Abstract: A transient current generator for testing microelectronic power regulator systems is provided. The current generator includes a current source and one or more transistors to provide current or sink current to a microelectronic power delivery system. The generator may be used to test a microprocessor power delivery system by replacing the microprocessor with one or more of the generators of the present invention.

Abstract: A system for coupling optoelectronic devices, associated electrical components, and optical fibers is described. The system includes a substrate to which optoelectronic devices and at least some of the associated electronic components are formed on or formed using the substrate material. The substrate is further configured to receive and attach to one or more optical fibers. The system can be used to form transceivers for multiplexing and/or demultiplexing electronic information.

Abstract: A serial bus control method, apparatus, and system for transmitting signals between a master controller and a slave controller associated with a power regulator are disclosed. The serial bus control scheme allows for information to be written to or read from individual regulators or be written to read from all regulators that are coupled to the master controller.

Abstract: An improved optical interconnect structure, system including the structure, and method of forming the structure and system are disclosed. The optical interconnect structure includes a waveguide and a reflective structure. Either the waveguide, the reflective structure, or both include a curved surface to facilitate focusing of light transmitted between the waveguide and an optoelectronic device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting the presence of a valid signal includes an offset generator coupled to a pair of data slicers and an XOR gate. The offset generator is configured to both add and subtract a predetermined voltage to an input voltage in its two outputs. The two outputs of the offset generator are both compared to a predetermined value in a pair of data slicers. If the outputs of the data slicers are the same (i.e., either both offset signals are positive or both are negative), then a valid signal is indicated.

Abstract: A sense circuit and a system including a sense circuit are disclosed. The sense circuit is configured to measure and change in current with respect to time and/or a change in voltage across a portion of a substrate.

Abstract: Currents flowing in the various channels within a voltage regulator module (VRM) are suitably converted to digital equivalents that can be processed to control each module in a modular power supply. Functions that may be digitally implemented include current balancing between channels, current sharing between various modules in a power supply, and/or the like. By monitoring the current provided on each channel within a module, for example, a controller can determine an average current for the channels, which in turn can be used to identify and compensate for over- or under-production in any particular channel. Active voltage positioning techniques and overload protection may also be implemented using digital techniques.

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: A control system, method and apparatus is provided for an orthogonally variable inductor. A method and apparatus is also provided for voltage regulation. Regulation is provided without the use of Silicon devices, such as FET's, in the output current path. Efficient voltage regulation is provided via varying the inductance of a device in the output current path, and alternatively via varying the inductance and duty cycle. An orthogonal inductive device is provided to vary the inductance in the output current path. The orthogonal inductive device is an external H field device, a series method orthogonal flux device, or a combined core device. Furthermore, a variable inductor is also provided in filters, amplifiers, and oscillators.

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: A high speed ring voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) system is provided. The ring VCO system includes a plurality of interpolation stages coupled in a “look-ahead” configuration. Each interpolation stage receives two signal inputs and outputs a single differential voltage representative of a time delay interpolation between the two input signals. In accordance with the invention, each interpolation stage receives a first signal input from the immediately previous stage and a second signal input from the output of a different stage. In this manner, the delay stages in the ring VCO can generate a variable delay by interpolating between inputs with small relative delays without adding additional delay to the total loop delay.

