Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for routing signals in a microelectronic device are disclosed. The system includes a plurality of chip components, such as transient suppression regulators, that are configured to include a transmission path that is routed through the chip component for transmission of any signal, for example, a signal from a communication bus of the microelectronic device.

Abstract: A system is provided for supplying current to a dynamic load subject to transient current requirements. A sense unit coupled to the dynamic load is configured to sense the rate of change of supply current required by the dynamic load during a transient event. A current source coupled to the sense unit is configured to supply a current pulse to the dynamic load in response to the sense unit determining that the rate of change of supply current (di/dt) exceeds a predetermined threshold. The current pulse preferably has a shape characterized by a first region and a second region subsequent to the second region, wherein the first region includes a first boost current which exceeds the transient current requirement, and wherein the second region includes a second boost current which is less than the transient current requirement. More generally, a wideband transient suppression system is provided for controlling a wide spectrum of transients.

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: 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 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 to be written to or read from all regulators that are coupled to the master controller.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for routing signals in a microelectronic device are disclosed. The system includes a plurality of chip components, such as transient suppression regulators, that are configured to include a transmission path that is routed through the chip component for transmission of any signal, for example, a signal from a communication bus of the microelectronic device.

Abstract: A system is provided for supplying current to a dynamic load subject to transient current requirements. A sense unit coupled to the dynamic load is configured to sense the rate of change of supply current required by the dynamic load during a transient event. A current source coupled to the sense unit is configured to supply a current pulse to the dynamic load in response to the sense unit determining that the rate of change of supply current (di/dt) exceeds a predetermined threshold. The current pulse preferably has a shape characterized by a first region and a second region subsequent to the second region, wherein the first region includes a first boost current which exceeds the transient current requirement, and wherein the second region includes a second boost current which is less than the transient current requirement. More generally, a wideband transient suppression system is provided for controlling a wide spectrum of transients.

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.