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: A voltage regulation system for providing power to a load is provided. The voltage regulation system includes a voltage regulator operable to: set an operating voltage of the load at a first voltage level which corresponds to a first voltage requirement of the load; receive a second voltage requirement of the load which is different than the first voltage requirement; produce a voltage ramp signal which transitions from the first voltage level to a second voltage level which corresponds to the second voltage requirement at a defined ramp rate; and ramp the operating voltage from the first voltage level to the second voltage level based on the voltage ramp signal and at the same ramp rate as the voltage ramp signal, but with a lag between the voltage ramp signal and the ramp in the operating voltage.

Abstract: A voltage regulation system for providing power to a load is provided. The voltage regulation system includes a voltage regulator operable to: set an operating voltage of the load at a first voltage level which corresponds to a first voltage requirement of the load; receive a second voltage requirement of the load which is different than the first voltage requirement; produce a voltage ramp signal which transitions from the first voltage level to a second voltage level which corresponds to the second voltage requirement at a defined ramp rate; and ramp the operating voltage from the first voltage level to the second voltage level based on the voltage ramp signal and at the same ramp rate as the voltage ramp signal, but with a lag between the voltage ramp signal and the ramp in the operating voltage.

Abstract: A voltage regulation system for providing power to a load is provided. The voltage regulation system includes a voltage regulator operable to set an operating voltage of the load at a first voltage level which corresponds to a first voltage requirement of the load, receive a second voltage requirement of the load which is different than the first voltage requirement and produce a voltage ramp from the first voltage level to the second voltage level. The voltage regulator is further operable to transition the operating voltage from the first voltage level to the second voltage level at a same ramp rate as the voltage ramp and with a lag between the voltage ramp and the transition in the operating voltage.

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: 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 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 voltage regulation system for providing power to a load is provided. The voltage regulation system includes a voltage regulator operable to set an operating voltage of the load at a first voltage level which corresponds to a first voltage requirement of the load, receive a second voltage requirement of the load which is different than the first voltage requirement and produce a voltage ramp from the first voltage level to the second voltage level. The voltage regulator is further operable to transition the operating voltage from the first voltage level to the second voltage level at a same ramp rate as the voltage ramp and with a lag between the voltage ramp and the transition in the operating voltage.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for power regulation according to various aspects of the present invention may operate in conjunction with producing a voltage ramp starting at a first voltage and ending at a second voltage and compensating the voltage ramp according to a compensation parameter. The compensation parameter may be adapted to compensate for a circuit parameter. A voltage may then be generated according to the compensated voltage ramp.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus of dynamic transient optimization in a voltage regulator according to various aspects of the present invention may comprise a transition detector configured to compare an output voltage error to an amplitude threshold. The voltage regulator may further comprise a frequency detector configured to measure the frequency of the amplitude threshold being exceeded and to compare the frequency to a frequency threshold and a response circuit configured to activate a response according to a comparison between the frequency threshold and the frequency of the amplitude threshold being exceeded.

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 power regulation according to various aspects of the present invention may operate in conjunction with producing a voltage ramp starting at a first voltage and ending at a second voltage and compensating the voltage ramp according to a compensation parameter. The compensation parameter may be adapted to compensate for a circuit parameter. A voltage may then be generated according to the compensated voltage ramp.

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 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: 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 of dynamic transient optimization in a voltage regulator according to various aspects of the present invention may comprise a transition detector configured to compare an output voltage error to an amplitude threshold. The voltage regulator may further comprise a frequency detector configured to measure the frequency of the amplitude threshold being exceeded and to compare the frequency to a frequency threshold and a response circuit configured to activate a response according to a comparison between the frequency threshold and the frequency of the amplitude threshold being exceeded.