Abstract: A voltage regulator may comprise a high-side switch and a low-side switch for delivering electrical current to the at least one information handling resource, a high-side driver configured to drive a high-side driving voltage for regulating a first electrical current of the high-side switch, a low-side driver configured to drive a low-side driving voltage for regulating a second electrical current of the low-side switch, and a control circuit configured to operate the at least one voltage regulator in both of a fixed dead time mode and an adaptive dead time mode.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed that may be employed to improve efficiency of smart integrated power stages (IPstages) of multi-phase VR systems while operating under relatively light, ultra-light, or partial or reduced loads. The disclosed methods and systems may be implemented to improve VR system light load efficiency by providing and enabling reduced power IPstage operating modes in one or more smart IPstage/s of a VR system, and by enabling state transition between IPstage active and reduced power operating modes such as IPstage standby and IPstage hibernation modes.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed that may be employed to improve efficiency of smart integrated power stages (IPstages) of multi-phase VR systems while operating under relatively light, ultra-light, or partial or reduced loads. The disclosed methods and systems may be implemented to improve VR system light load efficiency by providing and enabling reduced power IPstage operating modes in one or more smart IPstage/s of a VR system, and by enabling state transition between IPstage active and reduced power operating modes such as IPstage standby and IPstage hibernation modes.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed that may be employed to improve efficiency of smart integrated power stages (IPstages) of multi-phase VR systems while operating under relatively light, ultra-light, or partial or reduced loads. The disclosed methods and systems may be implemented to improve VR system light load efficiency by providing and enabling reduced power IPstage operating modes in one or more smart IPstage/s of a VR system, and by enabling state transition between IPstage active and reduced power operating modes such as IPstage standby and IPstage hibernation modes.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed that may be employed to implement adaptive FET drive voltage optimization for voltage regulator (VR) integrated power stages (IPstages) that have different MOSFET RDS(on) characteristics to improve VR efficiency and current-sense accuracy.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed that may be employed to enable multi-phase voltage regulator (VR) system calibration during the development phase of a multi-phase VR system so as to meet defined accuracy targets and, in one example, to avoid the need for system level calibration in a production environment. The disclosed systems and methods may be further implemented to enable use of multiple sources for and types of integrated power stages (IPstages) in a common multi-phase VR system configuration while still achieving the required current sense accuracy, thus reducing or substantially eliminating continuity of supply (COS) concerns. The disclosed methods and systems may also be implemented to improve accuracy of current sense in a manner that improves VR system performance, power saving and reliability.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method enables determining an input power load for a multi voltage rail subsystem in an electronic device such as an information handing system. The method comprises determining a first output power value from a first voltage regulator and a second output power value from a second voltage regulator. A first input power value to the first voltage regulator is determined based at least partially on the first output power value and a second input power value to the second voltage regulator is determined based at least partially on the second output power value. An offset power value is calculated based on the first input power value and the second input power value. A total input power value is calculated based on the offset power value and a third input power value. The total input power value is transmitted to a processor.

Abstract: A method may include deactivating a switch of a measurement circuit during a measurement portion of at least one voltage regulator phase, wherein each of the at least one voltage regulator phase is integral to a voltage regulator and each of the at least one voltage regulator phase comprises a power stage. The power stage may include a high-side switch for delivering electrical current to the at least one information handling resource in conformity with a first duty cycle of the high-side switch. The power stage may also include a low-side switch for sinking electrical current to an electrical ground in conformity with a second duty cycle of the low-side switch. The method may also include measuring a voltage across a sense resistor of the measurement circuit during the measurement portion, wherein the sense resistor is coupled in parallel with non-gate terminals of the switch.

Abstract: A system and method of measuring real-time current is disclosed. The method includes calibrating a voltage measurement device. Calibrating includes measuring a real-time voltage difference between a first measurement node located proximate a first connector on a motherboard and a second measurement node located proximate a second connector on a power supply unit (PSU), the first and the second connectors coupled to provide power to the motherboard. Calibrating further includes averaging the real-time voltage difference for a plurality of measurements; computing a resistance of the coupling based at least on a long-duration averaged current from the PSU and the averaged real-time voltage difference, the resistance varying over time; and reporting the resistance of the coupling to the voltage measurement device. The method also includes measuring a real-time current of the PSU at the voltage measurement device based at least on the resistance of the coupling and the real-time voltage difference.

Abstract: A system and method of measuring real-time current is disclosed. The method includes calibrating a voltage measurement device. Calibrating includes measuring a real-time voltage difference between a first measurement node located proximate a first connector on a motherboard and a second measurement node located proximate a second connector on a power supply unit (PSU), the first and the second connectors coupled to provide power to the motherboard. Calibrating further includes averaging the real-time voltage difference for a plurality of measurements; computing a resistance of the coupling based at least on a long-duration averaged current from the PSU and the averaged real-time voltage difference, the resistance varying over time; and reporting the resistance of the coupling to the voltage measurement device. The method also includes measuring a real-time current of the PSU at the voltage measurement device based at least on the resistance of the coupling and the real-time voltage difference.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a multi-phase voltage regulator may comprise a plurality of phases, each phase configured to supply electrical current to one or more information handling resources electrically coupled to the voltage regulator. A controller may be electrically coupled to the plurality of phases. The controller may designate at least one of the plurality of phases as a first state phase, and designate each of the plurality of phases not designated as a first state phase as a second state phase. The controller may alternate the designation of at least two of the plurality of phases between a first state phase and a second state phase. Each first state phase may be configured to supply a first electrical current regardless of electrical current demand. Each second state phase may be configured to supply a second electrical current based on the current demand.

