Abstract: An electronic device includes a die, one or more power stages, and one or more sensors electrically coupled to the one or more stages and to determine data associated with a temperature of the die. The electronic device includes one or more off-die power stages external to the die and processing circuitry configured to cause the one or more off-die power stages to activate based on the data indicating that the temperature is greater than a temperature threshold.

Abstract: A power management circuit included in a computer system regulates a voltage level of a power supply node used by other circuits in the computer system. The power management circuit includes a control circuit and multiple phase circuits coupled to the regulated power supply node via corresponding inductors. The control circuit selectively activates particular ones of the multiple phase circuits allowing them source respective currents to the regulated power supply node. The control circuit also selectively activates particular ones of other phase circuits that are external to the power management circuit and coupled to the regulated power supply node via their own corresponding inductors. Once activated, the external phase circuits source respective currents to the regulated power supply node via their corresponding inductors.

Abstract: A power management circuit included in a computer system regulates a voltage level of a power supply node used by other circuits in the computer system. The power management circuit includes a control circuit and multiple phase circuits coupled to the regulated power supply node via corresponding inductors. The control circuit selectively activates particular ones of the multiple phase circuits allowing them source respective currents to the regulated power supply node. The control circuit also selectively activates particular ones of other phase circuits that are external to the power management circuit and coupled to the regulated power supply node via their own corresponding inductors. Once activated, the external phase circuits source respective currents to the regulated power supply node via their corresponding inductors.

Abstract: A power management circuit included in a computer system regulates a voltage level of a power supply node used by other circuits in the computer system. The power management circuit includes a control circuit and multiple phase circuits coupled to the regulated power supply node via corresponding inductors. The control circuit selectively activates particular ones of the multiple phase circuits allowing them source respective currents to the regulated power supply node. The control circuit also selectively activates particular ones of other phase circuits that are external to the power management circuit and coupled to the regulated power supply node via their own corresponding inductors. Once activated, the external phase circuits source respective currents to the regulated power supply node via their corresponding inductors.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that manages use of a battery in a portable electronic device. During operation, the system operates a charging circuit for converting an input voltage from a power source into a set of output voltages for charging the battery and powering a low-voltage subsystem and a high-voltage subsystem in the portable electronic device. Upon detecting the input voltage from the power source and a low-voltage state in the battery during operation of the charging circuit, the system uses a first inductor group in the charging circuit to down-convert the input voltage to a target voltage of the battery that is lower than a voltage requirement of the high-voltage subsystem. The system also uses a second inductor group in the charging circuit to up-convert the target voltage to power the high-voltage subsystem.

Abstract: A battery charger has at least two phases and coupled switches that are controlled using switch mode power supply (SMPS) techniques. One of the phases is part of a buck-boost circuit that includes a high side switch, which is coupled between a near end of the phase and the input, and a low side switch that is coupled between a far end of the phase and ground. The far end of the phase is also coupled to a battery, through a further high side switch. A controller signals the switches into open and closed states so that the buck-boost circuit is operated in buck mode when charging the battery at a low voltage, and in boost mode when charging the battery at a high voltage. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A power conversion circuit providing a regulated output voltage to a load can include a switching regulator with an input configured to be coupled to an input voltage source and an output configured to be coupled to the load. The power conversion circuit can further include a metered charge transfer converter, such as a charge pump or a switched or pulsed current source, having an input configured to be coupled to an input voltage source and having an output configured to be coupled to the load. A controller coupled to the metered charge transfer converter can be configured to operate the metered charge transfer converter to deliver energy to the load responsive to a dip of the regulated output voltage below a threshold caused by an increase in current drawn by the load. The metered charge transfer converter may be located closer to the load than the switching regulator.

Abstract: Power supply topologies can leverage relatively smaller component sizes while meeting the power requirements of loads. In a first stage, a determination is made as to whether a high current limit is exceeded for a first duration, or whether an average current provided exceeds an average current limit, such that a power supply component (e.g., inductor) is thermally stressed. In either event, a clock frequency is reduced by a first factor. In a second stage, a determination is made as to whether an output voltage drops below a voltage threshold. If so, the clock frequency may be further reduced by a second factor.

Abstract: A power conversion circuit providing a regulated output voltage to a load can include a switching regulator with an input configured to be coupled to an input voltage source and an output configured to be coupled to the load. The power conversion circuit can further include a metered charge transfer converter, such as a charge pump or a switched or pulsed current source, having an input configured to be coupled to an input voltage source and having an output configured to be coupled to the load. A controller coupled to the metered charge transfer converter can be configured to operate the metered charge transfer converter to deliver energy to the load responsive to a dip of the regulated output voltage below a threshold caused by an increase in current drawn by the load. The metered charge transfer converter may be located closer to the load than the switching regulator.

Abstract: Power supply topologies can leverage relatively smaller component sizes while meeting the power requirements of loads. In a first stage, a determination is made as to whether a high current limit is exceeded for a first duration, or whether an average current provided exceeds an average current limit, such that a power supply component (e.g., inductor) is thermally stressed. In either event, a clock frequency is reduced by a first factor. In a second stage, a determination is made as to whether an output voltage drops below a voltage threshold. If so, the clock frequency may be further reduced by a second factor.

