Abstract: Phase reassignment among power converters is disclosed. Multi-phase power converters of a plurality are arranged such that the various phases of each can be shared. When a given power converter has a high demand current and a phase of another power converter in the same group is currently unused, that phase may be borrowed by the given power converter to meet the demand current. The power converter that borrows a phase from another power converter is designated as the leader, while the borrowed phase is designated as a follower. The regulated supply voltage is determined by the leader power converter, irrespective of the regulated output voltage to be generated by the power converter from which another phase is borrowed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adding and shedding phases in a multi-phase power converter is disclosed. A power converter includes a plurality of voltage regulators including a given voltage regulator configured to generate, when active, a particular output voltage on a regulated power supply node. The power converter further includes a control circuit. The control circuit is configured determine an amount of output current being supplied to the regulated power supply node by active ones of the plurality of voltage regulator circuits. The control circuit is further configured to adjust a number of voltage regulator circuits that are active based on the output current and one or more environmental parameters associated with the plurality of voltage regulator circuits.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adding and shedding phases in a multi-phase power converter is disclosed. A power converter includes a plurality of voltage regulators including a given voltage regulator configured to generate, when active, a particular output voltage on a regulated power supply node. The power converter further includes a control circuit. The control circuit is configured determine an amount of output current being supplied to the regulated power supply node by active ones of the plurality of voltage regulator circuits. The control circuit is further configured to adjust a number of voltage regulator circuits that are active based on the output current and one or more environmental parameters associated with the plurality of voltage regulator circuits.

Abstract: A voltage regulator circuit included in a computer system may include multiple devices and a switch node coupled to a regulated power supply node via an inductor. The voltage regulator circuit may charge a capacitor using an input power supply signal, and couple the capacitor to the switch node using respective subsets of the multiple devices, which are selected based on one or more control signals. A control circuit may generate the one or more control signals based on a particular switching sequence, which is selected based on a ratio of a voltage level of the regulated power supply node and a voltage level input power supply signal.

Abstract: A voltage regulator circuit included in a computer system may include multiple devices and a switch node coupled to a regulated power supply node via an inductor. The voltage regulator circuit may, using different subsets of the multiple devices, charge a capacitor for a first period of time and then couple the switch node to the capacitor for a second period of time. A control circuit may sense, using a common circuit, different characteristics of a current through the inductor during respective operation modes, and adjust the first and second periods of time based on the different characteristics of the current and a current operation mode.

Abstract: A voltage regulator circuit included in a computer system may include multiple devices and a switch node coupled to a regulated power supply node via an inductor. The voltage regulator circuit may, using different subsets of the multiple devices, charge a capacitor for a first period of time and then couple the switch node to the capacitor for a second period of time. A control circuit may sense, using a common circuit, different characteristics of a current through the inductor during respective operation modes, and adjust the first and second periods of time based on the different characteristics of the current and a current operation mode.

Abstract: A voltage regulator circuit included in a computer system may include multiple devices and a switch node coupled to a regulated power supply node via an inductor. The voltage regulator circuit may charge a capacitor using an input power supply signal, and couple the capacitor to the switch node using respective subsets of the multiple devices, which are selected based on one or more control signals. A control circuit may generate the one or more control signals based on a particular switching sequence, which is selected based on a ratio of a voltage level of the regulated power supply node and a voltage level input power supply signal.

Abstract: A voltage regulator circuit included in a computer system may include multiple devices and a switch node coupled to a regulated power supply node via an inductor. The voltage regulator circuit may couple the switch node to a capacitor for different periods of time using respective different subsets of the multiple devices. A control circuit may modify active times of control signals coupled to the multiple devices based on voltage samples of the switch node in order to adjust the durations of the different periods of time.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an inductor coupled to a load circuit, a control circuit, and a driver circuit. The control circuit may be configured to select a first operating mode in response to a determination that a value of current flowing through the inductor is greater than a threshold, and to otherwise select a second operating mode. In the first operating mode, the driver circuit may be configured to source current to the load circuit through the inductor for a first duration, based on a comparison of a supply voltage level to a voltage level across the load circuit. In the second operating mode, the driver circuit may be configured to source current to the load circuit through the inductor at a number of time points. At each time point the current may be sourced for a second duration that is based on an allowable peak current flowing through the inductor.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an inductor coupled to a load circuit, a control circuit, and a driver circuit. The control circuit may be configured to select a first operating mode in response to a determination that a value of current flowing through the inductor is greater than a threshold, and to otherwise select a second operating mode. In the first operating mode, the driver circuit may be configured to source current to the load circuit through the inductor for a first duration, based on a comparison of a supply voltage level to a voltage level across the load circuit. In the second operating mode, the driver circuit may be configured to source current to the load circuit through the inductor at a number of time points. At each time point the current may be sourced for a second duration that is based on an allowable peak current flowing through the inductor.

Abstract: An apparatus including an inductor coupled to a load circuit, a control circuit, and a driver circuit. The control circuit may be configured to select a first operating mode in response to a determination that a value of current flowing through the inductor is greater than a threshold, and to otherwise select a second operating mode. In the first operating mode, the driver circuit may be configured to source current to the load circuit through the inductor for a first duration, based on a comparison of a supply voltage level to a voltage level across the load circuit. In the second operating mode, the driver circuit may be configured to source current to the load circuit through the inductor at a number of time points. At each time point the current may be sourced for a second duration that is based on an allowable peak current flowing through the inductor.

Abstract: A switching regulator comprising a droop amplifier responsive to a reference voltage and a feedback voltage to generate a droop voltage. The droop amplifier includes a boost circuit configurable to increase a transconductance of the droop amplifier during an upward transition of the reference voltage. The switching regulator further includes a comparator responsive to the droop voltage and a current sense signal. The comparator is configured to initiate switching in the switching regulator.

Abstract: A switching regulator comprising a droop amplifier responsive to a reference voltage and a feedback voltage to generate a droop voltage. The droop amplifier includes a boost circuit configurable to increase a transconductance of the droop amplifier during an upward transition of the reference voltage. The switching regulator further includes a comparator responsive to the droop voltage and a current sense signal. The comparator is configured to initiate switching in the switching regulator.