Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe methods, apparatuses, and systems for hybrid low dropout regulator (LDO) architecture and realization to provide high power supply rejection ratio (PSRR) and high conversion efficiency (CE), and other benefits. The hybrid LDO may be coupled with dual rails for its analog LDO branch and digital LDO respectively to achieve high PSRR and high CE by utilizing the hybrid architecture with several feedback loops. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for providing an inductor with an integrated circuit (IC) die. In an embodiment, the IC die comprises integrated circuitry and one or more first metallization layers. The IC die is configured to couple to a circuit device including one or more second metallization layers, where such coupling results in the formation of an inductor which is coupled to the integrated circuitry. One or more loop structures of the inductor each span both some or all of the one or more first metallization layers and some or all of the one or more second metallization layers. In another embodiment, the IC die or the circuit device includes a ferromagnetic material to concentrate a magnetic flux which is provided with the inductor.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for determining a mode of operation of a switched capacitor voltage regulator (SCVR). In an embodiment, a controller supports multiple modes of operation of the SCVR, wherein the modes each correspond to a different respective sequence of switch states of a converter core of the SCVR. One of the modes is to provide boost voltage regulation with the SCVR. The controller transitions seamlessly and autonomously between two modes based on respective reference switch states of the two modes. In another embodiment, a mode transition is performed based on a signal which a control sensor generates based on a rate of switch events of the voltage regulator, and predetermined reference information indicating current characteristics of the voltage regulator.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include a coupled inductor. In an embodiment, the coupled inductor comprises a first inductor and a second inductor. In an embodiment, the first inductor can be coupled to the first inductor. In an embodiment, the coupled inductor further comprises a first switch coupled to the first inductor, where the first switch comprises gallium and nitrogen, and a second switch coupled to the second inductor, where the second switch comprises gallium and nitrogen.

Abstract: A current sensing topology uses an amplifier with capacitively coupled inputs in feedback to sense the input offset of the amplifier, which can be compensated for during measurement. The amplifier with capacitively coupled inputs in feedback is used to: operate the amplifier in a region where the input common-mode specifications are relaxed, so that the feedback loop gain and/or bandwidth is higher; operate the sensor from the converter input voltage by employing high-PSRR (power supply rejection ratio) regulators to create a local, clean supply voltage, causing less disruption to the power grid in the switch area; sample the difference between the input voltage and the controller supply, and recreate that between the drain voltages of the power and replica switches; and compensate for power delivery network related (PDN-related) changes in the input voltage during current sensing.

Abstract: A single inductor multiple output DC-to-DC converter may be configured as a buck-boost converter. The converter may include an inductor, a plurality of switches coupled to the inductor to control energizing and deenergizing phases of the inductor, and a plurality of output rails. Each of the plurality of output rails may include at least one switch, which is configured to connect the output rail to the inductor of the buck-boost converter. Depending on the energizing and deenergizing patterns of the inductor, and the state of the one or more switches, the various output rails may be supplied with a plurality of different output voltages and / or output currents. Any of a plurality of regulating strategies may be utilized to further control the output voltages and / or the output currents.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for providing an output voltage using any of multiple configurable modes of a switched capacitor voltage regulator (SCVR). In an embodiment, a switched capacitor (SC) voltage converter comprising buses, and cores each coupled to the buses. A first core of the cores comprises a capacitor, and a switch network by which a terminal of the capacitor is to be switchedly coupled to first ones of the buses. Controller circuitry is coupled to operate the SC voltage converter according to a currently configured one of the modes. The modes each correspond to a different respective sequence of switch states to be provided with the switch network. In an embodiment, a first switch state sequence and a second switch state sequence each include a different respective total number of switch states.

