Abstract: Disclosed are devices, apparatus, circuitry, components, mechanisms, modules, units, systems, and processes for controlling a power switch of a voltage regulator. A capacitor is coupled to an output of the power switch. Charge delivery circuitry is coupled to the capacitor and configured to provide a charging current to the capacitor. Charge control circuitry can be coupled to the charge delivery circuitry and configured to selectively allow the providing of the charging current to the capacitor.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices, apparatus, circuitry, components, mechanisms, modules, units, systems, and processes for controlling the switching frequency of a voltage regulator. Frequency monitoring and adjustment circuitry is coupled to sense a switching frequency of a power switch coupled to an output filter of the voltage regulator. The frequency monitoring and adjustment circuitry is configured to provide a frequency adjustment signal based on the sensed switching frequency. Power switch control circuitry is coupled to receive the frequency adjustment signal and is configured to control switching of the power switch based on the frequency adjustment signal.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices, apparatus, circuitry, components, mechanisms, modules, systems, and methods for virtual output voltage sensing for feed-forward control of a voltage regulator. A buffer has an input coupled to sense a monitored signal indicating a duty cycle of switch circuitry coupled to an output filter of the voltage regulator. The buffer is configured to provide at an output, responsive to the monitored signal, a buffer output signal having a high reference voltage for a high side on time and a low reference voltage for a low side on time of the switch circuitry. A filter is coupled to receive and filter the buffer output signal to provide a feed-forward signal indicating the output voltage of the voltage regulator. Control circuitry is configured to control the switching of the switch circuitry responsive to the feed-forward signal.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments of voltage regulators incorporate a current mode control architecture. In one embodiment, a voltage regulator includes a power switch having an input and an output. The power switch is configured to provide a first voltage during a first conduction period and a second voltage during a second conduction period. An output filter is coupled between the power switch output and an output terminal to be coupled to a load. An adjustment device is coupled to sense a current sensing voltage corresponding to a current provided to the output filter. The adjustment device is configured to convert the current sensing voltage to an adjusted current sensing voltage, including replacing a current sensing resistance associated with the current sensing voltage with a reference resistance. Control circuitry includes a current sensing input coupled to the adjustment device to sense the adjusted current sensing voltage, and an output in communication with the power switch input.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments of voltage regulators incorporate a current mode control architecture. In one embodiment, a comparator mechanism triggers a transition in a power switch when the error in the regulated output voltage is equal to a proportionally scaled value of current provided at an output filter. The voltage regulator includes a power switch having an input and an output. The power switch is configured to provide a first voltage during a first conduction period and a second voltage during a second conduction period. An output filter is coupled between the power switch output and an output terminal to be coupled to a load. A comparator mechanism has a reference input coupled to a reference voltage, a feedback input coupled to sense a feedback voltage at the output filter, a current sensing input coupled to sense a current sensing voltage corresponding to a current provided to the output filter, and an output in communication with the power switch input.

Abstract: A voltage regulator is operated by determining whether a desired output current is below a threshold, and when the desired output current is below the threshold, generating a sequence of current pulses in a discontinuous current mode. A maximum current of the pulses is a function of the desired output current.

Abstract: A voltage regulator is operated by, during a finite period of a voltage regular start mode having a plurality of current pulses, monotonically increasing the maximum current of the current pulses and a target voltage.

Abstract: A voltage regulator has a switch configured to alternately couple and decouple a voltage source through an inductor to a load, feedback circuitry to generate a feedback current, a current sensor configured to measure the feedback current, and a controller configured to receive the feedback current measurement from the current sensor and, in response thereto, to control a duty cycle of the switch. The feedback circuitry includes an amplifier having a first input configured to receive a desired voltage, a second input, and an output, a capacitor connecting the second input to the output of the amplifier, and a resistor connecting the output of the amplifier and the output terminal such that a feedback current proportional to a difference between the desired voltage and an output voltage at an output terminal flows through the resistor.

