Intelligent voltage regulator
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A voltage regulator comprising:
- a variable voltage generator configured to receive an input voltage and to generate a selected output voltage from a plurality of output voltages based, at least in part, on a selection signal corresponding to at least first and second power operational states of circuitry outside the voltage regulator; and
a processing element that can execute instructions, wherein the processing element is configured to obtain programming instructions generated outside the voltage regulator and to provide the selection signal to the variable voltage generator according to the programming instructions to cause the variable voltage generator to generate the selected output voltage in accordance with a selected one of the first and second power operational states.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A voltage regulator includes a programming interface via which programming instructions may be applied to a processor of the voltage regulator. The voltage regulator operates the processor according to the programming instructions to select one of multiple active internally-generated analog voltage levels to determine an output voltage level of the voltage regulator.
-
Citations
24 Claims
-
1. A voltage regulator comprising:
-
a variable voltage generator configured to receive an input voltage and to generate a selected output voltage from a plurality of output voltages based, at least in part, on a selection signal corresponding to at least first and second power operational states of circuitry outside the voltage regulator; and a processing element that can execute instructions, wherein the processing element is configured to obtain programming instructions generated outside the voltage regulator and to provide the selection signal to the variable voltage generator according to the programming instructions to cause the variable voltage generator to generate the selected output voltage in accordance with a selected one of the first and second power operational states. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A method of operating a programmable voltage regulator that includes a central processor unit, the method comprising:
-
receiving an input voltage and generating a selected output voltage from a plurality of output voltages based, at least in part, on a selection signal corresponding to at least first and second power operational states of circuitry outside the voltage regulator; executing, using the central processing unit, programming instructions generated outside the voltage regulator to provide the selection signal; and controlling a variable voltage generator of the programmable voltage regulator based on the selection signal to cause generation of the selected output voltage in accordance with a selected one of the first and second power operational states. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A voltage regulator to attach to a bus, the voltage regulator comprising:
-
a variable voltage generator configured to receive an input voltage and to generate a selected output voltage from a plurality of output voltages; and a processing element that can execute instructions, wherein the processing element is configured to obtain programming instructions received over the bus and to control the variable voltage generator according to the programming instructions to cause the variable voltage generator to generate the selected output voltage. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
-
-
21. A system, comprising:
-
a bus; a central processing unit attached to the bus; and a voltage regulator attached to the bus, wherein the voltage regulator is configured to generate a selected output voltage to power the central processing unit, and wherein the voltage regulator includes; a variable voltage generator configured to receive an input voltage and to generate the selected output voltage from a plurality of output voltages; and a processing element configured to; communicate directly with the central processing unit using one or more digital signals transmitted over the bus; and execute instructions, wherein the processing element is configured to obtain programming instructions and control the variable voltage generator according to the programming instructions and at least one of the digital signals to cause the variable voltage generator to generate the selected output voltage. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
-
Specification