Abstract: The embodiments discussed herein relate to systems, methods, and apparatus for providing a charger capable of adaptively handling a range of power inputs. The charger can selectively activate different control switches within the charger in order to more efficiently use current supplied to the charger. When a low power input is provided to the charger, the charger can reduce the number of active control switches being used to provide a voltage output from the charger. In this way, the capacitance required to toggle the control switches can be reduced. When a high power input is provided to the charger, the number of active control switches can be increased in order to increase a total amount of charge that can be provided from the charger, thereby reducing charge times for batteries.

Abstract: This application relates to a power converter for a computing device. The power converter can maintain an average output current while also allowing the output current to reach a peak current limit for periods of time. The average output current is maintained by enforcing a dynamic current limit on the output current. The dynamic current limit can change over time depending on whether the average output current is above or below an average current threshold. The changes to the dynamic current limit can occur at a rate defined by one or more time constants in order to reduce electromigration and maintain a temperature of the power converter below a predetermined temperature threshold.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that manages use of a battery in a portable electronic device. During operation, the system operates a charging circuit for converting an input voltage from a power source into a set of output voltages for charging the battery and powering a low-voltage subsystem and a high-voltage subsystem in the portable electronic device. Upon detecting the input voltage from the power source and a low-voltage state in the battery during operation of the charging circuit, the system uses a first inductor group in the charging circuit to down-convert the input voltage to a target voltage of the battery that is lower than a voltage requirement of the high-voltage subsystem. The system also uses a second inductor group in the charging circuit to up-convert the target voltage to power the high-voltage subsystem.

Abstract: A multi-phase switch mode, voltage regulator has a transient mode portion in which a phase control output is coupled to one or more control inputs of one or more switch circuits that conduct inductor current through one or more transient phase inductors, from amongst a number of phase inductors. A slew mode control circuit detects a high slope and then a low slope in the feedback voltage and, in between detection of the high slope and the low slope, pulses the phase control output of the transient mode portion so that the switch circuit that conducts transient phase inductor current adds power to, or sinks power from, the power supply output. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that manages use of a battery in a portable electronic device. During operation, the system operates a charging circuit for converting an input voltage from a power source into a set of output voltages for charging the battery and powering a low-voltage subsystem and a high-voltage subsystem in the portable electronic device. Upon detecting the input voltage from the power source and a low-voltage state in the battery during operation of the charging circuit, the system uses a first inductor group in the charging circuit to down-convert the input voltage to a target voltage of the battery that is lower than a voltage requirement of the high-voltage subsystem. The system also uses a second inductor group in the charging circuit to up-convert the target voltage to power the high-voltage subsystem.

Abstract: A battery charger has at least two phases and coupled switches that are controlled using switch mode power supply (SMPS) techniques. One of the phases is part of a buck-boost circuit that includes a high side switch, which is coupled between a near end of the phase and the input, and a low side switch that is coupled between a far end of the phase and ground. The far end of the phase is also coupled to a battery, through a further high side switch. A controller signals the switches into open and closed states so that the buck-boost circuit is operated in buck mode when charging the battery at a low voltage, and in boost mode when charging the battery at a high voltage. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A multi-phase switch mode, voltage regulator has a transient mode portion in which a phase control output is coupled to one or more control inputs of one or more switch circuits that conduct inductor current through one or more transient phase inductors, from amongst a number of phase inductors. A slew mode control circuit detects a high slope and then a low slope in the feedback voltage and, in between detection of the high slope and the low slope, pulses the phase control output of the transient mode portion so that the switch circuit that conducts transient phase inductor current adds power to, or sinks power from, the power supply output. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A multi-phase switch mode, voltage regulator has a transient mode portion in which a phase control output is coupled to one or more control inputs of one or more switch circuits that conduct inductor current through one or more transient phase inductors, from amongst a number of phase inductors. A slew mode control circuit detects a high slope and then a low slope in the feedback voltage and, in between detection of the high slope and the low slope, pulses the phase control output of the transient mode portion so that the switch circuit that conducts transient phase inductor current adds power to, or sinks power from, the power supply output. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: The embodiments discussed herein relate to systems, methods, and apparatus for providing a charger capable of adaptively handling a range of power inputs. The charger can selectively activate different control switches within the charger in order to more efficiently use current supplied to the charger. When a low power input is provided to the charger, the charger can reduce the number of active control switches being used to provide a voltage output from the charger. In this way, the capacitance required to toggle the control switches can be reduced. When a high power input is provided to the charger, the number of active control switches can be increased in order to increase a total amount of charge that can be provided from the charger, thereby reducing charge times for batteries.

Abstract: This application relates to a power converter for a computing device. The power converter can maintain an average output current while also allowing the output current to reach a peak current limit for periods of time. The average output current is maintained by enforcing a dynamic current limit on the output current. The dynamic current limit can change over time depending on whether the average output current is above or below an average current threshold. The changes to the dynamic current limit can occur at a rate defined by one or more time constants in order to reduce electromigration and maintain a temperature of the power converter below a predetermined temperature threshold.