Abstract: According to an embodiment, a multiphase regulator includes a plurality of output phases each of which is operable to deliver a phase current through a separate inductor to a load connected to the output phases via the inductors and an output capacitor. A controller is operable to regulate a voltage delivered to the load by adjusting the phase currents delivered to the load by the output phases, monitor the phase currents delivered to the load by the output phases, test the output phases in a predetermined sequence, and determine if the phase currents respond in a predetermined way.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a multiphase regulator includes a plurality of output phases each of which is operable to deliver a phase current through a separate inductor to a load connected to the output phases via the inductors and an output capacitor. A controller is operable to regulate a voltage delivered to the load by adjusting the phase currents delivered to the load by the output phases, monitor the phase currents delivered to the load by the output phases, test the output phases in a predetermined sequence, and determine if the phase currents respond in a predetermined way.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a multiphase regulator includes a plurality of output phases each of which is operable to deliver a phase current through a separate inductor to a load connected to the output phases via the inductors and an output capacitor. A controller is operable to regulate a voltage delivered to the load by adjusting the phase currents delivered to the load by the output phases, monitor the phase currents delivered to the load by the output phases, test the output phases in a predetermined sequence, and determine if the phase currents respond in a predetermined way.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a multiphase regulator includes a plurality of output phases each of which is operable to deliver a phase current through a separate inductor to a load connected to the output phases via the inductors and an output capacitor. A controller is operable to regulate a voltage delivered to the load by adjusting the phase currents delivered to the load by the output phases, monitor the phase currents delivered to the load by the output phases, determine if the monitored phase currents indicate any of the individual output phases, any of the individual inductors or the output capacitor are faulty even if the total current delivered to the load is within specified limits, synchronously switch the output phases which cause ripples in the phase currents, and detect if any of the phase currents fail to have a ripple current pattern that matches an expected ripple current pattern.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a multiphase regulator includes a plurality of output phases each of which is operable to deliver a phase current through a separate inductor to a load connected to the output phases via the inductors and an output capacitor. A controller is operable to regulate a voltage delivered to the load by adjusting the phase currents delivered to the load by the output phases, monitor the phase currents delivered to the load by the output phases, determine if the monitored phase currents indicate any of the individual output phases, any of the individual inductors or the output capacitor are faulty even if the total current delivered to the load is within specified limits, synchronously switch the output phases which cause ripples in the phase currents, and detect if any of the phase currents fail to have a ripple current pattern that matches an expected ripple current pattern.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a multiphase regulator includes a plurality of output phases each of which is operable to deliver a phase current through a separate inductor to a load connected to the output phases via the inductors and an output capacitor. A controller is operable to regulate a voltage delivered to the load by adjusting the phase currents delivered to the load by the output phases, monitor the phase currents delivered to the load by the output phases, test the output phases in a predetermined sequence, and determine if the phase currents respond in a predetermined way.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a power supply according various aspects of the present invention operate in conjunction with a voltage converter for converting an input voltage to an output voltage. For example, the converter may comprise an output controller configured to generate a control signal, a power mode controller, and an integrated power stage. The power stage may include a multiple switch segments coupled in parallel between the input voltage and the output, and a driver circuit responsive to the output controller and the power mode controller and connected to the switch segments. The driver circuit controls the switch segments according to the control signal to activate the switch segments in the switch circuit. The driver circuit also disables one or more of the switch segments according to the power mode signal to permit reduced power delivery and demand states.

Abstract: A multiphase regulator includes a plurality of output phases, each operable to deliver a phase current through a separate inductor to a load connected to the output phases via the inductors and an output capacitor. The multiphase regulator further includes a controller operable to regulate a voltage delivered to the load by adjusting the phase currents delivered to the load by the output phases, and monitor the phase currents delivered to the load by the output phases. The controller is further operable to determine if the monitored phase currents indicate any of the individual output phases, any of the individual inductors or the output capacitor are faulty, even if the total current delivered to the load is within specified limits.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a power supply according various aspects of the present invention operate in conjunction with a voltage converter for converting an input voltage to an output voltage. For example, the converter may comprise an output controller configured to generate a control signal, a power mode controller, and an integrated power stage. The power stage may include a multiple switch segments coupled in parallel between the input voltage and the output, and a driver circuit responsive to the output controller and the power mode controller and connected to the switch segments. The driver circuit controls the switch segments according to the control signal to activate the switch segments in the switch circuit. The driver circuit also disables one or more of the switch segments according to the power mode signal to permit reduced power delivery and demand states.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus selecting settings for circuits according to various aspects of the present invention may operate in conjunction with a measurement element connected to the circuit. The circuit may include a voltage source adapted to supply a voltage to the measurement element. The voltage may be substantially independent of the characteristics of the measurement element. The circuit may further include a measurement sensor responsive to a current in the measurement element. The measurement sensor may generate a control signal according to the current in the measurement element.

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 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 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 system for balancing current supplied by a plurality of regulators coupled to a load includes circuitry operable to measure an average load current supplied by each regulator, determine an overall average current to be shared by the plurality of regulators, and compare each average load current with the overall average current to be shared by the plurality of regulators. The circuitry included in the system is also operable to adjust an output current of one or more of the plurality of regulators so that the plurality of regulators supply the same current to the load.

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 multiphase regulator includes a plurality of output phases, each operable to deliver a phase current through a separate inductor to a load connected to the output phases via the inductors and an output capacitor. The multiphase regulator further includes a controller operable to regulate a voltage delivered to the load by adjusting the phase currents delivered to the load by the output phases, and monitor the phase currents delivered to the load by the output phases. The controller is further operable to determine if the monitored phase currents indicate any of the individual output phases, any of the individual inductors or the output capacitor are faulty, even if the total current delivered to the load is within specified limits.

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 system for balancing current supplied by a plurality of regulators coupled to a load includes circuitry operable to measure an average load current supplied by each regulator, determine an overall average current to be shared by the plurality of regulators, and compare each average load current with the overall average current to be shared by the plurality of regulators. The circuitry included in the system is also operable to adjust an output current of one or more of the plurality of regulators so that the plurality of regulators supply the same current to the load.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus selecting settings for circuits according to various aspects of the present invention may operate in conjunction with a measurement element connected to the circuit. The circuit may include a voltage source adapted to supply a voltage to the measurement element. The voltage may be substantially independent of the characteristics of the measurement element. The circuit may further include a measurement sensor responsive to a current in the measurement element. The measurement sensor may generate a control signal according to the current in the measurement element.

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.