Abstract: A system and method for detecting input phase loss in an adjustable speed drive (ASD) includes an input unit to detect operating data from the ASD. The operating data includes a DC link current of the ASD. The system also includes a state observer that is adapted to receive the operating data from the input unit and extract a DC link capacitor current of the ASD using the DC link current. The system also includes a controller programmed to compare the extracted DC link capacitor current to a predetermined fault range and generate a fault indication of an input phase loss if the extracted DC link capacitor current is within the predefined fault range. The controller is also programmed to calculate an estimated lifespan of the DC link capacitor based on the extracted DC link capacitor current.

Abstract: A method of queuing access to a power supply shared by a set of electrical access points. The access points turn on independently from one another and thus have independent power draws. Each access point has a specific power draw when on. The on state and associated power draw of each of access point is identified, and a load duration curve for each access point is normalized (i.e., combined with load duration curve(s)) from the other access points) into a probability distribution function. The probability distribution function is a normalized load duration curve that thus accounts for a varying set of “operating states” that may occur with respect to the set of access points (when viewed collectively). Each operating state has an associated probability of occurrence. As the operating state of the set (of access points) changes, access to the power supply is selectively queued, or de-queued (if previously queued).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods in accordance with this invention provide a multi-cell power supply for receiving power from a source and delivering power at an output terminal to a load. The multi-cell power supply includes a first power cell coupled to the source, and a first current sensor circuit. The first power cell provides a first output current, and includes a first output terminal coupled to a reference node of the multi-cell power supply, and a second output terminal coupled to the output terminal. The first current sensor circuit includes a first current sensor and a power supply. The first current sensor is coupled to the first output terminal of the first power cell, and measures the first output current. The power supply is coupled to either the reference node or a floating ground node of the first power cell, and provides power to the first current sensor.

Abstract: A voltage adjusting circuit includes a reference voltage generating circuit, a subtractor circuit, a threshold generating circuit and a comparator circuit. The voltage adjusting circuit may provide power supply signals to an amplifier circuit so that the amplifier circuit may provide an output signal to a load according to an input signal. The subtractor circuit generates a difference signal according to the output signal and the power supply signal. The comparator circuit compares the difference signal and a threshold signal generated by the threshold generating circuit for configuring the reference voltage generating circuit to adjust the signal value of the power supply signal.

Abstract: A power system, power circuit, and methods for maintaining or providing a constant or substantially constant power source and for reducing and/or minimizing power decay of a predetermined component are provided. Such improvement of power delivery and minimization of power loss is important for precision instrumentation applications. One such application is the infrared (“IR”) source driver for a Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (“FTIR”). The power system and/or circuit may include two integrated circuits in a novel way to make an efficient constant power IR source driver. The method may include having a switching regulator comparing a sample of output voltage with a reference voltage, a second element computing, calculating and/or creating a voltage that is a product of another voltage and a current to obtain a signal proportional to delivered power, and operating a closed loop regulator to provide a constant delivered power to the source.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a dual mode control interface that can be used to provide both a radio frequency front end (RFFE) serial interface and a two-mode general purpose input/output (GPIO) interface within a single digital control interface die. In certain embodiments, the dual mode control interface, or digital control interface, can communicate with a power amplifier. Further, the dual mode control interface can be used to set the mode of the power amplifier.

Abstract: There is disclosed a power supply stage, comprising: generating means for generating a power supply voltage from a high efficiency variable voltage supply in dependence on a reference signal; adjusting means for receiving the generated power supply voltage, and adapted to provide an adjusted selected power supply voltage tracking the reference signal in dependence thereon.

Abstract: A method and a circuit system for monitoring the electrical properties of a load circuit controlled in a clocked manner, the load circuit having at least one ohmic component and at least one inductive component, having the following steps: establishing at least one first control signal and one second control signal, the control signals being established in such a way that, in the case of activation of the load circuit using the first control signal, the inductive behavior of the load circuit predominates and, in the case of activation of the load circuit using the second control signal, the ohmic behavior of the load circuit predominates, acquiring at least one measured variable, which is a function of the control signal and the ohmic and/or inductive components, in the case of activation of the load circuit using the first control signal and in the case of activation of the load circuit using the second control signal, ascertaining the deviations of the measured variables from measured variables which are ex

Abstract: Reducing output voltage ripple of power supplies. In some embodiments, an electronic circuit may include a first node configured to receive an input signal proportional to an output voltage produced by a power supply, a second node configured to receive a reference voltage configured to alternate between two voltage values during operation of the power supply, and a third node configured to output an enabling signal configured to control the operation of the power supply in response to a comparison between the input signal and the reference voltage. In other embodiments, a method may include turning on a power supply in response to a falling ripple being smaller than a first reference voltage value, and turning off the power supply in response to a rising ripple being greater than a second reference voltage value, where the second reference voltage value is smaller than the first reference voltage value.

