDD) present at an input (17) of the voltage regulation system (1) is converted into a second, essentially constant voltage (VINT), which can be tapped at an output (19c) of the voltage regulation system (1),

characterized in that

a device (34, 35, 36) is additionally provided in the voltage regulation system (1) for assessing the efficiency of components to be connected to the second voltage (VINT).

2. A voltage regulation system (1) according to claim 1, comprising in addition a device (36, 33) for raising the second voltage (VINT), when it is detected that the efficiency of the components to be connected to the second voltage (VINT) falls below a critical limit (IDSATnom) indicating the assessed efficiency.

3. A voltage regulation system (1) according to claim 1, with a voltage generating device (12, 13) for generating an essentially constant voltage (VBGR, VREF1) from the first voltage (VDD), or from another voltage derived from it.

4. A voltage regulation system (1) according to claim 3, in which a voltage (VREF2) is generated by the voltage raising device (36, 33), which voltage is higher than the constant voltage (VBGR, VREF1) generated by the voltage generating device (12, 13), when it is detected that the efficiency of the components to be connected to the second voltage age (VINT) falls below the critical limit (IDSATnom) indicating the assessed efficiency.

5. A voltage regulation system (1) according to claim 3, in which the voltage (VBGR) generated by the voltage generating device (12) or a voltage (VREF1) derived from it, and the voltage generated by the voltage raising device (36, 33), or a voltage (VREF2) derived from it, are used to control a voltage regulation circuit device (14), in particular as a reference voltage (VREF1, VREF2) for the voltage regulation circuit device (14).

6. A voltage regulation system (1) according to claim 3, in which a facility (135) is additionally provided for activating and/or deactivating the device (34, 35, 36) for assessing the efficiency, and/or the voltage raising device (36, 33).

7. A voltage regulation system (1) according to claim 6, in which—

in an activated state of the device (34, 35, 36) for assessing the efficiency, and/or of the voltage raising device (36, 33)—

the level of the reference voltage (VREF1, VREF2) used for the voltage regulation circuit device (14) are determined by whichever of the voltages (VBGR) generated by the voltage generating device (12, 13) and the voltage raising device (36, 33), or the voltages (VREF1, VREF2) derived from them, are carrying the higher voltage.

8. A voltage regulation process, whereby a first voltage (VDD) is converted into a second, essentially constant voltage (VINT), in particular into a second voltage (VINT), which carries a lower voltage level than the first voltage (VDD),

characterized in that

the process comprises the additional step:

assessing the efficiency of components to be connected to the second voltage (VINT).

9. A process according to claim 8, which comprises the additional step:

raising the second voltage (VINT) when it has been assessed that the efficiency of the components to be connected to the second voltage (VINT) falls below a critical limit (IDSATnom) indicating the assessed efficiency.