Abstract: A voltage regulator may comprise a high-side switch and a low-side switch for delivering electrical current to the at least one information handling resource, a high-side driver configured to drive a high-side driving voltage for regulating a first electrical current of the high-side switch, a low-side driver configured to drive a low-side driving voltage for regulating a second electrical current of the low-side switch, and a control circuit configured to operate the at least one voltage regulator in both of a fixed dead time mode and an adaptive dead time mode.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed that may be implemented to complete individual phase current sense calibration of a multi-phase voltage regulator (VR) and/or to detect any and all individual bad phases of such a VR by utilizing the reconfiguration capability of a digital VR controller-based VR in conjunction with an improved test process. The disclosed systems and methods may be employed in one example to identify that all individual phases of the multi-phase VR are operational to contribute to the output of the multi-phase VR using a rotating single phase operation testing mode. Individual phase current sense calibration may also be additionally or alternatively completed while the VR is operating under the rotating single phase operation mode.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a multi-phase voltage regulator may comprise a plurality of phases, each phase configured to supply electrical current to one or more information handling resources electrically coupled to the voltage regulator. A controller may be electrically coupled to the plurality of phases. The controller may designate at least one of the plurality of phases as a first state phase, and designate each of the plurality of phases not designated as a first state phase as a second state phase. The controller may alternate the designation of at least two of the plurality of phases between a first state phase and a second state phase. Each first state phase may be configured to supply a first electrical current regardless of electrical current demand. Each second state phase may be configured to supply a second electrical current based on the current demand.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a multi-phase voltage regulator may comprise a plurality of phases, each phase configured to supply electrical current to one or more information handling resources electrically coupled to the voltage regulator. A controller may be electrically coupled to the plurality of phases. The controller may designate at least one of the plurality of phases as a first state phase, and designate each of the plurality of phases not designated as a first state phase as a second state phase. The controller may alternate the designation of at least two of the plurality of phases between a first state phase and a second state phase. Each first state phase may be configured to supply a first electrical current regardless of electrical current demand. Each second state phase may be configured to supply a second electrical current based on the current demand.

Abstract: A voltage regulator that includes a high-side and a low-side power transistor is implemented where the high-side and the low-side power transistors are operable to output power to a transient load. The voltage regulator further includes control circuitry coupled to the high-side low-side power transistors and the transient load, with the control circuitry operable to receive a control signal from the transient load or the system. The control signal may correspond to an operating voltage of the transient load. In response to a decrease in a power level, the control circuitry may turn off the high-side power transistor, turn on the low-side power transistor a first duration, and turn off the low-side power transistor for a second duration. The first duration and the second duration may be based, at least in part, on the operating voltage.

Abstract: A system and method of measuring real-time current is disclosed. The method includes calibrating a voltage measurement device. Calibrating includes measuring a real-time voltage difference between a first measurement node located proximate a first connector on a motherboard and a second measurement node located proximate a second connector on a power supply unit (PSU), the first and the second connectors coupled to provide power to the motherboard. Calibrating further includes averaging the real-time voltage difference for a plurality of measurements; computing a resistance of the coupling based at least on a long-duration averaged current from the PSU and the averaged real-time voltage difference, the resistance varying over time; and reporting the resistance of the coupling to the voltage measurement device. The method also includes measuring a real-time current of the PSU at the voltage measurement device based at least on the resistance of the coupling and the real-time voltage difference.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed that may be implemented to complete individual phase current sense calibration of a multi-phase voltage regulator (VR) and/or to detect any and all individual bad phases of such a VR by utilizing the reconfiguration capability of a digital VR controller-based VR in conjunction with an improved test process. The disclosed systems and methods may be employed in one example to identify that all individual phases of the multi-phase VR are operational to contribute to the output of the multi-phase VR using a rotating single phase operation testing mode. Individual phase current sense calibration may also be additionally or alternatively completed while the VR is operating under the rotating single phase operation mode.

Abstract: A voltage regulator includes a first phase power stage, a second phase power stage, and a controller. The first phase power stage includes a zero cross detection circuit configured to measure a current level for the first phase power stage, and to cause a diode emulation state in the first phase power stage when the current level is substantially equal to zero. The second phase power stage is in communication with the zero cross detection circuit, and configured to enter the diode emulation state in response to receiving a signal from the zero cross detection circuit. The controller is coupled to the first phase power stage and to the second phase power stage. The controller is configured to measure an output current of the voltage regulator and to activate the second phase power stage when the output current is above a first threshold current level.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a voltage regulator including a high-side and a low-side power transistor. The high-side and the low-side power transistors are operable to output power to a transient load. The voltage regulator further includes control circuitry coupled to the high-side low-side power transistors and the transient load, with the control circuitry operable to receive a control signal from the transient load or the system. The control signal may correspond to an operating voltage of the transient load. In response to a decrease in a power level, the control circuitry may turn off the high-side power transistor, turn on the low-side power transistor a first duration, and turn off the low-side power transistor for a second duration. The first duration and the second duration may be based, at least in part, on the operating voltage.