Abstract: Provided are a circuit control system and method for dynamically adjusting voltage and frequency. The circuit control system herein includes: a lookup table module configured to store a combined table of voltage-frequency corresponding relation curves of a target circuit under one or more working conditions; a converting module configured to make conversion between a working voltage and a working frequency of the target circuit according to the lookup table module; and a combined adjusting module configured to combinedly adjust the working frequency and the working voltage of the target circuit. With a high degree of automation, the circuit control system herein is safe and reliable for adjusting the working voltage and the working frequency of the target circuit, thereby achieving the effects of adjustment and optimization.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and device provide for the detection of insufficient supplied power supplied to a device. A current multiplier of the device, operable as a voltage regulator, is coupled to the power source, receives a clock signal, and generates a control signal. A digital counter, clocked by the clock signal and reset by the control signal, generates an overflow output in response to an overflow condition of the digital counter that indicates that the current sourcing capability of the power source has fallen below a current threshold of the device. A compensatory response by the device in response to the detection of insufficient supplied power may be provided as well.

Abstract: Apparatus having corresponding methods comprise: a first switching regulator coupled to an output node; a second switching regulator coupled to the output node through a capacitor, wherein the capacitor comprises a first terminal coupled to the output node, and a second terminal coupled to the second switching regulator; and a master controller configured to control a voltage on the output node, wherein the master controller comprises a first feedback input coupled to the first terminal of the capacitor, and a second feedback input coupled to the second terminal of the capacitor; wherein the master controller is further configured to control a voltage on the second terminal of the capacitor.

Abstract: There are provided an apparatus for and a method of controlling a power supply system. The apparatus for controlling a power supply system includes an offset correction circuit equally dividing an input voltage into n (n is a natural number larger than 2) and outputting n divided voltages, and a control unit using an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) to detect the n divided voltages output from the offset correction circuit, and determining a difference in levels between a value of the detected n divided voltages and a value calculated by dividing the input voltage by n, as an offset correction value.

Abstract: A method for generating an output signal and measuring arrangement for determining at least one measured variable use at least one sensor device (2) and at least one signal output (3) for outputting at least one output signal, wherein the output signal transmits information about the measured variable and/or a state of the measuring arrangement using at least one predetermined value of the current. The measuring arrangement ensures reliable outputting of an error signal indicating the presence of an erroneous state is achieved in that a first adjusting unit (4) and a second adjusting unit (5) are provided that set the value of the current of the output signal to a predetermined desired value. The first adjusting unit (4) sets a fixed current value and the second adjusting unit (5) sets a variable current value.

Abstract: A power supply apparatus controls an output voltage based on a difference between a predetermined reference voltage and a feedback voltage obtained from the output voltage. The power supply apparatus includes a feedback voltage adjustment circuit. The feedback voltage adjustment circuit is configured to gradually reduce or increase the feedback voltage by a predetermined amount, when a condition for increasing or reducing the output voltage to a target value is satisfied.

Abstract: A DC-DC controller and a control method thereof are provided. The DC-DC controller is coupled to an output stage. The output stage receives an input voltage and provides an output voltage. The DC-DC controller includes a transient boost circuit, a ramp oscillator, a combination logic circuit, a first comparator and a pulse width modulation (PWM) generator. The transient boost circuit generates an adjusting signal according to a variation of the output voltage. The combination logic circuit controls the ramp oscillator to generate a ramp signal according to the adjusting signal. The first comparator generates a first signal according to the ramp signal and an outputted feedback voltage related to the output voltage. The PWM generator generates a PWM signal according to the first signal, so as to control the operations of the output stage.

