TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This application relates to the field of electronic technologies, and in particular,
to a transient performance improvement circuit used for an LDO, a chip system, and
a device.
BACKGROUND
[0002] With rapid development of an internet of things (IOT) system, there is an increasing
quantity of application scenarios of IOT chips such as wearable and implantable IOT
chips. In the IOT system, some highly sensitive subsystems such as a radio frequency
(RF) transceiver, a digital-to-analog converter, an analog-to-digital converter, a
high-speed digital circuit, and a phase-locked loop (PLL) have a high transient requirement
on a power supply. Therefore, these subsystems are usually powered by some low dropout
regulators (LDO) with high transient performance.
[0003] In a conventional technology, an LDO with a large on-chip capacitor or an LDO with
an off-chip capacitor (a capacitance of the off-chip capacitor is usually at a µF
level) is usually used to supply power to these subsystems. The on-chip capacitor
or off-chip capacitor herein can reduce voltage ripples caused by a load transient,
ensuring a transient response of the LDO. However, if the LDO with an on-chip capacitor
is used, the on-chip capacitor occupies a large chip area, and if the LDO with an
off-chip capacitor is used, the off-chip capacitor occupies an additional PCB area.
SUMMARY
[0004] This application provides a transient performance improvement circuit used for an
LDO, a chip system, and a device, to reduce a chip area occupied by a capacitor while
improving a transient performance of the LDO.
[0005] To achieve the foregoing objectives, the following technical solutions are used in
embodiments of this application.
[0006] According to a first aspect, a transient performance improvement circuit used for
a low dropout regulator LDO is provided. The circuit includes an LDO and at least
one detection circuit coupled to the LDO. The LDO is configured to output a first
voltage. The first voltage may be a voltage used to supply power to various subsystems
or systems. The first voltage may also be referred to as an output voltage of the
LDO. Each of the at least one detection circuit includes a first capacitor, an amplifier,
and a second capacitor. The first capacitor is configured to generate a coupling voltage
based on a change in the first voltage and couple the coupling voltage to the amplifier.
The first capacitor couples the first voltage to the amplifier in an alternating current
coupling (AC coupling) manner. The amplifier is configured to amplify the coupling
voltage to obtain a second voltage. For example, the amplifier may be a non-inverting
amplifier or an inverting amplifier. The second capacitor is configured to couple
the second voltage to the LDO. That is, the second capacitor couples the second voltage
to the LDO in the alternating current coupling manner to form negative feedback. The
second voltage is used to regulate the first voltage to maintain constancy of the
first voltage.
[0007] In the technical solution, the first voltage output by the LDO is coupled to the
amplifier by the first capacitor, and is amplified by the amplifier. Therefore, while
a transient performance of the LDO is improved, the small first capacitor can be used
to implement coupling of the first voltage, reducing a chip area occupied by the first
capacitor. In addition, the second voltage output by the amplifier is coupled to the
LDO by the second capacitor, so that the second voltage does not act directly on an
inherent loop of the LDO, avoiding destroying a direct current characteristic of the
LDO, and ensuring stability of the loop of the LDO. Moreover, the amplifier is coupled
to the LDO by using the first capacitor and the second capacitor. In this way, a bias
of the amplifier can be separated from a direct current component of the first voltage,
effectively reducing difficulty and complexity of biasing in the amplifier. That is,
requirements such as offset and matching do not need to be considered during design
of the amplifier, further reducing an area of a chip and implementing low power consumption
and high energy efficiency.
[0008] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the amplifier includes a first
transistor, a second transistor, a third transistor, and a first resistor. One electrode
of the first transistor, one electrode of the second transistor, and one terminal
of the first resistor are coupled and serve as an output terminal of the amplifier.
A control terminal of the first transistor, a control terminal of the second transistor,
and the other terminal of the first resistor are coupled and serve as an input terminal
of the amplifier. The other electrode of the second transistor and one electrode of
the third transistor are coupled. One of the other electrode of the first transistor
and the other electrode of the third transistor is coupled to a power terminal, and
the other is coupled to a ground terminal. A control terminal of the third transistor
is coupled to a bias voltage terminal. Optionally, the first transistor is an NMOS
transistor, and the second transistor and the third transistor are both PMOS transistors.
The one electrode is a drain, the other electrode is a source, and the control terminal
is a gate. In the foregoing possible implementation, the amplifier is a phase inverter
based amplifier. A transimpedance of the amplifier is a sum of a transimpedance of
the first transistor and a transimpedance of the second transistor. Under same power
consumption, the transimpedance of the amplifier is twice that of a common amplifier,
effectively improving energy efficiency. The third transistor is configured to supply
a bias current to the amplifier, to prevent power consumption of the amplifier from
changing with a voltage at the power terminal and a process corner. In addition, the
amplifier is coupled to the LDO by using the first capacitor and the second capacitor.
This allows a direct current operating point of the amplifier to be separately biased
by using only the first resistor, effectively reducing a matching requirement of the
amplifier.
[0009] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the at least one detection circuit
includes a first detection circuit. The first detection circuit further includes a
compensation circuit coupled between the second capacitor and the LDO. The compensation
circuit is configured to regulate the first voltage based on the second voltage to
maintain constancy of the first voltage. In the foregoing possible implementation,
by using the compensation circuit, the first voltage output by the LDO can be quickly
and effectively compensated for based on the second voltage, improving transient performance
of the LDO.
[0010] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the compensation circuit includes
a fourth transistor, a fifth transistor, a sixth transistor, a second resistor, and
a third resistor. One electrode of the fourth transistor, one terminal of the third
resistor, and one electrode of the sixth transistor are coupled to a first node. The
other electrode of the fourth transistor, a control terminal of the fifth transistor,
and one terminal of the second resistor are coupled and serve as an input terminal
of the compensation circuit. One electrode of the fifth transistor and the other terminal
of the second resistor are coupled to a second node. The other electrode of the fifth
transistor, a control terminal of the sixth transistor, and the other terminal of
the third resistor are coupled. The other electrode of the sixth transistor serves
as an output terminal of the compensation circuit. One of the first node and the second
node is coupled to the power terminal, and the other is coupled to the ground terminal.
Optionally, the fifth transistor is an NMOS transistor, and the fourth transistor
and the sixth transistor are both PMOS transistors. Alternatively, the fifth transistor
is a PMOS transistor, and the fourth transistor and the sixth transistor are both
NMOS transistors. The one electrode is a drain, the other electrode is a source, and
the control terminal is a gate. In the foregoing possible implementation, the provided
compensation circuit is simple and effective, further reducing the area of the chip
while improving transient performance of the LDO.
[0011] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the LDO has an output terminal,
and the output terminal of the compensation circuit and the output terminal of the
LDO are coupled. In the foregoing possible implementation, the compensation circuit
provides feedback to the output terminal of the LDO to compensate for the first voltage
output by the LDO, improving transient performance of the LDO.
[0012] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the compensation circuit includes
a fourth transistor, a fifth transistor, and a second resistor. One electrode of the
fourth transistor is coupled to a first node. The other electrode of the fourth transistor,
a control terminal of the fifth transistor, and one terminal of the second resistor
are coupled and serve as an input terminal of the compensation circuit. One electrode
of the fifth transistor and the other terminal of the second resistor are coupled
to a second node. The other electrode of the fifth transistor serves as an output
terminal of the compensation circuit. One of the first node and the second node is
coupled to the power terminal, and the other is coupled to the ground terminal. Optionally,
the fourth transistor is a PMOS transistor, and the fifth transistor is an NMOS transistor.
