Dell Products Inc.

Apple Inc.

Kejiu Zhang

Shiguo Luo

Hang Li

Ralph H Johnson

Feng-Yu Wu

John J Breen

Lei Wang

Tsai-Fu Hung

Sunil M Akre

Shin-Chen Wang

Guangyong Zhu

Mehran Mirjafari

Wayne Kenneth Cook

Lisa Li

Ralph J Johnson, Iii

Systems and methods for adaptive modulation of MOSFET driver key parameters for improved voltage regulator efficiency and reliability in a voltage regulator may include a power stage. The power stage may include a high side switch including a high side gate, a peak voltage detection circuit, and a high side driver strength modulator circuit. The high side driver strength modulator circuit may determine a high side driver strength level. The high side driver strength modulator circuit may also connect a subset of the set of high side gate drivers to the high side gate based on the high side driver strength level. The high side driver strength modulator circuit may also disconnect a remaining subset of the set of high side gate drivers from the high side gate.

Adaptive modulation scheme of MOSFET driver key parameters for improved voltage regulator efficiency and system reliability

The disclosed technology relates to a power supply circuit that utilizes a double-sided printed circuit board (PCB) that has a first surface and a second surface. The second surface is disposed opposite the first surface. Mounted on the first surface is a first power stage and a first inductor. Mounted on the second surface is a second power stage and a second inductor. The second power stage is disposed opposite the first power stage. The second inductor is disposed opposite the first inductor.

Mirrored voltage regulator for high-current applications and method the same

The disclosed technology relates to a power supply circuit that utilizes an integrated power module that has a first and second power converter disposed on opposite sides of an inductor core. The power supply circuit includes an inductor core comprising a plurality of nano-magnetic layers embedded within a printed circuit board, a first winding disposed on a first outer surface of the inductor core, a second winding disposed on a second outer surface of the inductor core, a first active layer disposed on an outer surface of the first winding, a second active layer disposed on an outer surface of the second winding, a first capacitor tile disposed on an outer surface of the first active layer, and a second capacitor tile disposed on an outer surface of the second active layer.

Double inductor integrated power module for high current applications

A method, a power control system, and an information handling system (IHS) for operating voltage regulators (VRs) in an IHS. The method includes detecting, via a VR controller, a real time current level of a processor and receiving a first temperature value from a temperature sensor. The VR controller calculates a modified current level based on the real time current level, the first temperature value and a pre-defined temperature value and applies the modified current level to the processor.

Operating voltage regulators in an information handling system

A multiphase voltage regulator (VR) has a VR controller that performs automatic VR phase assignment and configuration for single or multi-output rails of an Information Handling System (IHS). VR power circuit has power stages selectably coupled to output voltage connection(s) or rail(s) that deliver electrical energy to information handling resource(s). VR controller is coupled to the VR power circuit and provides a first reference voltage (IREF) signal to the VR power circuit. VR controller identifies any power stages that return a load current monitor (IMON) signal that indicates that the respective power stage is coupled to the first IREF signal. VR controller regulates identified power stages of the VR power circuit during delivery of electrical power to information handling resource(s). Regulation is according to a VR configuration that is selected based on identified VR phases assigned to a first output voltage loop and associated with the first IREF signal.

Automatic detection of voltage regulator phase assignment and configuration for multi-output rails

An information handling system (IHS) includes temperature-compensated power control by a voltage regulation (VR) module to: (i) receive a monitored current (Imon) value from a current sensor integrated into the VR module; (ii) receive a temperature value from the temperature sensor also integrated into the VR module; (iii) determine a temperature-compensated Imon value based at least in part on the Imon value, the temperature value, and an empirically-derived temperature coefficient defined at the Imon value and the temperature value; and (iv) control the voltage-regulated power at least in part based on the temperature-compensated Imon value. The empirically-derived temperature coefficient adjusts for nonlinear portions of temperature coupling relationship between a portion of an integrated circuit (IC) die that can include the current sensor and the temperature sensor and a temperature experienced by by active portion of VR module.