Abstract: In some embodiments described herein, proposed schemes utilize a duty-cycle sensing technique to detect load current imbalance in each individual inductor, and then adjusts the duty cycles for the specific phases through a digital duty cycle tuner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a converter of a fuel cell vehicle that uses a power control value generated based on an inverter DC terminal voltage as a reference value, and generates a current reference signal based on the reference value is provided. More specifically, the method and apparatus output a final reference signal that generates a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal by compensating for the current reference signal based on output terminal current of the converter. A peak value is then increased by amplifying a triangular wave signal, and the amplified triangular wave signal and the compensated final reference signal according to the current reference signal change rate are compared. A PWM signal having a predetermined duty ratio is then generated to control the converter.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a direct-current power supply device and an LED lighting apparatus are provided in which arc discharge is more certainly detected and versatility can be improved. The direct-current power supply device includes a constant-current circuit, a voltage detection unit, a current detection unit and a control unit. The constant-current circuit is supplied with power by an external power supply and outputs a constant current to an LED. The voltage detection unit detects one of a load voltage and an electric quantity corresponding to the load voltage. The current detection unit detects one of a load current and an electric quantity corresponding to the load current. The control unit reduces or stops the output current from the constant-current circuit if a detected value of the voltage detection unit increases and a detected value of the current detection unit does not at least increase.

Abstract: A method for detecting output power of a power converter is applied for detecting power outputted from the power converter as an electronic device is electrically connected with the power converter. The method comprises the following steps: First, it is to control a battery of the electronic device to supplies power to the electronic device and disconnecting a power supply path of supplying the power from the power converter to the electronic device. After disconnecting the power supply path, the impedance of the voltage dividing circuit of the power converter is regulated to vary the power supply voltage outputted to the electronic device. And then, the varied power supply voltage is detected and the power outputted form the power converter will be recognized according to the power supply voltage.

Abstract: A reconfigurable DC-DC converter including a controller is disclosed which automatically adjusts the mode of operation (buck mode or boost mode) depending on the system requirements and is able to achieve the maximum efficiency and the lowest inductance current. The method of switching between buck and boost mode allows the converter to operate to 100% duty cycle for buck mode and 0% duty cycle for boost mode. This maximizes efficiency since the buck-boost mode of operation is eliminated and improves the stability and reliability of the system. A converter output voltage is processed and compared to a control voltage to generate buck and boost comparator output signals. The buck and boost comparator output signals are provided to control logic, which generates switch control signals, which are provided to the DC-DC converter to establish buck mode, boost mode, or pass-through mode.

Abstract: A method for controlling a power converter that includes a first cell having an output connected at a first node in parallel with a second cell includes sensing a voltage signal at the first node, defining a current set point associated with the converter, processing the current set point associated with the converter to define a current set point associated with the first cell, sensing a current output by the first cell, controlling the first cell such that the first cell outputs a current substantially similar to the current set point associated with the first cell, processing the current set point associated with the converter to define a current set point associated with the second cell, sensing a current output by the second cell, and controlling the second cell such that the second cell outputs a current substantially similar to the current set point associated with the second cell.

Abstract: A multi-winding inductor includes a first foil winding and a second foil winding. One end of the first foil winding extends from a first side of the core and wraps under the core to form a solder tab under the core. One end of the second foil winding extends from a second side of the core and wraps under the core to form another solder tab under the core. Respective portions of each solder tab are laterally adjacent under the magnetic core. A coupled inductor includes a magnetic core including a first and a second end magnetic element and a plurality of connecting magnetic elements disposed between and connecting the first and second end magnetic elements. A respective first and second single turn foil winding is wound at least partially around each connecting magnetic element. Each foil winding has two ends forming respective solder tabs.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling a boost converter. In one embodiment, the method includes processing an input current command through a plurality of prioritized limiting circuits to determine whether to limit the input current command and limiting the input current command to limit the boost converter when it is determined to limit the input current command. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an energy source coupled to a boost converter that provides an output voltage responsive to a current command signal. An inverter is coupled to the boost converter to provide multiple phased currents to a multi-phase motor for a vehicle. A controller coupled to the boost converter for providing the current command signal by processing an input current command through a plurality of prioritized limiting circuits and determining whether to limit the input current command to provide the current command signal to the boost converter.

Abstract: A method for operating a wind turbine having at least one blade includes determining an ambient air operating envelope and controlling a power output of the wind turbine at least partially based on the determined ambient air operating envelope. Determining an ambient air operating envelope includes measuring at least one of an ambient air temperature, an ambient air pressure, an ambient air humidity, and wind turbine power output. The method also includes comparing at least one of a measured ambient air temperature, a measured ambient air humidity and a measured ambient air pressure to predetermined ambient air temperature, pressure and humidity values. The method further includes referencing the predetermined ambient air temperature, pressure and humidity values to at least one operational parameter of the wind turbine. The method also includes determining if an existing wind turbine power output is within a range associated with the determined ambient air operating envelope.