Abstract: A detection circuit and one or more wires or circuit traces are included in a die. The combination is used to detect mechanical failure of the substrate, e.g. silicon after singulation of the dice from the wafer. Failures may be detected at different regions or planes within the die, and the tests may be performed during operation of the packaged die and integrated circuit, even after installation and during operation of a larger electronic device in which it is incorporated. This is especially useful for chip scale packages, but may be utilized in any type of IC package.

Abstract: A voltage regulator includes a switch configured to alternately couple and decouple a voltage source through a inductor to a load, a feedback circuitry configured to generate a feedback current proportional to a difference between a desired voltage and an output voltage at an output terminal, a current sensor configured to measure the feedback current, a controller configured to receive the feedback current level from the current sensor and, in response thereto, to control a duty cycle of the switch, and a current mirror configured to generate a reporting current proportional to the feedback current.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments of voltage regulators incorporate a current mode control architecture. In one embodiment, a comparator mechanism triggers a transition in a power switch when the error in the regulated output voltage is equal to a proportionally scaled value of current provided at an output filter. The voltage regulator includes a power switch having an input and an output. The power switch is configured to provide a first voltage during a first conduction period and a second voltage during a second conduction period. An output filter is coupled between the power switch output and an output terminal to be coupled to a load. A comparator mechanism has a reference input coupled to a reference voltage, a feedback input coupled to sense a feedback voltage at the output filter, a current sensing input coupled to sense a current sensing voltage corresponding to a current provided to the output filter, and an output in communication with the power switch input.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments of voltage regulators incorporate a current mode control architecture. In one embodiment, a voltage regulator includes a power switch having an input and an output. The power switch is configured to provide a first voltage during a first conduction period and a second voltage during a second conduction period. An output filter is coupled between the power switch output and an output terminal to be coupled to a load. An adjustment device is coupled to sense a current sensing voltage corresponding to a current provided to the output filter. The adjustment device is configured to convert the current sensing voltage to an adjusted current sensing voltage, including replacing a current sensing resistance associated with the current sensing voltage with a reference resistance. Control circuitry includes a current sensing input coupled to the adjustment device to sense the adjusted current sensing voltage, and an output in communication with the power switch input.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices, apparatus, circuitry, components, mechanisms, modules, units, systems, and processes for controlling the switching frequency of a voltage regulator. Frequency monitoring and adjustment circuitry is coupled to sense a switching frequency of a power switch coupled to an output filter of the voltage regulator. The frequency monitoring and adjustment circuitry is configured to provide a frequency adjustment signal based on the sensed switching frequency. Power switch control circuitry is coupled to receive the frequency adjustment signal and is configured to control switching of the power switch based on the frequency adjustment signal.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices, apparatus, circuitry, components, mechanisms, modules, units, systems, and processes for controlling a power switch of a voltage regulator. A capacitor is coupled to an output of the power switch. Charge delivery circuitry is coupled to the capacitor and configured to provide a charging current to the capacitor. Charge control circuitry can be coupled to the charge delivery circuitry and configured to selectively allow the providing of the charging current to the capacitor.

Abstract: A voltage regulator is operated by, during a finite period of a voltage regular start mode having a plurality of current pulses, monotonically increasing the maximum current of the current pulses and a target voltage.

Abstract: A voltage regulator has a switch configured to alternately couple and decouple a voltage source through an inductor to a load, feedback circuitry to generate a feedback current, a current sensor configured to measure the feedback current, and a controller configured to receive the feedback current measurement from the current sensor and, in response thereto, to control a duty cycle of the switch. The feedback circuitry includes an amplifier having a first input configured to receive a desired voltage, a second input, and an output, a capacitor connecting the second input to the output of the amplifier, and a resistor connecting the output of the amplifier and the output terminal such that a feedback current proportional to a difference between the desired voltage and an output voltage at an output terminal flows through the resistor.

Abstract: A detection circuit and one or more wires or circuit traces are included in a die. The combination is used to detect mechanical failure of the substrate, e.g. silicon after singulation of the dice from the wafer. Failures may be detected at different regions or planes within the die, and the tests may be performed during operation of the packaged die and integrated circuit, even after installation and during operation of a larger electronic device in which it is incorporated. This is especially useful for chip scale packages, but may be utilized in any type of IC package.