The one electrode is a drain, the other electrode is a source, and the control terminal
is a gate. In the foregoing possible implementation, the provided compensation circuit
is simple and effective, further reducing the area of the chip while improving transient
performance of the LDO.
[0013] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the LDO includes an operational
amplifier, a voltage regulating transistor, and a sampling circuit. An output terminal
of the operational amplifier and a control terminal of the voltage regulating transistor
are coupled. One electrode of the voltage regulating transistor is coupled to the
power terminal. The other electrode of the voltage regulating transistor and an input
terminal of the sampling circuit are coupled and serve as an output terminal of the
LDO. An output terminal of the sampling circuit and a non-inverting input terminal
of the operational amplifier are coupled. An inverting input terminal of the operational
amplifier is configured to receive a reference voltage. The output terminal of the
compensation circuit and the control terminal of the voltage regulating transistor
are coupled. In the foregoing possible implementation, the compensation circuit provides
feedback to the control terminal of the voltage regulating transistor to compensate
for the first voltage output by the LDO, improving transient performance of the LDO.
[0014] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the LDO includes a seventh transistor,
an eighth transistor, a ninth transistor, a tenth transistor, an eleventh transistor,
and a fourth resistor. One electrode of the seventh transistor and one electrode of
the eighth transistor are both coupled to the power terminal. The other electrode
of the seventh transistor and one electrode of the ninth transistor are coupled and
serve as the output terminal of the LDO. The other electrode of the eighth transistor,
one electrode of the tenth transistor, and a control terminal of the seventh transistor
are coupled. The other electrode of the ninth transistor, the other electrode of the
tenth transistor, and one electrode of the eleventh transistor are coupled. The other
electrode of the eleventh transistor is coupled to the ground terminal. A control
terminal of the eleventh transistor and one terminal of the fourth resistor are coupled.
The other terminal of the fourth resistor is connected to a bias voltage terminal.
Optionally, the seventh transistor, the eighth transistor, and the ninth transistor
are all PMOS transistors, and the tenth transistor and the eleventh transistor are
both NMOS transistors. The one electrodes of the seventh transistor to the ninth transistor
are sources, and the other electrodes of the seventh transistor to the ninth transistor
are drains. The one electrodes of the tenth transistor and the eleventh transistor
are drains, and the other electrodes of the tenth transistor and the eleventh transistor
are sources. The control terminals are gates. In the foregoing possible implementation,
an FVF LDO is provided. By using at least one detection circuit coupled to the FVF
LDO, a chip area occupied by a capacitor can be reduced while a transient performance
of the LDO is improved.
[0015] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the at least one detection circuit
further includes a second detection circuit. A second capacitor in the second detection
circuit is coupled between an output terminal of an amplifier and a control terminal
of the eighth transistor. In the foregoing possible implementation, the detection
circuit provides feedback to the control terminal of the eighth transistor to compensate
for the first voltage output by the LDO, improving transient performance of the LDO.
[0016] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the at least one detection circuit
further includes a third detection circuit, and a second capacitor in the third detection
circuit is coupled between an output terminal of an amplifier and a control terminal
of the tenth transistor. In the foregoing possible implementation, the detection circuit
provides feedback to the control terminal of the tenth transistor to compensate for
the first voltage output by the LDO, improving transient performance of the LDO.
[0017] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the at least one detection circuit
further includes a fourth detection circuit, and a second capacitor in the fourth
detection circuit is coupled between an output terminal of an amplifier and the control
terminal of the eleventh transistor. In the foregoing possible implementation, the
detection circuit provides feedback to the control terminal of the eleventh transistor
to compensate for the first voltage output by the LDO, improving transient performance
of the LDO.
[0018] According to a second aspect, a chip system is provided. The chip system includes
a load circuit and the transient performance improvement circuit used for a low dropout
regulator LDO as provided in any one of the first aspect or the possible implementations
of the first aspect. The transient performance improvement circuit includes an LDO
and at least one detection circuit coupled to the LDO. The LDO is configured to supply
power to the load circuit. The at least one detection circuit is configured to improve
a transient performance of the LDO.
[0019] According to a third aspect, a device is provided. The device includes a load circuit
and a circuit board. The circuit board includes the transient performance improvement
circuit used for a low dropout regulator LDO as provided in any one of the first aspect
or the possible implementations of the first aspect. The transient performance improvement
circuit includes an LDO and at least one detection circuit coupled to the LDO. The
LDO is configured to supply power to the load circuit. The at least one detection
circuit is configured to improve a transient performance of the LDO.
[0020] It can be understood that any chip system and device provided above include the transient
performance improvement circuit used for an LDO provided above. Therefore, for beneficial
effects that can be achieved by the chip system and device, refer to beneficial effects
of the transient performance improvement circuit used for an LDO provided above. Details
are not described herein again.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0021]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a structure of an LDO according to an embodiment
of this application;
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a transient performance improvement
circuit used for an LDO according to an embodiment of this application;
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a structure of an amplifier according to an embodiment
of this application;
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a structure of another transient performance improvement
circuit used for an LDO according to an embodiment of this application;
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a structure of still another transient performance
improvement circuit used for an LDO according to an embodiment of this application;
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a structure of an operational amplifier according
to an embodiment of this application;
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a structure of an FVF LDO according to an embodiment
of this application;
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a structure of another transient performance improvement
circuit used for an LDO according to an embodiment of this application;
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a structure of still another transient performance
improvement circuit used for an LDO according to an embodiment of this application;
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a structure of another transient performance improvement
circuit used for an LDO according to an embodiment of this application; and
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a structure of still another transient performance
improvement circuit used for an LDO according to an embodiment of this application.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0022] The following describes production and use of embodiments in detail. However, it
should be understood that many applicable invention concepts provided in this application
may be implemented in a plurality of specific environments. The described specific
embodiments describe only specific manners in which this specification and this technology
are implemented are used, and are not intended to limit a scope of this application.
[0023] Unless otherwise defined, all scientific and technological terms used in this specification
have same meanings as those commonly known to a person of ordinary skill in the art.
[0024] Circuits or other components may be described or referred to as "configured to" perform
one or more tasks. In this case, "configured to" is used to imply a structure by indicating
that a circuit/component includes a structure (for example, a circuit system) that
performs one or more tasks during operation. Therefore, even when a specified circuit/component
is currently inoperable (for example, not turned on), the circuit/component may also
be referred to as being configured to perform the task. The circuit/component used
with the phrase "configured to" includes hardware, for example, a circuit performing
an operation.
[0025] The following describes technical solutions in embodiments of this application with
reference to the accompanying drawings in embodiments of this application. In this
application, "at least one" means one or more, and "a plurality of" means two or more.
"And/or" describes an association relationship between associated objects, and represents
that three relationships may exist. For example, A and/or B may represent the following
cases: Only A exists, both A and B exist, and only B exists, where A and B may be
singular or plural. The character "/" usually indicates an "or" relationship between
associated objects. "At least one of the following items (pieces)" or a similar expression
thereof refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of singular
items (pieces) or plural items (pieces). For example, at least one of a, b, or c may
represent a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b, and c, where each of a, b,
or c may represent a single item or a plurality of items. In addition, in embodiments
of this application, words such as "first" and "second" do not limit a quantity and
an order.