Abstract: A power supply device for a camera device operating at a plurality of operating powers in a mobile terminal. A switching regulator generates an operating power having a highest power consumption among the operating powers from a battery power of the mobile terminal. The consumption current of the power supply device for the camera device can be significantly reduced by the switching regulator generating a sub power. The sub-power is supplied as a core power, a sensor power, and an Input/Output (I/O) power among the operating powers.

Abstract: Circuitry to provide a supply voltage. A voltage regulator is coupled to receive a target reference signal. The voltage regulator generates a supply voltage (Vtt) and is coupled to receive the supply voltage as an input signal. An upper limit comparator receives an upper limit voltage signal that is higher than the target reference voltage signal and the supply voltage to generate a “too high” signal when the supply voltage exceeds an upper threshold. A lower limit comparator receives a lower limit voltage signal that is lower than the target reference voltage signal and the supply voltage to generate a “too low” signal when the supply voltage is below a lower threshold. A pull up current source is coupled to pull the supply voltage up in response to the too low signal. A pull down current source is coupled to pull the supply voltage down in response to the too high signal.

Abstract: There is provided a power management device including a load current control unit configured to set an upper limit on a load current supplied from a connected feeding device and to control the load current on the basis of the upper limit, and a determination unit configured to, when the load current control unit has reset the upper limit to a higher value, determine if the upper limit has exceeded a current capacity of the feeding device on the basis of a voltage drop level of an input voltage. The load current control unit may reset the upper limit in increments or decrements of a predetermined value, and the load current control unit may, when the determination unit has determined that the upper limit had exceeded the current capacity of the feeding device, control the load current by resetting the upper limit to a value not exceeding the current capacity.

Abstract: A power source management system of a circuit board that comprises: a processor, comprising a core voltage input terminal; and a core voltage feedback terminal; and a voltage regulating member, comprising a setting terminal with a fixed reference voltage provided thereto; a detecting terminal connected to the core voltage feedback terminal to detect a feedback core voltage from the core voltage feedback terminal; and a core voltage output terminal connected to the core voltage input terminal to provide a core voltage thereto, wherein the core voltage is regulated by the voltage regulating member based on the feedback core voltage, such that the feedback core voltage is equal to the fixed reference voltage, wherein an offset voltage equal to a difference between a desired core voltage of the processor and the fixed reference voltage is provided between the core voltage input terminal and the core voltage feedback terminal by the processor.

Abstract: This disclosure is drawn to methods, systems, devices and/or apparatus related to power control in applications over long cables. Specifically, the disclosed methods, systems, devices and/or apparatus relate to power control that considers the maximum power available at the end of a long cable (or from a battery) to a load over a broad range of load conditions. Some example systems may include a power supply located at the Earth's surface and a power converter coupled to the power supply via a cable having a first end coupled to the power supply and a second end coupled to the power converter. Some example power converters may be configured to measure the power being consumed by the electrical load in the well, and adjust operating parameter(s) of the electrical load based, at least in part, on the maximum power available at the second end of the cable.

Abstract: An AC-DC power converter includes a rectifying unit, an output stage, a controller and a soft-start circuit. The rectifying unit is configured to rectify an AC voltage to a rectified voltage. The output stage is coupled to the rectifying unit and configured to convert the rectified voltage into a DC voltage for a load. The controller is coupled to the output stage and configured to control the output stage. The soft-start circuit is coupled to the rectifying unit to receive the rectified voltage. The soft-start circuit is configured to detect whether the rectified voltage is at or below a predetermined level, and to enable the controller if the rectified voltage is detected to be at or below the predetermined level.

Abstract: Mixers are described which allow for information sharing in redundant systems, while providing sufficient isolation between redundant system components to enable fault-tolerant operation.

Abstract: An apparatus to control an amount of current delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load includes a line terminal configured to be connected to the AC power source, a load terminal configured to be connected to the electrical load, a controllably conductive power switch in series electrical connection between the line terminal and the load terminal, and a switching circuit configured to control a conductive state of the controllably conductive power switch wherein the switching circuit is configured to automatically detect at least one electrical characteristic.

