Switching power supply module and memory storage device

A switching power supply module and a memory storage device are disclosed. The switching power supply module includes a first voltage regulation circuit, a second voltage regulation circuit, a switch circuit and a control circuit. The first voltage regulation circuit is configured to regulate an original power as a first power. The second voltage regulation circuit is configured to regulate the original power as a second power. The control circuit is configured to control the switch circuit to conduct a first power supply path under a first status to provide the first power to the first power supply target. The control circuit is further configured to control the switch circuit to conduct a second power supply path under a second status to provide the second power to the second power supply target.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwan application serial no. 110141829, filed on Nov. 10, 2021. The entirety of the above-mentioned patent application is hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this specification.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The disclosure relates to a power supply technology, and particularly relates to a switching power supply module and a memory storage device.

Description of Related Art

Most electronic devices are provided with a regulator to regulate (for example, step down) the input power to an appropriate value and supply the regulated power to various electronic circuits inside the electronic device. General regulators include direct current to direct current (DC/DC) regulators and low dropout (LDO) regulators. The DC/DC regulator is a regulating circuit with high power utilization efficiency. For example, when a DC/DC regulator performs a step-down operation, the DC/DC regulator can generally maintain a power utilization rate of 90% or more. Therefore, the DC/DC regulators are more commonly utilized to supply power to electronic circuits that consume more power. On the other hand, when the LDO regulator performs a step-down operation, the LDO regulator consumes excess power in the form of heat, and therefore the power utilization efficiency of the LDO regulator is poor. Accordingly, compared to DC/DC regulators, LDO regulators are more suitable for supplying power with small current. In addition, compared to DC/DC regulators, LDO regulators have the advantage of lower construction cost. Therefore, how to simultaneously configure these two regulators in the same electronic device and make them complement each other in operation is actually one of the issues that practitioners in the art are devoted to exploring.

SUMMARY

The disclosure provides a switching power supply module and a memory storage device, which can improve the operation efficiency of different types of regulation circuits when they are utilized to cooperate with each other.

An exemplary embodiment of the disclosure provides a switching power supply module. The switching power supply module includes a first voltage regulation circuit, a second voltage regulation circuit, a switch circuit and a control circuit. The first voltage regulation circuit is configured to regulate an original power as a first power. The second voltage regulation circuit is configured to regulate the original power as a second power. The control circuit is coupled to the first voltage regulation circuit, the second voltage regulation circuit, and the switch circuit. The control circuit is configured for controlling the switch circuit to operate in one of a first state and a second state. In the first state, the switch circuit is configured to provide the first power to the first power supply target and the second power supply target. In the second state, the switch circuit is further configured to cut off the power supply path between the first voltage regulation circuit and the first power supply target and provide the second power to the second power supply target. The power conversion efficiency of the first voltage regulation circuit is higher than the power conversion efficiency of the second voltage regulation circuit.

An exemplary embodiment of the disclosure further provides a memory storage device, which includes a rewritable non-volatile memory module, a peripheral component interconnect express (PCI Express) interface, and a switching power supply module. The switching power supply module is coupled to the rewritable non-volatile memory module and the PCI express interface. The first voltage regulation circuit in the switching power supply module is configured to regulate the original power as the first power. The second voltage regulation circuit in the switching power supply module is configured to regulate the original power as the second power. The switching power supply module is configured to operate in one of the first state and the second state. In the first state, the switching power supply module is configured to provide the first power to the rewritable non-volatile memory module and the PCT express interface. In the second state, the switching power supply module is configured to cut off the power supply path between the first voltage regulation circuit and the first power supply target and provide the second power to the PCI express interface. The power conversion efficiency of the first voltage regulation circuit is higher than the power conversion efficiency of the second voltage regulation circuit.

Based on the above, the first voltage regulation circuit is configured to regulate the original power as the first power. The second voltage regulation circuit is configured to regulate the original power as the second power. In particular, the power conversion efficiency of the first voltage regulation circuit is higher than that of the second voltage regulation circuit. The control circuit can selectively control the switch circuit to conduct the first power supply path to provide the first power to the first power supply target in the first state, or conduct the second power supply path to provide the second power to the second power supply target in the second state. In this way, the operation efficiency of the two different types of voltage regulation circuits can be improved when they are operated in cooperation with each other.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

A number of exemplary embodiments are presented below to illustrate the present disclosure, but the present disclosure is not limited to the multiple exemplary embodiments illustrated. Also, appropriate combinations of the exemplary embodiments are allowed. The term “coupling” used in the description of this disclosure (including claims) can refer to any direct or indirect connection means. For example, if the text describes that the first device is coupled to the second device, it should be interpreted as that the first device can be directly connected to the second device, or the first device can be indirectly connected to the second device through other devices or some kind of connection means. In addition, the term “signal” can refer to at least one current, voltage, charge, temperature, data, or any other one or more signals.