[0026] It should be noted that, in embodiments of this application, the term such as "example"
or "for example" is used to represent giving an example, an illustration, or descriptions.
Any embodiment or design described as an "example" or "for example" in embodiments
of this application should not be explained as being more preferred or having more
advantages than another embodiment or design. Exactly, use of the word "example",
"for example", or the like is intended to present a related concept in a specific
manner.
[0027] In addition, a transistor in embodiments of this application may be a metal oxide
semiconductor (MOS) field-effect transistor (which may be referred to as a MOS transistor
for short). In embodiments of this application, a control terminal of a transistor
may be a gate of the transistor. In a possible embodiment, one electrode of the transistor
may be a source, and the other electrode of the transistor may be a drain. In another
possible embodiment, one electrode of the transistor may be a drain, and the other
electrode of the transistor may be a source.
[0028] The technical solutions in this application may be applied to various subsystems
or systems powered by a low dropout regulator (LDO). For example, the technical solutions
in this application may be applied to a radio frequency (RF) transceiver, a digital-to-analog
converter (DAC), an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a high-speed digital circuit
(for example, a system-on-a-chip SoC), a phase-locked loop (PLL), and the like that
are powered by an LDO.
[0029] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a circuit of a general-purpose LDO according to
an embodiment of this application. The LDO may include an operational amplifier A0,
a voltage regulating transistor M0, a sampling circuit, and a load capacitor C0. The
sampling circuit may include a resistor Ra and a resistor Rb. For example, the voltage
regulating transistor M0 is a PMOS transistor. An output terminal of the operational
amplifier A0 and a control terminal (that is, a gate of the PMOS transistor) of the
voltage regulating transistor M0 are coupled. One electrode (that is, a source of
the PMOS) of the voltage regulating transistor M0 is coupled to a voltage input terminal
(VDD). The other electrode (that is, a drain of the PMOS) of the voltage regulating
transistor M0 and an input terminal of the sampling circuit are coupled and serve
as an output terminal of the LDO. An output terminal of the sampling circuit and a
non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier A0 are coupled. An inverting
input terminal of the operational amplifier A0 is configured to receive a reference
voltage V
REF. One terminal of the load capacitor C0 is coupled to the output terminal of the LDO,
and the other terminal of the load capacitor C0 is coupled to a ground terminal (GND).
[0030] When the LDO is operating, the sampling circuit samples an output voltage V
OUT by using the resistor Ra and the resistor Rb, and feeds the sampled voltage back
to the non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier. The operational
amplifier compares the collected voltage with the reference voltage V
REF received by the inverting input terminal, and amplifies the collected voltage. The
amplified voltage is fed back to the input terminal through the gate of the voltage
regulating transistor M0. Dynamic regulated output is performed by using a forward
voltage drop of the voltage regulating transistor M0.
[0031] When the LDO is powered on, a load of a following stage changes drastically, or the
like, the output voltage V
OUT of the LDO overshoots or undershoots, resulting in poor transient performance of
the LDO. Overshooting may mean that a peak value or valley value of an actual output
voltage is greater than a specified output voltage range. Undershooting may mean that
a peak value or valley value of an actual output voltage is less than a specified
output voltage range. Currently, to ensure that an LDO has a good transient response,
an LDO with a large on-chip capacitor or an LDO with an off-chip capacitor is usually
used. However, if the LDO with an on-chip capacitor is used, the on-chip capacitor
occupies a large chip area, and if the LDO with an off-chip capacitor is used, the
off-chip capacitor occupies an additional PCB area. Based on this, an embodiment of
this application provides a transient performance improvement circuit used for an
LDO. A principle of the transient performance improvement circuit used for an LDO
is that at least one detection circuit coupled to the LDO improves transient performance
of the LDO. The at least one detection circuit may provide feedback to any node (for
example, an output node or an internal node of the LDO) in the LDO, provided that
negative feedback is formed. The circuit may be configured to reduce an area occupied
by a capacitor in the LDO while improving transient performance of the LDO, reducing
an area of a chip on which the LDO is located.
[0032] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a transient performance improvement
circuit used for an LDO according to an embodiment of this application. With reference
to FIG. 2, the circuit includes an LDO 1 and at least one detection circuit 2 coupled
to the LDO 1. The at least one detection circuit 2 may include one or more detection
circuits.
[0033] The LDO 1 is configured to output a first voltage V1. The first voltage V1 may be
a voltage used to supply power to various subsystems or systems. The first voltage
V1 may also be referred to as an output voltage of the LDO 1. For example, the LDO
1 is the LDO shown in FIG. 1. The first voltage V1 is the output voltage V
OUT shown in FIG. 1.
[0034] In addition, each of the at least one detection circuit 2 includes a first capacitor
C1, an amplifier 21, and a second capacitor C2. The first capacitor C1 is configured
to generate a coupling voltage based on a change in the first voltage V1 and couple
the coupling voltage to the amplifier 21. That is, the first capacitor C1 couples
the first voltage V1 to the amplifier 21 in an alternating current coupling (AC coupling)
manner. A direct current component in the first voltage V1 may be filtered out by
the first capacitor C1. The amplifier 21 is configured to amplify the coupling voltage
to obtain a second voltage V2. That is, the second voltage V2 is a voltage obtained
after the coupling voltage is amplified. For example, the amplifier 21 may be a non-inverting
amplifier or an inverting amplifier, and is configured to amplify the coupling voltage
to obtain the second voltage V2. The second capacitor C2 is configured to couple the
second voltage V2 to the LDO 1. That is, the second capacitor C2 couples the second
voltage V2 to the LDO 1 in the alternating current coupling manner. The second voltage
V2 is used to regulate the first voltage V1 to maintain constancy of the first voltage
V1.
[0035] It can be understood that, that the second capacitor C2 is configured to couple the
second voltage V2 to the LDO 1 may include: The second capacitor C2 directly couples
the second voltage V2 to the LDO 1, to maintain constancy of the first voltage V1
by regulating the first voltage V1 inside the LDO 1; or the second capacitor C2 indirectly
couples the second voltage V2 to the LDO 1, for example, the second capacitor C2 couples
the second voltage V2 to the LDO 1 by using an intermediate circuit. The intermediate
circuit may be configured to regulate the first voltage V1 to maintain constancy of
the first voltage V1. For example, the intermediate circuit is a compensation circuit
22 below. In addition, maintaining constancy of the first voltage V1 may be understood
as maintaining the first voltage V1 to be equal to a preset voltage value or maintaining
the first voltage V1 to fluctuate in a small range around a preset voltage value.
For example, the preset voltage value is 5 V If the first voltage V1 fluctuates in
a range of [4.9 V, 5.1 V], it can be understood as that the first voltage V1 is constant.