Abstract: An electric power planning apparatus is provided. The apparatus has an initial plan creating section, a generation amount probability density distribution creating section, an economic load dispatch calculating section, and a display section. The initial plan creating section creates an initial plan based on a demand predicted value, a predicted value of a natural energy electric power source power generation output amount, and electric power source equipment data. The generation amount probability density distribution creating section creates a probability density distribution using fluctuation bands of the demand and of the natural energy electric power source power generation output amount. The economic load dispatch calculating section calculates an output allocation based on the initial plan and the probability density distribution to create a prediction distribution of a power generation output of the controllable electric power source. The display section displays the prediction distribution.

Abstract: Methods and circuits for providing a minimum driving voltage to a current-driven load (such as a laser diode) are disclosed. The circuit and methods may be useful for efficiently providing a bias and/or driving current to the current-driven load with minimal energy loss. The circuit generally comprises (1) a driver or voltage source configured to provide the bias and/or driving current to the current-driven load, (2) a sense circuit configured to (i) sense the bias and/or driving current and (ii) convert the bias and/or driving current to a first voltage, and (3) a comparator configured to (i) receive the first voltage and first and second reference voltages and (ii) provide a feedback/error signal to the driver or voltage source, the feedback/error signal configured to maintain or adjust the bias and/or driving current at or towards a target value.

Abstract: Methods and systems for mitigation of intermittent generation impact on electrical power system may be provided. A voltage of the power line may be monitored. A change in the voltage of the power line may be determined. A power output of an energy generation source connected to the power line may be altered based on the determined change in the voltage on the power line to compensate for the change in the voltage.

Abstract: As disclosed herein, two hysteresis levels, a high level a low level, may be used to set a period (and the switching frequency) of the output voltage of a DC-DC converter, as well as the output ripple of the converter. These two thresholds may be changed using a set of switches. By controlling the sequence and the duration of the on-time of the switches, spectral spurs in the output can be controlled and the amplitude and the frequency band of interest can be reduced. Additional spur reduction may be possible by randomizing the control of the switches.

Abstract: A power supply system providing communication from a master module to at least one slave module via transients, to alter operation of a load, is provided. The master module output a supply voltage that is either a normal supply voltage or a reduced supply voltage. The outputted supply voltage depends on input corresponding to a communication to be sent to the slave module to alter operation of the load of the slave module. The slave module receives the supply voltage and interprets the received supply voltage, which may vary between the normal and reduced supply voltages, to determine what the communication from the master module is. The slave module then uses information from the communication to appropriately alter operation of its load.

Abstract: A connection switch control part that, within a voltage change period where an applied voltage to an inverter can be changed by repeatedly and alternately switching to a serial state where a first power supply and a second power supply are connected in series to the inverter and to a parallel state where the first power supply and the second power supply are connected in parallel to the inverter, provides: a first period during which current of either one of the first power supply and the second power supply changes with an increasing trend, and current of the other one changes with a decreasing trend; and a second period during which current of one of the power supplies changes with a decreasing trend and current of the other power supply changes with an increasing trend.

Abstract: A novel and useful radio frequency (RF) front end module (FEM) circuit that provides high linearity and power efficiency and meets the requirements of modern wireless communication standards such as 802.11 WLAN, 3G and 4G cellular standards, Bluetooth, ZigBee, etc. The configuration of the FEM circuit permits the use of common, relatively low cost semiconductor fabrication techniques such as standard CMOS processes. The FEM circuit includes a power amplifier made up of one or more sub-amplifiers having high and low power circuits and whose outputs are combined to yield the total desired power gain. An integrated multi-tap transformer having primary and secondary windings arranged in a novel configuration provide efficient power combining and transfer to the antenna of the power generated by the individual sub-amplifiers.

Abstract: A power source (30, 32) supply circuit (28) is provided in a communication system of protective headgear for supplying a communication system from a power source (30, 32) associated with the protective headgear. The supply circuit (28) includes a boost converter (44) for better utilization of the electric power supplied by the power source (30, 32). Protective headgear is provided with such a supply circuit (28) for supplying the protective headgear. A method is also provided for operating such a supply circuit (28).

Abstract: A temperature-controlled power supply system is disclosed. The temperature-controlled power supply system comprises a power source, for supplying input power; a rechargeable battery module, for receiving the input power for power storage; a charging unit, coupled between the power source and the rechargeable battery module, for charging the rechargeable battery module with the input power; a temperature sensing unit, coupled to the rechargeable battery module, for sensing a temperature of the rechargeable battery module; and a current control unit, coupled to the temperature sensing unit and the charging unit, for controlling a current for charging the rechargeable battery module according to the temperature of the rechargeable battery module.