FIG.1is a schematic view of a switching power supply module according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. Please refer toFIG.1, the switching power supply module10may include a voltage regulation circuit (also referred to as a first voltage regulation circuit)11, a voltage regulation circuit (also referred to as a second voltage regulation circuit)12, a switch circuit13and a control circuit14.

The voltage regulation circuit11can be used to regulate a voltage (also referred to as original power) VDD as a voltage (also referred to as first power) V1. For example, the voltage V1may be lower than the voltage VDD. The voltage regulation circuit12can be used to regulate the voltage VDD as a voltage (also referred to as second power) V2. For example, the voltage V2may be lower than the voltage VDD. In particular, the power conversion efficiency of the voltage regulation circuit11is higher than the power conversion efficiency of the voltage regulation circuit12.

In an exemplary embodiment, the voltage regulation circuit11may include an inductance element111. The voltage regulation circuit11can be used to regulate the voltage VDD as the voltage V1by charging the inductance element111. For example, the voltage regulation circuit11may include a direct current to direct current (DC/DC) regulator.

In an exemplary embodiment, the voltage regulation circuit12may include an error amplifier121. The voltage regulation circuit12can be used to regulate the voltage VDD to the voltage V2based on the feedback of the error amplifier121. For example, the voltage regulation circuit12may include a low dropout (LDO) regulator.

The switch circuit13is coupled to the voltage regulation circuit11, the voltage regulation circuit12, and the control circuit14. The switch circuit13(or the switching power supply module10) can be selectively operated in one of the first state and the second state. In the first state, the switch circuit13can simultaneously provide the voltage V1generated by the voltage regulation circuit11to a load circuit (also referred to as the first power supply target)101and a load circuit (also referred to as the second power supply target)102. That is to say, in the first state, the voltage regulation circuit11can use the voltage V1to simultaneously supply power to the load circuits101and102through the switch circuit13. On the other hand, in the second state, the switch circuit13can cut off the power supply path between the voltage regulation circuit11and the load circuit101and provide the voltage V2generated by the voltage regulation circuit12to the load circuit102. That is, in the second state, the voltage regulation circuit12can use the voltage V2to supply power to the load circuit102only through the switch circuit13.

The control circuit14is coupled to the voltage regulation circuit11, the voltage regulation circuit12, and the switch circuit13. The control circuit14can be configured to control the switch circuit13to operate in the first state or the second state. For example, the control circuit14can send a signal (also referred to as a switch signal) SEL to the switch circuit13. The signal SEL can be used to control the switch circuit13to operate in the first state or the second state. The switch circuit13can automatically operate in the first state or the second state in response to the signal SEL. For example, the control circuit14may include a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a programmable controller, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD) or other similar devices or a combination of these devices.

FIG.2is a schematic view illustrating a switching power supply module or a switching circuit operating in a first state according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. Please refer toFIG.2, when it is necessary to supply power to the load circuits101and102simultaneously, the control circuit14can send a signal (also referred to as an enable signal) EN to the voltage regulation circuit11to activate the voltage regulation circuit11. The activated voltage regulation circuit11can generate the voltage V1. On the other hand, the control circuit14can send a signal SEL to the switch circuit13to control the switch circuit13to operate in the first state. In the first state, the switch circuit13can conduct the power supply path between the voltage regulation circuit11and the load circuit101and the power supply path between the voltage regulation circuit11and the load circuit102. In this manner, in the first state, the switch circuit13can provide the voltage V1generated by the voltage regulation circuit11to the load circuits101and102to supply power to the load circuits101and102simultaneously.

FIG.3is a schematic view illustrating a switching power supply module or a switching circuit operating in a second state according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. Referring toFIG.3, when the load circuit101does not need to be powered, the control circuit14can turn off the voltage regulation circuit11through the signal EN. The turned-off voltage regulation circuit11may not generate the voltage V1. On the other hand, the control circuit14can send a signal SEL to the switch circuit13to control the switch circuit13to operate in the second state. In the second state, the switch circuit13can cut off the power supply path between the voltage regulation circuit11and the load circuit101to stop supplying power to the load circuit101. Meanwhile, in the second state, the switch circuit13can conduct the power supply path between the voltage regulation circuit12and the load circuit102to use the voltage V2generated by the voltage regulation circuit12to supply power to the load circuit102.