[0036] Optionally, the amplifier 21 may be an integrated amplifier module. For example,
the amplifier 21 may be an operational transimpedance amplifier (OTA) module. Alternatively,
the amplifier 21 may be an amplifier built of electronic components. For example,
as shown in FIG. 3, the amplifier 21 may include a first transistor M1, a second transistor
M2, a third transistor M3, and a first resistor R1. One electrode of the first transistor
M1, one electrode of the second transistor M2, and one terminal of the first resistor
R1 are coupled and serve as an output terminal of the amplifier 21. A control terminal
of the first transistor M1, a control terminal of the second transistor M2, and the
other terminal of the first resistor R1 are coupled and serve as an input terminal
of the amplifier 21. The other electrode of the second transistor M2 and one electrode
of the third transistor M3 are coupled. One of the other electrode of the first transistor
M1 and the other electrode of the third transistor M3 is coupled to a power terminal,
and the other is coupled to a ground terminal. A control terminal of the third transistor
M3 is coupled to a bias voltage terminal VBP.
[0037] The bias voltage terminal VBP is configured to supply a bias voltage to the third
transistor M3. The third transistor M3 serves as a current source to supply a bias
current to the amplifier 21. The first transistor M1 and the second transistor M2
form a common source amplifier. The first resistor R1 provides a static direct current
bias voltage through direct coupling, so that the first transistor M1 and the second
transistor M2 are both in a saturation region or a subthreshold region. Specifically,
after being coupled to the input terminal of the amplifier 21 by using the first capacitor
C1, the first voltage V1 is reversely amplified by the first transistor M1 and the
second transistor M2, and the second voltage V2 is output from the output terminal
of the amplifier 21.
[0038] It should be noted that in FIG. 3, an example is used for description in which the
first transistor M1 is an NMOS transistor, the second transistor M2 and the third
transistor M3 are both PMOS transistors, the one electrode is a drain, the other electrode
is a source, and the control terminal is a gate. In actual application, the first
transistor M1, the second transistor M2, and the third transistor M3 may be alternatively
replaced with other transistors with similar functions. FIG. 3 does not constitute
any limitation on embodiments of this application.
[0039] The amplifier 21 is a phase inverter based amplifier. A transimpedance of the amplifier
21 is a sum of a transimpedance of the first transistor M1 and a transimpedance of
the second transistor M2. Under same power consumption, the transimpedance of the
amplifier 21 is twice that of a common amplifier. The third transistor M3 is configured
to supply a bias current to the amplifier 21, to prevent power consumption of the
amplifier 21 from changing with a voltage at the power terminal and a process corner.
The amplifier 21 is coupled to the LDO 1 by using the first capacitor C1 and the second
capacitor C2. This allows a direct current operating point of the amplifier 21 to
be separately biased by using only the first resistor R1, effectively reducing a matching
requirement of the amplifier 21.
[0040] In this embodiment of this application, the first voltage V1 output by the LDO 1
is coupled to the amplifier 21 by the first capacitor C1, and is amplified by the
amplifier 21. Therefore, while a transient performance of the LDO 1 is improved, the
small first capacitor C1 can be used to implement coupling of the first voltage V1,
reducing a chip area occupied by the first capacitor C 1. In addition, the second
voltage V2 output by the amplifier 21 is coupled to the LDO 1 by the second capacitor
C2, so that the second voltage V2 does not act directly on an inherent loop of the
LDO 1, avoiding destroying a direct current characteristic of the LDO 1, and ensuring
stability of the loop of the LDO 1. Moreover, the amplifier 21 is coupled to the LDO
1 by using the first capacitor C1 and the second capacitor C2. In this way, a bias
of the amplifier 21 can be separated from a direct current component of the first
voltage V1, effectively reducing difficulty and complexity of biasing in the amplifier
21. That is, requirements such as offset and matching do not need to be considered
during design of the amplifier 21, further reducing an area of a chip and implementing
low power consumption and high energy efficiency.
[0041] Further, depending on whether the second capacitor C2 directly couples the second
voltage V2 to the LDO 1, detection circuits may be classified into two types. A first
type of detection circuit is a detection circuit including a compensation circuit.
That is, the second capacitor C2 indirectly couples the second voltage V2 to the LDO
1. A second type of detection circuit is a detection circuit not including a compensation
circuit. That is, the second capacitor C2 directly couples the second voltage V2 to
the LDO 1. The at least one detection circuit 2 may include at least one of the two
types of detection circuits. The following separately describes the two types of detection
circuits.
[0042] The first type of detection circuit is a detection circuit including a compensation
circuit. That is, the second capacitor C2 indirectly couples the second voltage V2
to the LDO 1.
[0043] Specifically, the at least one detection circuit 2 includes a first detection circuit
2a. The first detection circuit 2a includes a compensation circuit 22 coupled between
the second capacitor C2 and the LDO 1. The compensation circuit 22 is configured to
regulate the first voltage V1 based on the second voltage V2 to maintain constancy
of the first voltage V1. The first detection circuit 2a in this specification may
be a detection circuit including the compensation circuit 22.
[0044] In a possible embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the compensation circuit 22 includes
a fourth transistor M4, a fifth transistor M5, a sixth transistor M6, a second resistor
R2, and a third resistor R3. One electrode of the fourth transistor M4, one terminal
of the third resistor R3, and one electrode of the sixth transistor M6 are coupled
to a first node □. The other electrode of the fourth transistor M4, a control terminal
of the fifth transistor M5, and one terminal of the second resistor R2 are coupled
and serve as an input terminal of the compensation circuit 22. One electrode of the
fifth transistor M5 and the other terminal of the second resistor R2 are coupled to
a second node □. The other electrode of the fifth transistor M5, a control terminal
of the sixth transistor M6, and the other terminal of the third resistor R3 are coupled.
The other electrode of the sixth transistor M6 serves as an output terminal of the
compensation circuit 22. One of the first node □ and the second node □ is coupled
to the power terminal, and the other is coupled to the ground terminal.
[0045] Optionally, the at least one detection circuit 2 may include one or more first detection
circuits. Output terminals of the one or more first detection circuits may be coupled
to different nodes or a same node in the LDO 1. That is, the plurality of first detection
circuits provide feedback to different nodes or a same node in the LDO 1. For example,
as shown in FIG. 4, it is assumed that the at least one detection circuit 2 includes
two first detection circuits, a first node □ in a compensation circuit 22 in one (denoted
as 2a-1 in FIG. 4) of the two first detection circuits is coupled to the power terminal,
and a second node □ in the compensation circuit 22 is coupled to the ground terminal;
and a first node □ in a compensation circuit 22 in the other (denoted as 2a-2 in FIG.
4) of the two first detection circuits is coupled to the ground terminal, and a second
node □ in the compensation circuit 22 is coupled to the power terminal. In FIG. 4,
an example is used for description in which output terminals of the two first detection
circuits are both coupled to an output terminal of the LDO 1 (that is, the two first
detection circuits both provide feedback to the output terminal of the LDO 1), and
the LDO is the LDO shown in FIG. 1. A VBP and a VBN represent different bias voltage
terminals, respectively.
[0046] It should be noted that an example is used for description in which a fifth transistor
M5 is an NMOS transistor, and a fourth transistor M4 and a sixth transistor M6 are
both PMOS transistors in the first detection circuit 2a-1; a fifth transistor M5 is
a PMOS transistor, and a fourth transistor M4 and a sixth transistor M6 are both NMOS
transistors in the first detection circuit 2a-2; and the one electrode is a drain,
the other electrode is a source, and the control terminal is a gate. In actual application,
the fourth transistor M4, the fifth transistor M5, and the sixth transistor M6 may
be alternatively replaced with other transistors with similar functions. FIG. 4 does
not constitute any limitation on embodiments of this application.
