Abstract: A multiphase switching regulator includes a power stage with at least a first phase and a second phase for supplying power to a load through inductors coupling the phases to the load. The multiphase switching regulator is operated by switching the first phase at a higher switching frequency than the second phase via pulse width modulation (PWM) signals provided to the phases. A phase-specific target current is generated for each phase at the switching frequency for that phase based on the difference between an output voltage of the power stage and a reference voltage. The current in the inductors coupling the phases to the load is sensed, and a duty cycle of the PWM signal provided to each phase is adjusted based on the phase-specific target current and sensed inductor current for that phase.

Abstract: A switching regulator includes a power stage for coupling to a load through an inductor. The power stage switches so that the power stage sources positive current to the load through a first transistor of the power stage during some periods and sinks negative current from the load through a second transistor of the power stage during other periods. The switching regulator further includes a protection circuit operable to force the second transistor into an off-state state responsive to the negative current flowing through the inductor exceeding a predetermined negative threshold.

Abstract: A switching regulator includes a controller and a power stage for coupling to a load through an inductor and a capacitor. The a controller is operable to control operation of the power stage via a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal generated based on a difference between a reference voltage and the load voltage and sample the inductor current at a lower rate than the load voltage. The controller is further operable to estimate the capacitor current based on the sampled load voltage, generate an offset to the reference voltage based on the sampled inductor current and the estimated capacitor current and adjust the PWM signal applied to the power stage based on the offset. The switching regulator can be single-phase or multi-phase.

Abstract: A switching regulator includes a multiphase converter which includes a plurality of main phases configured to covert a power supply voltage to a lower voltage for application to an electronic device at different load conditions. The switching regulator also includes an auxiliary phase configured to operate in a pulse frequency modulation mode during a light load condition so that power is supplied to the electronic device by at least the auxiliary phase during the light load condition.

Abstract: A power semiconductor module includes a power semiconductor die, a metal substrate, a patterned metallization layer, a plurality of padless electrical connections, a plurality of vias and an inductor. The power semiconductor die has a top surface, an opposing bottom surface and a plurality of sides extending between the top and bottom surfaces. The metal substrate is attached to the bottom surface of the die. The patterned metallization layer is disposed above the top surface of the die. The plurality of padless electrical connections are at the top surface of the die and connect the patterned metallization layer to the die. The plurality of vias are disposed adjacent one or more of the sides of the die and electrically connected to the patterned metallization layer at a first end of the plurality of vias and to the metal substrate at a second end of the plurality of vias.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-phase pulse width modulated voltage regulator and method in which transient voltage excursions or deviations that exceed the load line voltage by more than a pre-determined amount are detected by an ATR circuit and a correction signal is applied. The correction signal is in the form of asynchronous pulses and the number of such pulses is a function of the magnitude of the voltage excursion as determined by the number of thresholds that are exceeded. Also disclosed is an adaptive voltage positioning (AVP) circuit and method for early detection of a transient event by sensing voltage changes at the load and adjusting the target voltage with pre-determined current values prior to the time that ATR event changes in the current at the load are detected.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-phase power regulator that accurately senses current at a load in a lossless manner and adjusts the power supplied to the load based on the sensed current. Also disclosed is a method of calibrating a multiphase voltage regulator by applying a known calibration current at the load and determining actual current values by the difference in measured values between when the known calibration current is applied and when it is not applied. The accurate current is determined at a known temperature and accurate temperature compensation is provided by a non-linear digital technique. Each phase of the multi-phase power regulator is individually calibrated so that balanced channels provide accurate power to the load. Also disclosed is a calibration method with minimal noise generation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-phase pulse width modulated voltage regulator and method in which transient voltage excursions or deviations that exceed the load line voltage by more than a pre-determined amount are detected by an ATR circuit and a correction signal is applied. The correction signal is in the form of asynchronous pulses and the number of such pulses is a function of the magnitude of the voltage excursion as determined by the number of thresholds that are exceeded. Also disclosed is an adaptive voltage positioning (AVP) circuit and method for early detection of a transient event by sensing voltage changes at the load and adjusting the target voltage with pre-determined current values prior to the time that ATR event changes in the current at the load are detected.

Abstract: A dual loop (PLL/DLL) data synchronization system and method for plesiochronous systems is provided. A dual loop data serializer includes a phase lock loop (PLL) and a delayed lock loop (DLL) configured with a phase shifter in the feedback path of the PLL. The dual loop serializer locks to the input of the DLL instead of the local reference. Thus, the DLL adjusts the frequency from the PLL so that it matches the desired data rate. Each loop may be optimized for jitter tolerance with the net effect generating a synthesized clean clock (due to narrow bandwidth filtering) and VCO noise suppression (due to wide bandwidth filtering). A dual loop retimer includes a dual loop serializer (PLL/DLL) and a clock recovery DLL. The retimer resets the jitter budget to meet transmission requirements for an infinite number of repeater stages.