It should be noted that the power utilization rate (or power conversion efficiency) of the voltage regulation circuit11in the operation of regulating the voltage VDD as the voltage V1(for example, stepping down the voltage VDD) is higher than the power utilization rate (or power conversion efficiency) of the voltage regulation circuit12in the operation of regulating the voltage VDD as the voltage V2(for example, stepping down the voltage VDD). Therefore, in the exemplary embodiment ofFIG.2, when the load circuits101and102need to be powered simultaneously, the voltage regulation circuit11is used to simultaneously supply power with large current to the load circuits101and102, which can effectively improve the overall power utilization rate. On the other hand, in the exemplary embodiment ofFIG.3, when only the load circuit102needs to be powered, the voltage regulation circuit12is used to supply power with small current to the load circuit102, which can effectively reduce the static power consumption generated by the operation of the voltage regulation circuit11.

It should be noted that in the second state shown inFIG.3, the voltage regulation circuit11is in an OFF state. Before switching the switching power supply module10or the switching circuit13from the second state to the first state, the control circuit13can activate the voltage regulation circuit11through the signal EN. The activated voltage regulation circuit11can generate the voltage V1. Then, the control circuit13can set the voltage V2generated by the voltage regulation circuit12according to the voltage V1. For example, the control circuit13can send a signal (also referred to as a voltage control signal CTRL) to the voltage regulation circuit12to instruct the voltage regulation circuit12to regulate the voltage V2. For example, the control circuit13may instruct the voltage regulation circuit12to set the voltage V2not to be higher than the voltage V1. After the voltage V2is set according to the voltage V1, the control circuit13can control the switch circuit13to switch from the second state to the first state through the signal SEL. For example, after the voltage V2is set according to the voltage V1, when the voltage V2is not higher than the voltage V1, the control circuit13can control the switch circuit13to switch from the second state to the first state through the signal SEL (for example, from the power supply state ofFIG.3to the power supply state ofFIG.2). In addition, after the voltage V2is set according to the voltage V1, the control circuit13can turn off the voltage regulation circuit12. In this way, during the process of switching the switch circuit13from the second state to the first state, the current provided to the load circuit102can be gently converted from being originally supplied by the voltage regulation circuit12into being supplied by the voltage regulation circuit11, thereby reducing the adverse effect on the load circuit102due to the change of power supply.

On the other hand, in the first state shown inFIG.2, the voltage regulation circuit11is in an activated state to continuously generate the voltage V1. Before switching the switching power supply module10or the switch circuit13from the first state to the second state, the control circuit13can set the voltage V2generated by the voltage regulation circuit12according to the voltage V1. For example, the control circuit13can instruct the voltage regulation circuit12to set the voltage V2not to be lower than the voltage V1through the signal CTRL. After the voltage V2is set according to the voltage V1, the control circuit13can control the switch circuit13to switch from the first state to the second state through the signal SEL. For example, after instructing the voltage regulation circuit12to regulate the voltage V2, when the voltage V2is not lower than the voltage V1, the control circuit13can control the switch circuit13to switch from the first state to the second state through the signal SEL (for example, switching from the power supply state ofFIG.2to the power supply state ofFIG.3). In addition, after the voltage V2is set according to the voltage V1, the control circuit13can turn off the voltage regulation circuit11to stop generating the voltage V1. In this manner, during the process of switching the switch circuit13from the first state to the second state, the current provided to the load circuit102can be gently converted from being originally supplied by the voltage regulation circuit11into being supplied by the voltage regulation circuit12, thereby reducing the adverse effect on the load circuit102due to the change of power supply.

In an exemplary embodiment, the operation of setting the voltage V2according to the voltage V1may also be setting the voltage V2to be close to or the same as the voltage V1by the voltage regulation circuit12. In this way, in the process of switching the switch circuit13from the first state to the second state or from the second state to the first state, the voltages V1and V2can become consistent, so that the current provided to the load circuit102can be gently switched between being supplied by the voltage regulation circuit11and the voltage regulation circuit12.

In an exemplary embodiment, the control circuit13can detect the voltage11in real time at the output terminal of the voltage regulation circuit11. Based on the detected voltage11, the control circuit13can instruct the voltage regulation circuit12to regulate the voltage V2, for example, to make the voltage V2follow or be close to the voltage11.

FIG.4is a schematic view of a first voltage regulation circuit according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. Referring toFIG.1andFIG.4, the voltage regulation circuit11may include a switching element401, an inductance element L1, and a capacitance element C1. The switching element401can be in an ON or OFF state to charge or discharge the inductance element L1, so as to generate an output voltage Vout according to the input voltage Vin. In addition, the voltage V1can be generated according to the output voltage Vout ofFIG.4. It should be noted that in different exemplary embodiments, the configuration of the electronic components in the voltage regulation circuit11can be adjusted according to practical requirements to meet the functional requirements of the corresponding DC/DC regulator.

