Distributed power and supply architecture
First Claim
1. A power distribution management apparatus for supplying power to a plurality of loads, the apparatus comprising:
- a power and clock distribution controller capable of determining voltage, current and clock signal frequency targets for the plural loads;
plural power sources responsive to the controller so as to be selectively coupled with the loads to provide the target voltage and current to the loads, wherein the power sources have switching frequencies of at least one megahertz; and
plural clock signal sources responsive to the controller and coupled with the loads so as to provide clock signals to the loads at the target frequencies.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A power distribution management apparatus for supplying power to two or more loads includes a power and clock distribution controller capable of determining voltage, current and clock signal frequency targets for the loads. The apparatus also includes two or more power sources responsive to the controller so as to be selectively coupled with the loads to provide the target voltage and current to the loads. The power sources have switching frequencies of at least one megahertz. The apparatus further includes two or more clock signal sources responsive to the controller and coupled with the loads so as to provide clock signals to the loads at the target frequencies.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. A power distribution management apparatus for supplying power to a plurality of loads, the apparatus comprising:
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a power and clock distribution controller capable of determining voltage, current and clock signal frequency targets for the plural loads;
plural power sources responsive to the controller so as to be selectively coupled with the loads to provide the target voltage and current to the loads, wherein the power sources have switching frequencies of at least one megahertz; and
plural clock signal sources responsive to the controller and coupled with the loads so as to provide clock signals to the loads at the target frequencies. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for managing power distribution to a plurality of loads, the method comprising:
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determining one or more use conditions of the loads, wherein the use conditions include voltage, current and clock signal frequency targets for the loads;
modifying the operating conditions for one or more clock signal sources coupled with the plural loads based, at least in part, on the use conditions, so as to provide clock signals to the loads at respective target frequencies; and
modifying operating conditions for one or more power sources coupled with the plural loads based, at least in part, on the use conditions, so as to provide the target voltages and currents to the loads. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. An electronic system comprising:
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a plurality of loads;
a power and clock distribution controller capable of determining voltage, current and clock signal frequency targets for the loads;
plural power sources responsive to the controller and coupled with the plural loads so as to provide the target voltages and currents to the loads; and
plural clock signal sources responsive to the controller and coupled with the plural loads so as to provide clock signals to the loads at the target frequencies. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A power distribution management apparatus for supplying power to a plurality of loads, the apparatus comprising:
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a power and clock distribution controller capable of determining voltage, current and clock signal frequency targets for the plural loads;
plural regulated power sources coupled with at least one static power supply, the regulated power sources being responsive to the controller so as to be selectively coupled with the loads to provide the target voltage and current to the loads, wherein the power sources have switching frequencies of at least one megahertz;
plural clock signal sources responsive to the controller and coupled with the loads so as to provide clock signals to the loads at the target frequencies;
a cross-bridge connection network responsive to the controller, so as to selectively couple the power sources with the plural loads via the connection network;
and level-shifting circuitry, so as to allow electrical signal communication between loads of the plural loads operating at varying target voltages.
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Specification