Abstract: A Computational Digital Low Dropout (CDLDO) regulator is described that computes a required solution for regulating an output supply as opposed to traditional feedback controllers. The CDLDO regulator is Moore's Law friendly in that it can scale with technology nodes. For example, CDLDO regulator of some embodiments uses a digital approach to voltage regulation, which is orders of magnitude faster than traditional digital LDOs and enables regulation at GHz speeds, making fast dynamic DVFS a reality. The CDLDO also autonomously tunes out the effects of process-voltage-temperature (PVT) and other non-idealities making the settling time totally variation tolerant.

Abstract: A digital control scheme controls an integrator of a PID filter to implement non-linear control of saturating the duty cycle during which the proportional and derivative terms of the PID filter are set to 0 while the integrator and its internal states (previous values or memory) is set to a duty cycle that is the sum of the current nominal duty cycle plus a deltaD. The deltaD is the maximum duty cycle increment that is used to regulate a voltage regulator from ICCmin to ICCmax and is a configuration register that can be set post silicon. An FSM moves from a non-linear all ON state to an open loop duty cycle which maintains the output voltage slightly higher than the required Vref. After a certain period in this open loop, the FSM then ramps down the open loop duty cycle value until the output voltage is close to the Vref.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for providing an inductor with an integrated circuit (IC) die. In an embodiment, the IC die comprises integrated circuitry and one or more first metallization layers. The IC die is configured to couple to a circuit device including one or more second metallization layers, where such coupling results in the formation of an inductor which is coupled to the integrated circuitry. One or more loop structures of the inductor each span both some or all of the one or more first metallization layers and some or all of the one or more second metallization layers. In another embodiment, the IC die or the circuit device includes a ferromagnetic material to concentrate a magnetic flux which is provided with the inductor.

Abstract: A 3-level ripple quantization scheme provides power transistor (MOS) strength-tuning mechanism focused on the transient clamp period. The 3-level ripple quantization scheme solves the digital low dropout's (D-LDO's) tradeoff between silicon area (e.g., decoupling capacitor size), quiescent power consumption (e.g., speed of comparators), wide load range, and optimal output ripple. The 3-level ripple quantization scheme eliminates oscillation risk from either wide dynamic range or parasitic by exploiting asynchronous pulse patterns. As such, ripple magnitude for both fast di/dt loading events and various steady-state scenarios are shrunk effectively, resulting significant efficiency benefits.

Abstract: A power supply architecture combines the benefits of a traditional single stage power delivery, when there are no additional power losses in the integrated VR with low VID and low CPU losses of FIVR (fully integrated voltage regulator) and D-LVR (digital linear voltage regulator). The D-LVR is not in series with the main power flow, but in parallel. By placing the digital-LVR in parallel to a primary VR (e.g., motherboard VR), the CPU VID is lowered and the processor core power consumption is lowered. The power supply architecture reduces the guard band for input power supply level, thereby reducing the overall power consumption because the motherboard VR specifications can be relaxed, saving cost and power. The power supply architecture drastically increases the CPU performance at a small extra cost for the silicon and low complexity of tuning.

Abstract: Voltage dividing circuitry is provided for use in a voltage converter for converting at least one input Direct Current, DC voltage to a plurality of output DC voltages. The voltage dividing circuitry including a voltage input port to receive an input DC voltage and an inductor having an input-side switch node and an output-side switch node. The output side switch node is connectable to one of a plurality of voltage output ports to supply a converted value of the input DC voltage as an output DC voltage. The flying capacitor interface has a plurality of switching elements and at least one flying capacitor, the flying capacitor interface to divide the input DC voltage to provide a predetermined fixed ratio of the input DC voltage at the input-side switch node of the inductor. A voltage converter and a power management integrated circuit having the voltage dividing circuitry are also provided.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for providing an inductor with an integrated circuit (IC) die. In an embodiment, the IC die comprises integrated circuitry and one or more first metallization layers. The IC die is configured to couple to a circuit device including one or more second metallization layers, where such coupling results in the formation of an inductor which is coupled to the integrated circuitry. One or more loop structures of the inductor each span both some or all of the one or more first metallization layers and some or all of the one or more second metallization layers. In another embodiment, the IC die or the circuit device includes a ferromagnetic material to concentrate a magnetic flux which is provided with the inductor.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for resisting side-channel attacks on cryptographic engines are described herein. An apparatus embodiment includes a cryptographic block coupled to a non-linear low-dropout voltage regulator (NL-LDO). The NL-LDO includes a scalable power train to provide a variable load current to the cryptographic block, randomization circuitry to generate randomized values for setting a plurality of parameters, and a controller to adjust the variable load current provided to the cryptographic block based on the parameters and the current voltage of the cryptographic block. The controller to cause a decrease in the variable load current when the current voltage is above a high voltage threshold, an increase in the variable load current when the current voltage is below a low voltage threshold; and a maximization of the variable load current when the current voltage is below an undervoltage threshold. The cryptographic block may be implemented with arithmetic transformations.