[0047] In addition, the second resistor R2 and the third resistor R3 in FIG. 4 may be alternatively
replaced with other devices with similar functions. For example, the second resistor
R2 may be replaced with an NMOS transistor, and the third resistor R3 may be replaced
with a PMOS transistor. A gate of the NMOS transistor and a gate of the PMOS transistor
may be connected to a bias voltage terminal.
[0048] In FIG. 4, the first detection circuit 2a-1 may be referred to as an undershoot detection
circuit, and is configured to implement boost compensation for the first voltage V1
when the first voltage V1 output by the LDO 1 undershoots. Specifically, when the
first voltage V1 output by the LDO 1 undershoots, the first detection circuit 2a-1
detects an undershoot glitch (that is, a coupling voltage that is generated based
on a change in the first voltage V1) of the first voltage V1 by using a first capacitor
C1. After the undershoot glitch is amplified by an amplifier 21 that includes M1,
M2, M3, and R1, a second voltage V2 is obtained. The second voltage V2 is coupled
to a gate of the fifth transistor M5 in the compensation circuit 22 by a second capacitor
C2. In this case, the fifth transistor M5 is turned on, and a gate voltage of the
sixth transistor M6 is pulled low. Therefore, the sixth transistor M6 is turned on.
A drain voltage of the sixth transistor M6 is used to compensate for the first voltage
V1 output by the LDO 1, to implement boost compensation for the first voltage V1,
that is, to implement transient compensation for a case in which the first voltage
V1 undershoots.
[0049] In a process in which the first detection circuit 2a-1 operates, transient compensation
is triggered only when the second voltage V2 output by the amplifier 21 exceeds a
threshold voltage of the fifth transistor M5. A bias voltage is formed after a drain
current of the fourth transistor M4 passes through the second resistor R2, and can
reduce the threshold voltage of the fifth transistor M5, so that a signal coupled
by the second capacitor C2 can immediately turn on the fifth transistor M5. In addition,
when the first voltage V1 output by the LDO 1 does not undershoot or an undershoot
is less than the threshold voltage of the fifth transistor M5, the fifth transistor
M5 in the compensation circuit 22 is turned off, and the third resistor R3 pulls up
to turn off the sixth transistor M6. In this case, the first detection circuit 2a-1
has no impact on the LDO 1.
[0050] In FIG. 4, the first detection circuit 2a-2 may be referred to as an overshoot detection
circuit, and is configured to implement buck regulation for the first voltage V1 when
the first voltage V1 output by the LDO 1 overshoots. Specifically, when the first
voltage V1 output by the LDO 1 overshoots, the first detection circuit 2a-2 detects
an overshoot glitch (that is, a coupling voltage that is generated based on a change
in the first voltage V1) of the first voltage V1 by using a first capacitor C1. After
the overshoot glitch is amplified by an amplifier 21 that includes M1, M2, M3, and
R1, a second voltage V2 is obtained. The second voltage V2 is coupled to a gate of
the fifth transistor M5 in the compensation circuit 22 by a second capacitor C2. In
this case, the fifth transistor M5 is turned on, and a gate voltage of the sixth transistor
M6 is pulled low. Therefore, the sixth transistor M6 is turned on. A drain voltage
of the sixth transistor M6 is used to pull low the first voltage V1 output by the
LDO 1, to implement buck regulation for the first voltage V1, that is, to implement
transient compensation for a case in which the first voltage V1 overshoots.
[0051] In a process in which the first detection circuit 2a-2 operates, transient compensation
is triggered only when the second voltage V2 output by the amplifier 21 exceeds a
threshold voltage of the fifth transistor M5. A bias voltage is formed after a drain
current of the fourth transistor M4 passes through the second resistor R2, and can
reduce the threshold voltage of the fifth transistor M5, so that a signal coupled
by the second capacitor C2 can immediately turn on the fifth transistor M5. In addition,
when the first voltage V1 output by the LDO 1 does not overshoot or an overshoot is
less than the threshold voltage of the fifth transistor M5, the fifth transistor M5
in the compensation circuit 22 is turned off, and the third resistor R3 pulls low
to turn off the sixth transistor M6. In this case, the first detection circuit 2a-2
has no impact on the LDO 1.
[0052] In another possible embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the compensation circuit 22 includes
a fourth transistor M4, a fifth transistor M5, and a second resistor R2. One electrode
of the fourth transistor M4 is coupled to a first node □. The other electrode of the
fourth transistor M4, a control terminal of the fifth transistor M5, and one terminal
of the second resistor R2 are coupled and serve as an input terminal of the compensation
circuit 22. One electrode of the fifth transistor M5 and the other terminal of the
second resistor R2 are coupled to a second node □. The other electrode of the fifth
transistor M5 serves as an output terminal of the compensation circuit 22. One of
the first node □ and the second node □ is coupled to the power terminal, and the other
is coupled to the ground terminal.
[0053] Optionally, the at least one detection circuit 2 may include one or more first detection
circuits. Output terminals of the one or more first detection circuits may be coupled
to different nodes or a same node in the LDO 1. That is, the plurality of first detection
circuits provide feedback to a plurality of first detection circuits. For example,
as shown in FIG. 5, it is assumed that the at least one detection circuit 2 includes
a first detection circuit 2a, a first node □ in a compensation circuit 22 in the first
detection circuit 2a is coupled to the power terminal, a second node □ in the compensation
circuit 22 is coupled to the ground terminal, the LDO is the LDO shown in FIG. 1,
and an output terminal of the first detection circuit 2a is coupled to the gate of
the voltage regulating transistor M0 in the LDO 1 (that is, the first detection circuit
2a provides feedback to the gate of the voltage regulating transistor M0 in the LDO
1). A working principle of the first detection circuit 2a is similar to a working
principle of the first detection circuit 2a-1. Therefore, details are not described
herein again in this embodiment of this application.
[0054] It should be noted that in FIG. 5, an example is used for description in which the
fourth transistor M4 is a PMOS transistor, the fifth transistor M5 is an NMOS transistor,
the one electrode is a drain, the other electrode is a source, and the control terminal
is a gate. In actual application, the fourth transistor M4 and the fifth transistor
M5 may be alternatively replaced with other transistors with similar functions. In
addition, in FIG. 5, an example is used for description in which the at least one
detection circuit 2 includes the first detection circuit 2a. FIG. 5 does not constitute
any limitation on embodiments of this application.
[0055] Further, in addition to the LDO 1 shown in FIG. 1, the first detection circuits shown
in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 may be applied to an LDO of another structure. For example, the
operational amplifier A0 in the LDO 1 may be an operational amplifier built of a plurality
of transistors, or the LDO may be a flipped voltage follower (FVF) LDO, that is, an
FVF LDO.