Abstract: There is disclosed a voltage supply stage comprising: a selection means for selecting one of a plurality of power supply voltages in dependance on a reference signal representing a desired power supply voltage; a combining means for combining the selected power supply voltage with a correction signal to generate an adjusted power supply voltage; and an adjusting means adapted to generate the correction signal in dependence on the reference signal and the adjusted power supply voltage, wherein the selection means is arranged to select the one of the plurality of supply voltages further in dependence on a signal derived from one of the inputs to the combining means.

Abstract: A digitally controlled power supply of the present invention comprises: a power unit outputting an output voltage, first and second feedback signals; a first A/D converter outputting a digital feedback signal and a first monitoring signal; a second A/D converter outputting a second monitoring signal; a driver outputting the gate signal; a digital controller for power supply control comprising a PWM circuit and a first failure detection signal output unit outputting a first failure detection signal when the first monitoring signal is not within a predetermined range; a digital controller for monitoring comprising a second failure detection signal output unit which outputs a second failure detection signal when the second monitoring signal is not within a predetermined range; and an alarm output unit outputting an alarm when at least either the first or second failure detection signal is output.

Abstract: A voltage regulating circuit is provided for regulating an output voltage in order to minimize an absolute difference between a level of said output voltage and a reference level. The voltage regulating circuit comprises a voltage regulator and a reference level generator. The reference level generator generates an internal reference level on the basis of said output voltage level and said reference level such that said internal reference level does not exceed said output voltage level by more than a maximum allowed increment. The voltage regulator regulates said output voltage in order to minimize an absolute difference between said output voltage level and said internal reference level. A method of regulating an output voltage is also disclosed.

Abstract: In a voltage converter, a mode configuration is selected in response to a mode control signal using a switch matrix having two or more mode configurations. Each mode configuration corresponds to one of two or more output signal voltages. The output signal is compared with a reference signal to produce a direction comparison signal. The direction comparison signal is used to produce the mode control signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a feedback detection circuit, adapted to provide a feedback detection signal wherein a converting circuit provides a driving power source to drive a load according to the feedback detection signal. The feedback detection circuit comprises an operational conversion circuit and a signal limitation circuit. The operational conversion circuit generates the feedback detection signal in response to a level of a detected node of the load. The operational conversion circuit has an operational amplifier, which modulates the level of the feedback detection signal in response to the level of the detected node. The signal limitation circuit is coupled to the operational conversion circuit for clamping a level rang of the feedback detection signal.

Abstract: A parallel power supply includes a built-in test switch and a control and determination unit. The built-in test switch is arranged to generate a first detection signal. The control and determination unit is coupled to the built-in test switch. When receiving the first detection signal, the control and determination unit is operative for enabling a detection mechanism according to the first detection signal in order to detect an operation of the parallel power supply, and accordingly generating a detection result. A power detection method for a parallel power supply includes: disposing a built-in test switch inside the parallel power supply; and when receiving a first detection signal generated from the built-in test switch, enabling a detection mechanism according to the first detection signal in order to detect an operation of the parallel power supply, and accordingly generating a detection result.

Abstract: In a multi-phase power supply voltage regulator functioning at a nominal switching frequency, one or more phases are kept off for optimizing energy efficiency at relatively low load conditions. Reactivation of stand-by phases in response to a load increase transient is made more efficiently by exploiting information already present in the output voltage control loop. The technique comprises a) deriving from the control loop information on the equivalent nominal switching frequency given by the product of the nominal switching frequency by the number of active phases; b) updating at every beat of a clock signal the instantaneous value of the equivalent switching frequency; c) determining the band of equivalent switching frequency values to which the instantaneous value belongs; d) logically combining the equivalent switching frequency information with a determined band of output current level, for switching on one or more stand-by phases in response to a load increase transient.

Abstract: A power management method includes: reading the driving current; determining if a driving current of an electronic device is less than or equal to a first steady current value for a first period of time; turning off a first electronic module to decrease the driving current when the driving current is less than or equal to the first steady current value for the first period of time; determining if the driving current is within a first judging range for a second period of time; updating the first steady current value with a second steady current value when the driving current is within the first judging range for the second period of time; determining if the second steady current value is less than or equal to an energy saving set value.