FIG.5is a schematic view of a second voltage regulation circuit according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. Referring toFIG.1andFIG.5, the voltage regulation circuit12may include an error amplifier501, a transistor element502, an impedance element R1, an impedance element R2, and a reference voltage Vref. The error amplifier501can control the voltage difference between the two ends of the transistor element502according to the voltage Vfb and the reference voltage Vref, thereby regulating the output voltage Vout. In other words, the error amplifier501can feed back the output voltage Vout to the regulation of the voltage difference between the two ends of the transistor element502, thereby affecting the output voltage Vout. The voltage V2can be generated according to the output voltage Vout ofFIG.5.

In an exemplary embodiment, during the period when the voltage V2is set according to the voltage V1, the control circuit13ofFIG.1may set the voltage Vref according to the voltage V1. For example, the voltage Vref is directed to or coupled to the output terminal of the voltage regulation circuit11. For example, the voltage Vref can be coupled to the output terminal of the voltage regulation circuit11through a voltage divider circuit. This voltage divider circuit can be used to convert the voltage V1at the output terminal of the voltage regulation circuit11into a voltage Vref (for example, Vref=V1*R2/(R1+R2)). In this way, during the period when the voltage V2is set according to the voltage V1, the output voltage Vout can gradually become close to or the same as the voltage V1. It should be noted that in different exemplary embodiments, the configuration of the electronic components in the voltage regulation circuit12can be adjusted according to practical requirements to meet the functional requirements of the corresponding LDO regulator.

In an exemplary embodiment ofFIG.1, the load circuit101may include a rewritable non-volatile memory module, and the load circuit102may include a peripheral component interconnect express (PCI Express, PCIe) interface. However, in another exemplary embodiment, the load circuits101and102may also include other types of electronic circuits or electronic devices.

In an exemplary embodiment, the switching power supply module10mentioned in the foregoing exemplary embodiment may be disposed in a memory storage device. However, in another exemplary embodiment, the switching power supply module10can also be disposed in other types of electronic devices, and is not limited to a memory storage device.

In an exemplary embodiment, a memory storage device (also known as a memory storage system) includes a rewritable non-volatile memory module and a controller (also known as a control circuit). Generally, the memory storage device is used together with a host system, so that the host system can write data to the memory storage device or read data from the memory storage device.

FIG.6is a schematic view of a memory storage device according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. Referring toFIG.6, the memory storage device600includes a switching power supply module60, a rewritable non-volatile memory module61, and a PCI express (PCIe) interface62. The rewritable non-volatile memory module61can be used to store data from the host system. The PCIe interface62can be used to connect to a host system.

The switching power supply module60may include a switching power supply module10ofFIG.1. The rewritable non-volatile memory module61may be regarded as the load circuit101ofFIG.1, and the PCIe interface62may be regarded as the load circuit102ofFIG.1. The switching power supply module60can use power supplies P1and P2to supply power to the rewritable non-volatile memory modules61and62, respectively. For example, the power supply P1can be provided by the voltage regulation circuit11inFIG.1, and the power supply P2can be selectively provided by the voltage regulation circuit11or12inFIG.1under different states of the switching power supply module60. For details of related operations, please refer to the descriptions of the foregoing exemplary embodiments, and no further description is incorporated herein. In addition, in an exemplary embodiment, the rewritable non-volatile memory module61and/or the PCIe interface62can also be substituted by other types of electronic circuits or electronic devices, which are not limited by the disclosure.

The rewritable non-volatile memory module61is used to store data written by the host system. The rewritable non-volatile memory module61may include a single level cell (SLC) NAND flash memory module (that is, each memory cell of a SLC NAND flash memory module is capable of storing 1 bit of data), a multi level cell (MLC) NAND flash memory module (that is, each memory cell of an MLC NAND flash memory module is capable of storing 2 bits of data), a triple level cell (TLC) NAND flash memory module (that is, each memory cell of a TLC NAND flash memory module is capable of storing 3 bits of data), a quad level cell (QLC) NAND flash memory module (that is, each memory cell of a QLC NAND flash memory module is capable of storing 4 bits of data), other flash memory modules, or other memory modules with the same characteristics.

In summary, the switching power supply module provided by the exemplary embodiment of the disclosure can selectively conduct or switch the power supply paths of different types of voltage regulation circuits (such as DC/DC regulators and LDO regulators), so as to achieve the best economic benefits of these voltage regulation circuits in joint operation. In addition, by making the output voltage of the LDO regulator to follow or become close to the output voltage of the DC/DC regulator in advance during the switching of the power supply paths, the adverse effects on the load circuit caused by the switching of the power supply paths can be reduced.

Although the present disclosure has been disclosed in the above embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present disclosure. Anyone with ordinary knowledge in the technical field can make some changes and modification without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope to be protected by the present disclosure shall be subject to the scope of the attached claims.