The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 23, 1999
Filed:
Dec. 15, 1997
Alan E Brown, Georgetown, TX (US);
Dell USA, L.P., Round Rock, TX (US);
Abstract
Electronic systems such as computer systems often utilize regulated voltage to meet system requirements such as accurate logic levels and predictable performance. A switching voltage regulator implements a pulse width modulator using two timer circuits, such as 555 class timers, configured in a master/slave relationship to provide modulation signals to control current flow to a voltage regulator output filter. The switching regulator employing the pulse width modulator may be arranged as a buck switching voltage regulator, and the pulse width modulator alternately turns switches in a switch bank ON (low impedance current path) and OFF (high impedance current path) to facilitate current flow to energy storage elements configured as an averaging filter. Furthermore, additional timer circuitry may be implemented to ensure nonoverlap of current flow in the switches. Additionally, feedback signals may provide error feedback to the pulse width modulator to facilitate voltage regulation, and a signal source, such as a processor, may be utilized to programmably control a voltage regulator output voltage by controlling pulse width duty cycles and/or periods.