Abstract: A device for providing power to suppress transient load demands and a system including the device are disclosed. The device includes a sense circuit to detect when a transient event occurs and one or more transistors configured to supply or sink current to the load. The system may include a second power regulator configured to respond to fast transient power demands. In this case, a first power regulator supplies power to the load and responds to slow transient events, while the second regulator responds only to fast transient events.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-phase pulse width modulated voltage regulator and method in which transient voltage excursions or deviations that exceed the load line voltage by more than a pre-determined amount are detected by an ATR circuit and a correction signal is applied. The correction signal is in the form of asynchronous pulses and the number of such pulses is a function of the magnitude of the voltage excursion as determined by the number of thresholds that are exceeded. Also disclosed is an adaptive voltage positioning (AVP) circuit and method for early detection of a transient event by sensing voltage changes at the load and adjusting the target voltage with pre-determined current values prior to the time that ATR event changes in the current at the load are detected.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-phase pulse width modulated voltage regulator and method in which transient voltage excursions or deviations that exceed the load line voltage by more than a pre-determined amount are detected by an ATR circuit and a correction signal is applied. The correction signal is in the form of asynchronous pulses and the number of such pulses is a function of the magnitude of the voltage excursion as determined by the number of thresholds that are exceeded. Also disclosed is an adaptive voltage positioning (AVP) circuit and method for early detection of a transient event by sensing voltage changes at the load and adjusting the target voltage with pre-determined current values prior to the time that ATR event changes in the current at the load are detected. The AVP load line is pre-positioned for more precise current control. Also disclosed is an adaptive filter with adjustable frequency characteristics in response to an ATR event. Also disclosed is a pulse limiting circuit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a power regulator for providing precisely regulated power to a microelectronic device such as a microprocessor. Improved power regulation is accomplished by optimizing the power efficiency of the power regulator. In particular, in a multiphase system, the number of active phases is increased or decreased to achieve optimum power efficiency. The multiphase voltage regulator adapts the operating mode to maximize efficiency as the load current demand of the load device changes by adjusting the number of active phases to maximize efficiency. The total value of current provided by the regulator and the total number of active phases is determined, the total number of active phases is compared with the number of active phases required to provide the total value of current at maximum efficiency; and the number of active phases is adjusted to provide the total value of current at maximum efficiency.

Abstract: A device for providing power to suppress transient load demands and a system including the device are disclosed. The device includes a sense circuit to detect when a transient event occurs and one or more transistors configured to supply or sink current to the load. The system may include a second power regulator configured to respond to fast transient power demands. In this case, a first power regulator supplies power to the load and responds to slow transient events, while the second regulator responds only to fast transient events.

Abstract: A dual loop (PLL/DLL) data synchronization system and method for plesiochronous systems is provided. In particular, a system and method for dual loop data synchronization using a granular FIFO fill level indicator is provided. A dual loop data serializer includes a phase lock loop (PLL) and a delayed lock loop (DLL) configured with a phase shifter in the feedback path of the PLL. The dual loop serializer locks to the input of the DLL, which represents a fill level of a FIFO. A granular FIFO fill level indicator of the DLL provides input to the phase shifter to adjust the frequency of the PLL accordingly. Thus, the frequency of the data input rate can be controlled and a constant fill level of the FIFO can be maintained. A dual loop retimer includes a dual loop serializer (PLL/DLL) and a clock recovery DLL. The retimer resets the jitter budget to meet transmission requirements for an infinite number of repeater stages.

Abstract: A regulator system for supplying power to a microelectronic device is disclosed. The system includes an array of a plurality of regulators, where each regulator provides a portion of power required to operate the device. The system may further include an intermediate power regulator that supplies power to the array of regulators.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-phase power regulator that accurately senses current at a load in a lossless manner and adjusts the power supplied to the load based on the sensed current. Also disclosed is a method of calibrating a multiphase voltage regulator by applying a known calibration current at the load and determining actual current values by the difference in measured values between when the known calibration current is applied and when it is not applied. The accurate current is determined at a known temperature and accurate temperature compensation is provided by a non-linear digital technique. Each phase of the multi-phase power regulator is individually calibrated so that balanced channels provide accurate power to the load. Also disclosed is a calibration method with minimal noise generation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fine resolution pulse width generator for use in a multiphase pulse width modulated voltage regulator. The fine pulse width is generated by first generating a pulse with a coarse pulse width and one or more delayed replicas thereof. Then, digitally controlled analog interpolators are used to generate the fine resolution pulse width pulse by interpolating among the coarse pulse width pulses. Both single edge and double edge modulation embodiments are disclosed providing interpolation of just the trailing edges of the coarse pulses or both the leading and trailing edges, respectively. The disclosed fine resolution pulse generator uses counters, thermometer encoders and analog interpolators to achieve interpolation accurately by insuring that each interpolation step corresponds to an equal weight. Accuracy of the interpolation is defined by the linearity (i.e. how well the interpolation fits a best fit straight line) and monotonicity (i.e. how each step contributes a positive weight to the total).

Abstract: Disclosed is a digitally controlled multi-phase voltage regulator system providing regulated power to electronic components that have variable power requirements. Power is supplied by one or more power integrated circuits (IC) each having a high side power switch controlled by pulse width modulated signals and a low side power switch. The power IC senses voltage at the load and has an on-chip current mirror for generating a current that is a ratio of current delivered to the load. The power IC also has current limiting and on-chip temperature sensing components. The voltage and current information is digitized and provided to a control integrated circuit (IC). The control IC receives this digitized information as well as user provided parameters and, in the regulation mode of operation, provides digitized pulse width modulated control signals to the power IC. In an active transient response mode of operation, the control IC provides signals to turn either the high side switches or low side switches ON.

Abstract: A highly phased power regulation (converter) system having an improved control feature is provided. A controller, such as a digital signal processor or microprocessor, receives digital information from a plurality of power conversion blocks and transmits control commands in response to the information. The controller is able to change the mode of operation of the system and/or re-phase the power blocks to accommodate a dynamic load requirement, occasions of high transient response or detection of a fault. A compensation block within the controller is used to regulate the output voltage and provide stability to the system. In one embodiment, the controller is implemented as a PID compensator controller. In another embodiment, a microprocessor is able to receive feedback on its own operation thus providing enabling the controller to anticipate and predict conditions by analyzing precursor data.