Abstract: A wideband voltage regulator is configured to provide suppression of fast transients, which can include a boosting circuit and a sensing circuit. The boosting circuit can be suitably configured to boost the voltage regulator response, while the sensing circuit can determine when such a boost may be desired. Accordingly, the response of the voltage regulator can be accelerated to a fast load transient beyond the closed loop bandwidth limited response or the slew rate limited response of the voltage regulator. An exemplary voltage regulator can be configured with an active sensing circuit comprising a sensing amplifier with switch control outputs, and a boosting circuit comprising N stored charge sources, e.g.; boost capacitors, and (3N−1) switches that are configured to accelerate the voltage regulators response to a fast load transient beyond the closed loop bandwidth limited or slew rate limited response of the voltage regulator.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved system and method for transmitting and receiving digital data. In order to counter the spatial filtering effects of a digital data bus, data is spatially filtered by a driver before being sent on the digital data bus to its destination. In the alternative, the data may be spatially filtered by a receiver after being sent on the digital data bus. The spatial filter may include one or more current-limiting elements, such as a resistor or a transistor, coupled between the power supply and the various buffers on the bus. Such a configuration results in a lowering of the crosstalk and ground bounce present between adjacent lines on a data bus.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing regulated power to a microelectronic device is disclosed. The apparatus includes an array of power regulators that are coupled together and which are configured to provide power to various portions of the microelectronic device. The array includes filters to determine a frequency of power demanded by the device and transistors configured to provide power in the demanded frequency range.

Abstract: A shunt voltage regulator for a processor is disposed on the processor package. The shunt voltage regulator responds to AC transients. One embodiment includes a DC power converter voltage regulator that is disposed off the processor package, and that is optimized for DC power conversion. Another embodiment includes a method of improving fabrication yield for a packaged processor.

Abstract: The present invention includes a system and method for improving phase selection using a phase selector system. An exemplary phase selector system of the present invention includes a high speed phase selector having control logic, XOR gates, and a selector. The control logic uses Gray coding to generate one or more control signals. For example, the control logic uses a 3 bit word to select a phase for clock recovery. A selector coupled to the control logic determines the phase selected. XOR gates coupled between the control logic and the selector provide eight phases of a clock using four input phases of the clock with inversion. In this manner, a four to one selector can choose one of eight phases from the XOR gates to aid in clock recovery. The selector control logic has a continuous output phase during a change to an adjacent phase, which substantially prevents glitching on the clock.

Abstract: A method for converting power includes charging an inductor by coupling the inductor to a voltage source for a predetermined amount of time. Thereafter, the inductor is discharged by coupling the inductor to a ground until the current flowing through the inductor equals zero. A method for detecting a zero current flowing through the inductor includes coupling the inductor to a transistor and comparing the output of that transistor to a transistor coupled to ground.

Abstract: A wideband voltage regulator is configured to provide suppression of fast transients, which can include a boosting circuit and a sensing circuit. The boosting circuit can be suitably configured to boost the voltage regulator response, while the sensing circuit can determine when such a boost may be desired. Accordingly, the response of the voltage regulator can be accelerated to a fast load transient beyond the closed loop bandwidth limited response or the slew rate limited response of the voltage regulator. An exemplary voltage regulator can be configured with an active sensing circuit comprising a sensing amplifier with switch control outputs, and a boosting circuit comprising N stored charge sources, e.g.; boost capacitors, and (3N−1) switches that are configured to accelerate the voltage regulators response to a fast load transient beyond the closed loop bandwidth limited or slew rate limited response of the voltage regulator.

Abstract: A method and circuit for pre-emphasis equalization of a high speed data communication system can be provided through the use of programmable pulse shaping. A data communication system configured with the pre-emphasis equalization circuit operates by receiving an input data stream and outputting a data stream for transmission through an interconnect or other transmission channel. The data can be passed through an output buffer configured with programmable pre-emphasis equalization, having input inverters at an input stage and output inverters at an output stage. During operation, once an input signal to the input stage transitions, for example from a low to a high state, an input signal to the output stage is configured to a full amplitude to drive the transmission channel. Once the output stage transitions to a full amplitude, the input of the output stage is configured closer to a mid-scale amplitude.

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. In one embodiment, a microprocessor receives digital information and converted power from one or more power blocks. In this manner, the microprocessor is able to receive feedback on its own operation. The controller is also able to anticipate and predict conditions by analyzing precursor data. In this manner, the controller is able to modify the system as needed in anticipation of the forthcoming event.