Abstract: A digital self-start controller, which is functional without fuse and/or trim information. The self-start controller protects a DC-DC converter against large inrush currents and voltage overshoots, while being capable of following a variable VID (voltage identification) reference ramp imposed by the system. The self-start controller uses a relaxation oscillator to set the switching frequency of the DC-DC converter. The oscillator can be initialized using either a clock or current reference to be close to a desired operating frequency. The output of the DC-DC converter is coupled weakly to the oscillator to set the duty cycle for closed loop operation. The controller is naturally biased such that the output supply voltage is always slightly higher than a set point, eliminating the need for any process, voltage, and/or temperature (PVT) imposed trims.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include power transformers for microelectronic devices. In an embodiment, a power transformer comprises a magnetic core that is a closed loop with an inner dimension and an outer dimension, and a primary winding around the magnetic core. In an embodiment, the primary winding has a first number of first turns connected in series around the magnetic core. In an embodiment, a secondary winding is around the magnetic core, and the secondary winding has a second number of second turns around the magnetic core. In an embodiment, individual ones of the second turns comprise a plurality of secondary segments connected in parallel.

Abstract: A current sensing topology uses an amplifier with capacitively coupled inputs in feedback to sense the input offset of the amplifier, which can be compensated for during measurement. The amplifier with capacitively coupled inputs in feedback is used to: operate the amplifier in a region where the input common-mode specifications are relaxed, so that the feedback loop gain and/or bandwidth is higher; operate the sensor from the converter input voltage by employing high-PSRR (power supply rejection ratio) regulators to create a local, clean supply voltage, causing less disruption to the power grid in the switch area; sample the difference between the input voltage and the controller supply, and recreate that between the drain voltages of the power and replica switches; and compensate for power delivery network related (PDN-related) changes in the input voltage during current sensing.

Abstract: A digital self-start controller, which is functional without fuse and/or trim information. The self-start controller protects a DC-DC converter against large inrush currents and voltage overshoots, while being capable of following a variable VID (voltage identification) reference ramp imposed by the system. The self-start controller uses a relaxation oscillator to set the switching frequency of the DC-DC converter. The oscillator can be initialized using either a clock or current reference to be close to a desired operating frequency. The output of the DC-DC converter is coupled weakly to the oscillator to set the duty cycle for closed loop operation. The controller is naturally biased such that the output supply voltage is always slightly higher than a set point, eliminating the need for any process, voltage, and/or temperature (PVT) imposed trims.

Abstract: A digital control scheme controls an integrator of a PID filter to implement non-linear control of saturating the duty cycle during which the proportional and derivative terms of the PID filter are set to 0 while the integrator and its internal states (previous values or memory) is set to a duty cycle that is the sum of the current nominal duty cycle plus a deltaD. The deltaD is the maximum duty cycle increment that is used to regulate a voltage regulator from ICCmin to ICCmax and is a configuration register that can be set post silicon. An FSM moves from a non-linear all ON state to an open loop duty cycle which maintains the output voltage slightly higher than the required Vref. After a certain period in this open loop, the FSM then ramps down the open loop duty cycle value until the output voltage is close to the Vref.