Current sense accuracy improvement for MOSFET RDS (on) sense based voltage regulator by adaptive temperature compensation

A direct current (DC) power supply system performs a method of delivering electrical energy by a synchronous buck voltage regulator (VR) coupled to an information handling resource of an information handling system by switching between a high side (HS) control switch and a low side (LS) synchronous switch to regulate a direct current (DC) output voltage (VOUT) generated from an input voltage (VIN). Inductor current (IMON) values of the voltage regulator are measured during LS synchronous switch ON state. IMON values of the voltage regulator are synthesized during HS power switch ON state. A complete inductor current signal is generated that combines the measured and synthesized IMON values.

Voltage regulation based on current sensing in MOSFET drain-to-source resistance in on-state RDS(ON)

A voltage regulator for delivering power to a processor subsystem within an information handling system is disclosed. The voltage regulator includes an interface to an embedded controller for receiving a linear load line impedance and an intelligent load line controller. The intelligent load line controller may enable linear load line control, determine that a nonlinear load line condition is satisfied, and enable nonlinear load line control based on the determination that the nonlinear load line condition is satisfied.

Method and system for intelligent load line control of information handling systems

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.

Systems and methods for managing a voltage regulator

A method and an information handling system (IHS) perform current calibration of a multi-phase voltage regulator (VR) by using a calibrated operating phase to calibrate an unknown operating phase. A calibration controller, using a pulse width modulation (PWM) controller, enables a first unknown operating phase within a first converter sub-circuit in the multiphase VR. The calibration controller enables a calibrated circuit component electronically coupled to the first unknown operating phase. The calibration controller determines a target voltage for the first unknown operating phase based on sense component specifications. The calibration controller determines, for the first unknown operating phase, a sense voltage that identifies the first unknown operating phase as a first evaluated operating phase. The calibration controller performs calibration of operating phases of the multi-phase VR, including the first evaluated operating phase, based on a respective difference between a sense voltage and a corresponding target voltage for each operating phase.

Per-phase current calibration method for a multi-phase voltage regulator

An information handling system (IHS) performs current calibration of a multi-phase VR using leakage current as a reference current. The IHS includes a multi-phase voltage regulator (VR) module coupled to an output port of a power supply unit (PSU). The VR module includes: a multi-phase VR having an integrated power stage that provides pulse width modulation (PWM) functionality for controlling operating phases of VR current in the multi-phase VR; and a digital controller coupled to the multi-phase VR. The controller: enables a known, high accuracy operating phase as loading calibrator for offset training; records a leakage current value as a reference current; enables a first unknown, low accuracy operating phase; determines, for the unknown operating phase, an offset value that provides a specified target current accuracy; updates an offset register for the unknown operating phase with the corresponding offset value; and disables the unknown operating phase.

A voltage regulator includes circuitry for regulating a voltage output of the voltage regulator and a snubber circuit. The snubber circuit includes a switching device which is controlled to electronically connect or disconnect the snubber circuit with the circuitry of the voltage regulator device. The switching device may be controlled by a controller based on one or more parameters indicating a load of the voltage regulator device.

Snubber for voltage regulation

To prevent cross-conduction when switching switches in switching circuitry for voltage regulation, a dead time may be maintained between turning off a switch and turning on a switch. The dead time may be determined based on a switching transition voltage and a voltage of the switching circuitry and may be implemented using a timer.

System and method for preventing cross-conduction when switching circuitry during voltage regulation

Disclosed herein are embodiments of an improved switching regulator and a method for controlling a switching regulator, for example, to meet stringent transient demand and high efficiency requirements over wide operating range without impacting system stability. According to one embodiment, the switching regulator may be a voltage regulator comprising a plurality of voltage regulator phases, each phase comprising a power stage operable to produce an output voltage for a transient load, and a driver stage coupled for driving the power stage based on a modulated input signal supplied to the driver stage. A variable inductor is included within the power stages in order to meet stringent transient demand and high efficiency requirements over a range of load conditions and operating set points. A power controller is coupled for controlling the modulated input signals supplied to the driver stages to compensate for changing output filter characteristics when the inductance of the variable inductors changes with changes in the load current.

Growing community of inventors

Round Rock, TX, United States of America

Kejiu Zhang