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:
May. 02, 2000
Filed:
Nov. 20, 1997
Charles E Hawkes, Cary, NC (US);
Michael M Walters, Raleigh, NC (US);
Thomas A Jochum, Durham, NC (US);
Intersil Corporation, Palm Bay, FL (US);
Abstract
A circuit includes a plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits and separates in time switching of the respective power switches of the DC-to-DC converter circuits which would otherwise be switching at nearly a same time, such as based upon a same desired output level. The switching time may be separated by inverting a periodic control waveform of at least one of the DC-to-DC converter circuits. The multiple output DC-to-DC converter circuit thereby provides an increased noise margin and operates with greater accuracy and stability. The circuit may also determine when the DC-to-DC converter circuits would otherwise be switching at nearly the same time, and activate the switching time separation responsive thereto. For example, the determination may be made based upon a selectable output level being within a predetermined range of at least one other output level. The circuit in accordance with the invention is particularly advantageous for a single integrated circuit implementation, and may be used, for example, on a portable computer motherboard.