[0056] For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the operational amplifier A0 in the LDO 1 may include
a total of 12 transistors from T1 to T12. Specific connection relationships between
the transistors T1 to T12 are shown in the figure. VBP and VBN represent bias voltages,
respectively. The at least one detection circuit 2 may provide feedback to any node
in the operational amplifier A0, provided that negative feedback is formed. For example,
the at least one detection circuit 2 provides feedback to a gate of the transistor
T2 (which may also be referred to as a gate of the transistor T3). Alternatively,
the at least one detection circuit 2 provides feedback to a gate of the transistor
T5 (which may also be referred to as a gate of the transistor T6). It should be noted
that in FIG. 6, an example is used for description in which the transistors T1, T4,
T8, T9, T10, T11, and T12 are all PMOS transistors, and the transistors T2, T3, T5,
T6, and T7 are all NMOS transistors. The transistors T1 to T12 may be alternatively
replaced with other transistors with similar functions, or the operational amplifier
A0 includes more or fewer transistors. FIG. 6 does not constitute any limitation on
embodiments of this application.
[0057] For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when the LDO 1 is an FVF LDO, the LDO 1 may include
a seventh transistor M7, an eighth transistor M8, a ninth transistor M9, a tenth transistor
M10, an eleventh transistor M11, and a fourth resistor R4. One electrode of the seventh
transistor M7 and one electrode of the eighth transistor M8 are both coupled to the
power terminal. The other electrode of the seventh transistor M7 and one electrode
of the ninth transistor M9 are coupled and serve as the output terminal of the LDO
1. The other electrode of the eighth transistor M8, one electrode of the tenth transistor
M10, and a control terminal of the seventh transistor M7 are coupled (a voltage at
a coupling point is denoted as V
FB2). The other electrode of the ninth transistor M9, the other electrode of the tenth
transistor M10, and one electrode of the eleventh transistor M11 are coupled (a voltage
at a coupling point is denoted as V
FB1). The other electrode of the eleventh transistor M11 is coupled to the ground terminal.
A control terminal of the eleventh transistor M11 and one terminal of the fourth resistor
R4 are coupled. The other terminal of the fourth resistor R4 is connected to a bias
voltage terminal VBN1.
[0058] It should be noted that in FIG. 7, an example is used for description in which the
seventh transistor M7, the eighth transistor M8, and the ninth transistor M9 are all
PMOS transistors; the tenth transistor M10 and the eleventh transistor M11 are both
NMOS transistors; the one electrodes of the seventh transistor M7 to the ninth transistor
are sources, and the other electrodes of the seventh transistor M7 to the ninth transistor
are drains; the one electrodes of the tenth transistor M10 and the eleventh transistor
M11 are drains, and the other electrodes of the tenth transistor M10 and the eleventh
transistor M11 are sources; and the control terminals are gates. In actual application,
the seventh transistor M7 to the eleventh transistor M11 may be alternatively replaced
with other transistors with similar functions. FIG. 7 does not constitute any limitation
on embodiments of this application.
[0059] The output terminal of the first detection circuit shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5 may
be alternatively coupled to the output terminal of the FVF LDO or another node inside
the FVF LDO. For example, the output terminal of the first detection circuit is coupled
to the control terminal of the seventh transistor M7 in the FVF LDO, or the output
terminal of the first detection circuit is coupled to a control terminal of the eighth
transistor M8 in the FVF LDO, or the output terminal of the first detection circuit
is coupled to a control terminal of the tenth transistor M10 in the FVF LDO, or the
output terminal of the first detection circuit is coupled to the control terminal
of the eleventh transistor M11 in the FVF LDO.
[0060] The second type of detection circuit is a detection circuit not including a compensation
circuit. That is, the second capacitor C2 directly couples the second voltage V2 to
the LDO 1. The following uses a structure of the FVF LDO shown in FIG. 7 as an example
for description.
[0061] In a possible embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the at least one detection circuit
2 includes a second detection circuit 2b. A second capacitor C2 in the second detection
circuit 2b is coupled between an output terminal of an amplifier 21 and the control
terminal (that is, a gate) of the eighth transistor M8. That is, the second detection
circuit 2b provides feedback to the gate of the eighth transistor M8 in the FVF LDO.
[0062] Specifically, when a first voltage V1 output by the FVF LDO is normal, the second
detection circuit 2b does not operate. It is assumed that a current flowing through
the eleventh transistor M11 is 111, a current flowing through the eighth transistor
M8 is I8, a current flowing through the tenth transistor M10 is I10, and a current
flowing through the ninth transistor M9 is I9. I11=I9+I8. I8=I10.
[0063] When the FVF LDO undershoots, the second detection circuit 2b detects an undershoot
glitch (that is, a coupling voltage that is generated based on a change in the first
voltage V1) of the first voltage V1 by using a first capacitor C1. After the undershoot
glitch is amplified by the amplifier 21, a second voltage V2 is obtained. The second
voltage V2 is coupled to the gate of the eighth transistor M8 in the FVF LDO by the
second capacitor C2. In this case, a gate-source voltage (that is, Vgs) of the eighth
transistor M8 decreases, to control the current I8 flowing through the eighth transistor
M8 to decrease. In addition, because the current I10 flowing through the tenth transistor
M10 remains unchanged, I10 is greater than I8 in this case. As a result, a gate voltage
V
BF2 of the seventh transistor is pulled low, and a gate-source voltage (that is, Vgs)
of the seventh transistor M7 increases rapidly, increasing an output current of the
FVF LDO, that is, implementing transient compensation for a case in which the first
voltage V1 undershoots.
[0064] When the FVF LDO overshoots, the second detection circuit 2b detects an overshoot
glitch (that is, a coupling voltage that is generated based on a change in the first
voltage V1) of the first voltage V1 by using a first capacitor C1. After the overshoot
glitch is amplified by the amplifier 21, a second voltage V2 is obtained. The second
voltage V2 is coupled to the gate of the eighth transistor M8 in the FVF LDO by the
second capacitor C2. In this case, a gate-source voltage (that is, Vgs) of the eighth
transistor M8 increases, to control the current I8 flowing through the eighth transistor
M8 to increase. In addition, because the current I10 flowing through the tenth transistor
M10 remains unchanged, I10 is less than I8 in this case. As a result, a gate voltage
V
BF2 of the seventh transistor is pulled up, and a gate-source voltage (that is, Vgs)
of the seventh transistor M7 decreases, decreasing an output current of the FVF LDO,
that is, implementing transient compensation for a case in which the first voltage
V1 overshoots.
[0065] In another possible embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the at least one detection circuit
2 includes a third detection circuit 2c. A second capacitor C2 in the third detection
circuit 2c is coupled between an output terminal of an inverting amplifier 21 and
the control terminal (that is, a gate) of the tenth transistor M10. That is, the third
detection circuit 2c provides feedback to the gate of the tenth transistor M10 in
the FVF LDO.
[0066] Specifically, when a first voltage V1 output by the FVF LDO is normal, the second
detection circuit 2b does not operate. It is assumed that a current flowing through
the eleventh transistor M11 is 111, a current flowing through the eighth transistor
M8 is I8, a current flowing through the tenth transistor M10 is I10, and a current
flowing through the ninth transistor M9 is I9. I11=I9+I8. I8=I10.
[0067] When the FVF LDO undershoots, the third detection circuit 2c detects an undershoot
glitch (that is, a coupling voltage that is generated based on a change in the first
voltage V1) of the first voltage V1 by using a first capacitor C1. After the undershoot
glitch is amplified by the inverting amplifier 21, a second voltage V2 is obtained.
