Patent · US Active

Pulse adding scheme for smooth phase dropping at light load conditions for multiphase voltage regulators

US8085017B2 · kind B2 · utility

4Cited by
7References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 31, 2010
Grant dateDec 27, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 31, 2030

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02B70/10
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A pulse control system for a multiphase regulator including an error amplifier, a multiphase generator, and an adaptive controller. The error amplifier provides an error signal indicative of output voltage error. The multiphase generator develops modulation pulses for phases based on the error signal. The adaptive controller is responsive to a load indication signal and redirects at least one modulation pulse from a first of phase to a second phase. The load indication signal may be received from a microprocessor indicating a low power mode. The adaptive controller provides a smooth and efficient transition to low load conditions by dropping operation of one or more phases and redirecting modulation pulses to the remaining one or more phases, and reduced phases improve power efficiency for the low load conditions.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.