Intel Corporation

Robert D Wickersham

James S Dinh

Edward L Payton

William G Rider

Daniel Kingsley

Harold L Massie

Donald J Nguyen

Geron Mark Johnston

In one embodiment, the present invention includes a primary voltage regulator to couple a regulated voltage to a processor via a supply line. This regulator includes a multi-phase controller to provide the regulated voltage in multiple phases and to provide a maximum current output sufficient to meet a thermal design power (TDP) of the processor. In addition, an auxiliary voltage regulator may be configured to provide an excess current to the processor via the supply line for a time limited duration, e.g., based on the supply line state. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Providing additional current capacity to a processor for a turbo mode

In some embodiments, a voltage regulator device may include a variable frequency voltage regulator, a sense circuit coupled to an output of the variable frequency voltage regulator, the sense circuit to sense a signal corresponding to an output condition of the variable frequency voltage regulator, and a frequency adjust circuit coupled between the sense circuit and the variable frequency voltage regulator, the frequency adjust circuit to dynamically adjust an operating frequency of the variable frequency voltage regulator based on the signal sensed by the sense circuit during operation of the variable frequency voltage regulator. For example, the frequency adjust circuit may be configured to adjust the operating frequency of the variable frequency voltage regulator over a range of frequencies for a corresponding range of sensed output conditions. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Voltage regulator controller frequency varied by load current

In some embodiments, a regulator with a reverse coupled inductor is provided. It can operate in both a multi-phase and a phase shed mode. When in the phase shed mode, it has circuitry to provide a low resistance path for induced current.

Circuit and method for phase shedding with reverse coupled inductor

In some embodiments a power circuit includes a driver output, a MOSFET, and circuitry to ensure a full and fast positive drive to a gate of the MOSFET when the driver output goes to a high signal level, and to ensure a full and fast low negative drive to the gate of the MOSFET when the driver output goes to a low signal level. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

MOSFET gate interface

A system may include a voltage controller to provide a control signal, a voltage converter to receive the control signal and to change a value of an output voltage in response to the control signal, and an evaluation circuit to determine that a threshold associated with a pulse width of the control signal has been satisfied and to change an electrical value on which a frequency of the control signal is based if the threshold has been satisfied. The voltage controller may increase the frequency of the control signal in response to the changed electrical value. The increase in frequency may be continuous and may begin at start-up.

Switching regulator frequency control

A voltage converter includes a transformer circuit, a filter, and a controller. The transformer circuit is coupled to the filter, and the controller is coupled to the transformer circuit and the filter. The transformer circuit includes an input port and an autotransformer coupled to the input port. The voltage converter receives an input signal at the input port and generates a transformer output signal from a transformer output port. The filter receives the transformer output signal on a filter input port and the filter generates an output signal at an output port. The controller receives the output signal from the filter and provides one or more control signals to the transformer circuit to control the output signal. A method includes receiving a first input signal on an input port at a transformer circuit including a first coil and a second coil, activating a first switch to serially connect the first coil to the second coil, activating a second switch to connect the second coil to a second input port, deactivating the first switch and the second switch, and activating a third switch to connect the first input signal to the second input port.

Voltage converter

A buck converter is disclosed which prevents a voltage drop below a desired voltage when a load change occurs. The buck converter generates an override signal to turn on one or more switch devices in the circuitry. The effect of the override signal is to provide a sudden increase in the current supplied to a load, preventing the output voltage from dropping below the predetermined level. Sensing circuitry within the buck converter detects a voltage drop at the load, causing the override signal to be generated. The override signal may be a continuous signal or a one-shot pulse. Additional current sensing circuitry and the switch history of the buck converter determines the duration of the override signal for one embodiment and the number of switches activated within the buck converter.

Buck converter with transient suppression

Briefly, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a DC-to-DC converter includes: a circuit configuration to modify the set point of the output voltage signal level of the DC-to-DC converter circuit in response to a transient signal by an amount related, at least in part, to the magnitude of the transient signal. Briefly, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, a DC-to-DC converter circuit includes: a high-side and a low-side voltage switching device. The switching devices are coupled in a circuit configuration to apply a control voltage signal to each switching device based, at least in part, on the state of the other switching device.

DC-to-DC converter

A method for limiting a switching current and limiting a voltage drop across a circuit includes the steps of limiting a current sent from a power source to a switching device during a turn on time of the switching device by disposing an inductor device in series between the power source and said switching device and returning flux energy stored in said inductor device to the power source during a turn off time of the switching device.

Method to increase the efficiency of a power switching device

An improved multi-phase voltage regulator is disclosed. That voltage regulator includes a multi-phase switching signal generator for generating a plurality of out of phase switching signals. Those switching signals define a fixed duty cycle for each of a plurality of switching voltage converters. A switching mechanism is coupled to the multi-phase switching signal generator. That switching mechanism has an input for receiving a feedback voltage and includes logic for enabling and disabling the multi-phase switching signal generator.

Gated multi-phase fixed duty cycle voltage regulator

Briefly, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a circuit includes a DC-to-DC converter. The DC-to-DC converter includes a high-side field effect transistor (FET) and FET driver. The gate of the high-side FET is AC coupled to the FET driver. The gate-to-source electrical path of the high-side FET is coupled to be driven by a substantially fixed voltage during circuit operation.

Growing community of inventors

Roy, WA, United States of America

Robert D Wickersham