The second voltage V2 is coupled to the gate of the tenth transistor M10 in the FVF
LDO by the second capacitor C2. In this case, a gate-source voltage (that is, Vgs)
of the tenth transistor M10 increases, to control the current I10 flowing through
the tenth transistor M10 to increase. In addition, because the current I8 flowing
through the eighth transistor M8 remains unchanged, I10 is greater than I8 in this
case. As a result, a gate voltage V
BF2 of the seventh transistor is pulled low, and a gate-source voltage (that is, Vgs)
of the seventh transistor M7 increases rapidly, increasing an output current of the
FVF LDO, that is, implementing transient compensation for a case in which the first
voltage V1 undershoots.
[0068] When the FVF LDO overshoots, the third detection circuit 2c detects an overshoot
glitch (that is, a coupling voltage that is generated based on a change in the first
voltage V1) of the first voltage V1 by using a first capacitor C1. After the overshoot
glitch is amplified by the inverting amplifier 21, a second voltage V2 is obtained.
The second voltage V2 is coupled to the gate of the tenth transistor M10 in the FVF
LDO by the second capacitor C2. In this case, a gate-source voltage (that is, Vgs)
of the tenth transistor M10 decreases, to control the current I10 flowing through
the tenth transistor M10 to decrease. In addition, because the current I8 flowing
through the eighth transistor M8 remains unchanged, I10 is less than I8 in this case.
As a result, a gate voltage V
BF2 of the seventh transistor is pulled up, and a gate-source voltage (that is, Vgs)
of the seventh transistor M7 decreases, decreasing an output current of the FVF LDO,
that is, implementing transient compensation for a case in which the first voltage
V1 overshoots.
[0069] In still another possible embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the at least one detection
circuit 2 includes a fourth detection circuit 2d. A second capacitor C2 in the fourth
detection circuit 2d is coupled between an output terminal of an inverting amplifier
21 and the control terminal (that is, a gate) of the eleventh transistor M11. That
is, the fourth detection circuit 2d provides feedback to the gate of the eleventh
transistor M11 in the FVF LDO.
[0070] Specifically, when a first voltage V1 output by the FVF LDO is normal, the second
detection circuit 2b does not operate. It is assumed that a current flowing through
the eleventh transistor M11 is 111, a current flowing through the eighth transistor
M8 is I8, a current flowing through the tenth transistor M10 is I10, and a current
flowing through the ninth transistor M9 is I9. I11=I9+I8. I8=I10.
[0071] When the FVF LDO undershoots, the fourth detection circuit 2d detects an undershoot
glitch (that is, a coupling voltage that is generated based on a change in the first
voltage V1) of the first voltage V1 by using a first capacitor C1. After the undershoot
glitch is amplified by the inverting amplifier 21, a second voltage V2 is obtained.
The second voltage V2 is coupled to the gate of the eleventh transistor M11 in the
FVF LDO by the second capacitor C2. In this case, a gate-source voltage (that is,
Vgs) of the eleventh transistor M11 increases, to control the current I10 flowing
through the eleventh transistor M10 to increase. In addition, because the current
I8 flowing through the eighth transistor M8 remains unchanged, the current I9 flowing
through the ninth transistor M9 decreases, and the current I10 flowing through the
tenth transistor M10 increases, I10 is greater than I8 in this case. As a result,
a gate voltage V
BF2 of the seventh transistor is pulled low, and a gate-source voltage (that is, Vgs)
of the seventh transistor M7 increases rapidly, increasing an output current of the
FVF LDO, that is, implementing transient compensation for a case in which the first
voltage V1 undershoots.
[0072] When the FVF LDO overshoots, the fourth detection circuit 2d detects an overshoot
glitch (that is, a coupling voltage that is generated based on a change in the first
voltage V1) of the first voltage V1 by using a first capacitor C1. After the overshoot
glitch is amplified by the amplifier 21, a second voltage V2 is obtained. The second
voltage V2 is coupled to the gate of the eleventh transistor M11 in the FVF LDO by
the second capacitor C2. In this case, a gate-source voltage (that is, Vgs) of the
eleventh transistor M11 decreases, to control the current I11 flowing through the
eleventh transistor M11 to decrease. In addition, because the current I8 flowing through
the eighth transistor M8 remains unchanged, the current I9 flowing through the ninth
transistor M9 increases, and the current I10 flowing through the tenth transistor
M10 decreases, I10 is less than I8 in this case. As a result, a gate voltage V
BF2 of the seventh transistor is pulled up, and a gate-source voltage (that is, Vgs)
of the seventh transistor M7 decreases, decreasing an output current of the FVF LDO,
that is, implementing transient compensation for a case in which the first voltage
V1 overshoots.
[0073] Further, for overshoot compensation or undershoot compensation for the LDO 1, a plurality
of detection circuits may be used to implement transient compensation for the LDO
1. Output terminals of the plurality of detection circuits may be coupled to different
nodes in the LDO 1, provided that it is ensured that coupling between each detection
circuit and the LDO 1 forms negative feedback.
[0074] For example, as shown in FIG. 11, undershoot compensation for the FVF LDO is used
as an example. The at least one detection circuit 2 may include four detection circuits
that are denoted as 201 to 204, respectively. An output terminal of the detection
circuit 201 is coupled to the output terminal of the FVF LDO. An output terminal of
the detection circuit 202 is coupled to a gate of the seventh transistor M7 in the
FVF LDO. An output terminal of the detection circuit 203 is coupled to the gate of
the eighth transistor M8 in the FVF LDO. An output terminal of the detection circuit
204 is coupled to the gate of the eleventh transistor M11 in the FVF LDO.
[0075] A working principle of the detection circuit 201 is similar to a working principle
of the first detection circuit 2a-1 shown in FIG. 4. A working principle of the detection
circuit 202 is similar to a working principle of the first detection circuit 2a shown
in FIG. 5. A working principle of the detection circuit 203 is similar to a working
principle of the second detection circuit 2b shown in FIG. 8. A working principle
of the detection circuit 204 is similar to a working principle of the fourth detection
circuit 2d shown in FIG. 10. For details, refer to relevant descriptions above. Details
are not described herein again in this embodiment of this application.
[0076] In this embodiment of this application, transient compensation is performed for overshooting
or undershooting of the LDO 1 by using the plurality of detection circuits, more quickly
implementing transient compensation for the LDO 1 and improving transient performance
of the LDO 1. In addition, when the first voltage V1 output by the LDO 1 is normal
or a change in the first voltage V1 is small, the plurality of detection circuits
may be in an off state, not affecting a direct current characteristic of the LDO 1,
and ensuring stability of a loop of the LDO 1.
[0077] Based on this, an embodiment of this application further provides a chip system.
The chip system includes a load circuit and any transient performance improvement
circuit used for an LDO provided above. The transient performance improvement circuit
includes an LDO and at least one detection circuit coupled to the LDO. The LDO is
configured to supply power to the load circuit. The at least one detection circuit
is configured to improve a transient performance of the LDO. Optionally, the load
circuit may include at least one of the following: an RF transceiver, a DAC, an ADC,
a high-speed digital circuit (for example, a system-on-a-chip SoC), and a PLL.
