A Model Study of an All-Digital, Discrete-Time and Embedded Linear Regulator

— With an increasing number of power-states, finer-grained power management and larger dynamic ranges of digital circuits, the integration of compact, scalable linear-regulators embedded deep within logic blocks has become important. While analog linear-regulators have traditionally been used in digital ICs, the need for digitally implementable designs that can be synthesized and embedded in digital functional units for ultra-fine grained power management has emerged. This paper presents the circuit design and control models of an all-digital, discrete-time linear regulator and explores the parametric design space for transient response time and loop stability.