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: Methods and apparatus for a multiphase power regulator according various aspects of the present invention operate in conjunction with an active transient response (ATR) system for applying a correction signal to a multiphase pulse width modulator. In the event of a transient, the ATR system may adjust the output of the pulse width modulator to quickly respond to load requirements. The output may be modified by adding pulses, blanking pulses, advancing pulses, and scaling pulses to one or more phases.

Abstract: A method of balancing current supplied by a plurality of regulators coupled to a load includes: measuring an average load current supplied by each regulator; determining an overall average current to be shared by the plurality of regulators; comparing each average load current with the overall average current to be shared by the plurality of regulators; and adjusting 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 power regulator includes a multiphase pulse width modulator, an output stage and an active transient response circuit. The output stage includes a high side transistor, a low side transistor and an inductor. The output stage is configured to supply power to a load responsive to signals generated by the multiphase pulse width modulator. The active transient response circuit is coupled between the output stage and the multiphase pulse width modulator and configured to detect the voltage level at the output stage and provide a signal to the multiphase pulse width modulator that is a function of the amplitude of the deviation of the detected voltage level from a target voltage.

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 power semiconductor module includes a power semiconductor die, a metal substrate, a patterned metallization layer, a plurality of padless electrical connections, a plurality of vias and an inductor. The power semiconductor die has a top surface, an opposing bottom surface and a plurality of sides extending between the top and bottom surfaces. The metal substrate is attached to the bottom surface of the die. The patterned metallization layer is disposed above the top surface of the die. The plurality of padless electrical connections are at the top surface of the die and connect the patterned metallization layer to the die. The plurality of vias are disposed adjacent one or more of the sides of the die and electrically connected to the patterned metallization layer at a first end of the plurality of vias and to the metal substrate at a second end of the plurality of vias.

Abstract: A multiphase power regulator includes a multiphase pulse width modulator, an output stage and an active transient response circuit. The output stage includes a high side transistor, a low side transistor and an inductor. The output stage is configured to supply power to a load responsive to signals generated by the multiphase pulse width modulator. The active transient response circuit is coupled between the output stage and the multiphase pulse width modulator and configured to detect the voltage level at the output stage and provide a signal to the multiphase pulse width modulator that is a function of the amplitude of the deviation of the detected voltage level from a target voltage.

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 a controller configured to generate a control signal and an integrated power stage. The power stage may include a segmented switch coupled in parallel between the input voltage and the output, and a driver circuit responsive to the controller and connected to the switches. The segmented switches may be parallel devices with separate gates, which may be activated independently. The driver circuit controls the switches according to the control signal to sequentially activate the switches in the switch circuit. For example, the driver circuit may activate a second switch following a predetermined period after activating a first switch, and the first switch and second switch may be activated sequentially and remain activated simultaneously.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for current sensing according to various aspects of the present invention operate in conjunction with a current sensor adapted to sense the current provided to a load via a transistor. In one embodiment, a power supply includes the current sensor, and supplies the current through a series combination of an inductor and the transistor. The current sensor is adapted to generate the inductor current signal according to a sensed current in the inductor, and may comprise a series combination of a first resistor and a second resistor. The resistive series combination is adapted to be connected in parallel to the series combination of the inductor and the transistor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-phase pulse width modulated voltage regulator and method in which transient voltage excursions or deviations that exceed the load line voltage by more than a predetermined amount are detected by an ATR circuit and a correction signal is applied. The correction signal is in the form of asynchronous pulses and the number of such pulses is a function of the magnitude of the voltage excursion as determined by the number of thresholds that are exceeded. Also disclosed is an adaptive voltage positioning (AVP) circuit and method for early detection of a transient event by sensing voltage changes at the load and adjusting the target voltage with pre-determined current values prior to the time that ATR event changes in the current at the load are detected. The AVP load line is pre-positioned for more precise current control. Also disclosed is an adaptive filter with adjustable frequency characteristics in response to an ATR event. Also disclosed is a pulse limiting circuit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for current sensing according to various aspects of the present invention sense the current in a circuit, such as an inductor circuit. The current sensing systems may comprise an RC element connected such that the RC time constant matches the L/R time constant of the inductor. The current sensor may be configured to generate voltages that are proportional to the instantaneous current in the inductor with scaled gain for a wide range of inductor self resistance (DCR) values.

Abstract: A method of balancing current supplied by a plurality of regulators coupled to a load includes: measuring an average load current supplied by each regulator; determining an overall average current to be shared by the plurality of regulators; comparing each average load current with the overall average current to be shared by the plurality of regulators; and adjusting 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 for current sensing in mutually coupled inductors according to various aspects of the present invention may operate in conjunction with a control system adapted to control current through the inductors and multiple current sensors connected to the control system. Each current sensor may comprise a series combination comprising a capacitor and a resistor. The series combination may be connected in parallel with one of the inductors, and may be adapted to generate branch inductor current signals according to a sensed current in the connected inductor. In addition, a coupling capacitor may be coupled between at least two of the current sensors to compensate a time constant of the current sensor for mutual coupling inductance between the inductors.

Abstract: Disclosed is a digital current sharing structure and method in which a plurality of regulators are configured to share the load current. Current share circuits in each of the regulators are configured to measure and compare the average current provided by that particular regulator with the overall average current provided by all the regulators. Each of the current share circuits then provides an output so that the output of each regulator is adjusted to provide the same amount of current to the load. Digital processing with both analog and digital averaging are disclosed. Also disclosed is a programmable hysteresis technique to eliminate relatively trivial adjustments.

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: 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 a controller configured to generate a control signal and an integrated power stage. The power stage may include a multiple switches coupled in parallel between the input voltage and the output, and a driver circuit responsive to the controller and connected to the switches. The driver circuit controls the switches according to the control signal to sequentially activate the switches in the switch circuit.

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: Disclosed is a multi-phase pulse width modulated voltage regulator and method in which transient voltage excursions or deviations that exceed the load line voltage by more than a predetermined amount are detected by an ATR circuit and a correction signal is applied. The correction signal is in the form of asynchronous pulses and the number of such pulses is a function of the magnitude of the voltage excursion as determined by the number of thresholds that are exceeded. Also disclosed is an adaptive voltage positioning (AVP) circuit and method for early detection of a transient event by sensing voltage changes at the load and adjusting the target voltage with pre-determined current values prior to the time that ATR event changes in the current at the load are detected. The AVP load line is pre-positioned for more precise current control. Also disclosed is an adaptive filter with adjustable frequency characteristics in response to an ATR event. Also disclosed is a pulse limiting circuit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for current sensing in mutually coupled inductors according to various aspects of the present invention may operate in conjunction with a control system adapted to control current through the inductors and multiple current sensors connected to the control system. Each current sensor may comprise a series combination comprising a capacitor and a resistor. The series combination may be connected in parallel with one of the inductors, and may be adapted to generate branch inductor current signals according to a sensed current in the connected inductor. In addition, a coupling capacitor may be coupled between at least two of the current sensors to compensate a time constant of the current sensor for mutual coupling inductance between the inductors.