[0078] An embodiment of this application further provides a device. The device includes
a load circuit and a circuit board. The circuit board includes any transient performance
improvement circuit used for an LDO provided above. The transient performance improvement
circuit includes an LDO and at least one detection circuit coupled to the LDO. The
LDO is configured to supply power to the load circuit. The at least one detection
circuit is configured to improve a transient performance of the LDO. Optionally, the
load circuit may include at least one of the following: an RF transceiver, a DAC,
an ADC, a high-speed digital circuit (for example, a system-on-a-chip SoC), and a
PLL. In addition, the device may be a communication device, a voltage regulating device,
or the like. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of this application.
[0079] It should be noted that relevant descriptions of the transient performance improvement
circuit used for an LDO provided above may all be cited and incorporated into a description
of the chip system or the device. Details are not described herein again in embodiments
of this application.
[0080] According to another aspect of this application, a non-transitory computer-readable
storage medium used with a computer is further provided. The computer has software
used for creating an integrated circuit. The computer-readable storage medium stores
one or more computer-readable data structures. The one or more computer-readable data
structures have photomask data used for manufacturing the transient performance improvement
circuit used for an LDO provided in any of the figures provided above.
[0081] In conclusion, the foregoing descriptions are merely specific implementations of
this application, but are not intended to limit the protection scope of this application.
Any variation or replacement within the technical scope disclosed in this application
shall fall within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection
scope of this application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.
1. A transient performance improvement circuit used for a low dropout regulator, LDO,
comprising:
an LDO, configured to output a first voltage; and
at least one detection circuit coupled to the LDO, wherein each of the at least one
detection circuit comprises a first capacitor, an amplifier, and a second capacitor,
wherein
the first capacitor is configured to generate a coupling voltage based on a change
in the first voltage and couple the coupling voltage to the amplifier;
the amplifier is configured to amplify the coupling voltage to obtain a second voltage;
and
the second capacitor is configured to couple the second voltage to the LDO, wherein
the second voltage is used to regulate the first voltage to maintain constancy of
the first voltage.
2. The circuit according to claim 1, wherein the amplifier comprises a first transistor,
a second transistor, a third transistor, and a first resistor; and
one electrode of the first transistor, one electrode of the second transistor, and
one terminal of the first resistor are coupled and serve as an output terminal of
the amplifier; a control terminal of the first transistor, a control terminal of the
second transistor, and the other terminal of the first resistor are coupled and serve
as an input terminal of the amplifier; the other electrode of the second transistor
and one electrode of the third transistor are coupled; one of the other electrode
of the first transistor and the other electrode of the third transistor is coupled
to a power terminal, and the other is coupled to a ground terminal; and a control
terminal of the third transistor is coupled to a bias voltage terminal.
3. The circuit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one detection circuit
comprises a first detection circuit, and the first detection circuit further comprises
a compensation circuit coupled between the second capacitor and the LDO; and
the compensation circuit is configured to regulate the first voltage based on the
second voltage to maintain constancy of the first voltage.
4. The circuit according to claim 3, wherein the compensation circuit comprises a fourth
transistor, a fifth transistor, a sixth transistor, a second resistor, and a third
resistor;
one electrode of the fourth transistor, one terminal of the third resistor, and one
electrode of the sixth transistor are coupled to a first node; the other electrode
of the fourth transistor, a control terminal of the fifth transistor, and one terminal
of the second resistor are coupled and serve as an input terminal of the compensation
circuit; one electrode of the fifth transistor and the other terminal of the second
resistor are coupled to a second node; the other electrode of the fifth transistor,
a control terminal of the sixth transistor, and the other terminal of the third resistor
are coupled; and the other electrode of the sixth transistor serves as an output terminal
of the compensation circuit; and
one of the first node and the second node is coupled to the power terminal, and the
other is coupled to the ground terminal.
5. The circuit according to claim 4, wherein the LDO has an output terminal, and the
output terminal of the compensation circuit and the output terminal of the LDO are
coupled.
6. The circuit according to claim 3, wherein the compensation circuit comprises a fourth
transistor, a fifth transistor, and a second resistor; and
one electrode of the fourth transistor is coupled to a first node; the other electrode
of the fourth transistor, a control terminal of the fifth transistor, and one terminal
of the second resistor are coupled and serve as an input terminal of the compensation
circuit; one electrode of the fifth transistor and the other terminal of the second
resistor are coupled to a second node; the other electrode of the fifth transistor
serves as an output terminal of the compensation circuit; and one of the first node
and the second node is coupled to the power terminal, and the other is coupled to
the ground terminal.
7. The circuit according to claim 6, wherein the LDO comprises an operational amplifier,
a voltage regulating transistor, and a sampling circuit; an output terminal of the
operational amplifier and a control terminal of the voltage regulating transistor
are coupled; one electrode of the voltage regulating transistor is coupled to the
power terminal; the other electrode of the voltage regulating transistor and an input
terminal of the sampling circuit are coupled and serve as an output terminal of the
LDO; an output terminal of the sampling circuit and a non-inverting input terminal
of the operational amplifier are coupled; and an inverting input terminal of the operational
amplifier is configured to receive a reference voltage; and
the output terminal of the compensation circuit and the control terminal of the voltage
regulating transistor are coupled.
8. The circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the LDO comprises a seventh
transistor, an eighth transistor, a ninth transistor, a tenth transistor, an eleventh
transistor, and a fourth resistor; and
one electrode of the seventh transistor and one electrode of the eighth transistor
are both coupled to the power terminal; the other electrode of the seventh transistor
and one electrode of the ninth transistor are coupled and serve as the output terminal
of the LDO; the other electrode of the eighth transistor, one electrode of the tenth
transistor, and a control terminal of the seventh transistor are coupled; the other
electrode of the ninth transistor, the other electrode of the tenth transistor, and
one electrode of the eleventh transistor are coupled; the other electrode of the eleventh
transistor is coupled to the ground terminal; a control terminal of the eleventh transistor
and one terminal of the fourth resistor are coupled; and the other terminal of the
fourth resistor is connected to the bias voltage terminal.
9. The circuit according to claim 8, wherein the at least one detection circuit further
comprises a second detection circuit, and a second capacitor in the second detection
circuit is coupled between an output terminal of an amplifier and a control terminal
of the eighth transistor.
10. The circuit according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the at least one detection circuit
further comprises a third detection circuit, and a second capacitor in the third detection
circuit is coupled between an output terminal of an amplifier and a control terminal
of the tenth transistor.
11. The circuit according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the at least one detection
circuit further comprises a fourth detection circuit, and a second capacitor in the
fourth detection circuit is coupled between an output terminal of an amplifier and
the control terminal of the eleventh transistor.
12. A chip system, wherein the chip system comprises a load circuit and the transient
performance improvement circuit used for a low dropout regulator, LDO, according to
any one of claims 1 to 11; the transient performance improvement circuit comprises
an LDO and at least one detection circuit coupled to the LDO; the LDO is configured
to supply power to the load circuit; and the at least one detection circuit is configured
to improve a transient performance of the LDO.
13. A device, wherein the device comprises a load circuit and a circuit board; the circuit
board comprises the transient performance improvement circuit used for a low dropout
regulator, LDO, according to any one of claims 1 to 11; the transient performance
improvement circuit comprises an LDO and at least one detection circuit coupled to
the LDO; the LDO is configured to supply power to the load circuit; and the at least
one detection circuit is configured to improve a transient performance of the LDO.