Integrated power supply system

• US 7,405,497 B2
• Filed: 04/13/2004
• Issued: 07/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Electrovaya Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Electrovaya Incorporated
• Inventors: Vandermeer, David, Jacobs, James K., DasGupta, Sankar
• Primary Examiner(s): Jackson; Stephen W
• Assistant Examiner(s): RUTLAND WALLIS, MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US10/822,856
• Publication Number:
  US 20050225177A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,568 Days
• Field of Search: 307/82, 307/71, 363/71
• US Class Current: 307/82
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/08 Three-wire systems; Systems having more than three wires
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/082 Plural DC voltage, e.g. DC supply voltage with at least two different DC voltage levels

Abstract

An ultra-high-efficiency switching power supply system integrating, into a single package, power conversion switches for multiple power supplies, an input power switching block, an output power switching block, control logic for controlling the power conversion switches and control input/output ports. This integrated multiple power supply package is called a Power Bridge and preferably implements the integrated components as one or more integrated circuit chips housed in the package housing. The Power Bridge is a bridge between the microprocessor of a portable computer and its internal and external power sources. The power supply system facilitates board design because the ultra-high-efficiency power module generally requires less space and generates less heat than conventional power supply circuitry. The power supply module improves power management because of improved communications connections between the power supply module control circuitry and other components, such as busses, other bridge modules and embedded controllers.

Claims

1. A power supply system comprising:

a package housing;

a first circuitry portion, the first circuitry portion comprising at least one first power conversion switch structured to perform power conversion switching to facilitate conversion of at least a first power input signal into a first power output signal;

a second circuitry portion, the second circuitry portion comprising at least one second power conversion switch structured to perform power conversion switching to facilitate conversion of at least the first power input signal into a second power output signal;

a third circuitry portion, the third circuitry portion comprising at least one third power conversion switch structured to perform power conversion switching to facilitate conversion of at least the first power input signal into a third power output signal;

a fourth circuitry portion, the fourth circuitry portion comprising at least one fourth power conversion switch structured to perform power conversion switching to facilitate conversion of at least the first power input signal into a fourth power output signal;

a fifth circuitry portion, the fifth circuitry portion comprising at least one fifth power conversion switch structured to perform power conversion switching to facilitate conversion of the first power input signal into a fifth power output signal;

a control logic block, located within the package housing, the control logic block being structured and located to at least partially control the operation of the at least one first power conversion switch, the at least one second power conversion switch, the at least one third power conversion switch, the at least one fourth power conversion switch, and the at least one fifth power conversion switch;

a first switch driver for controlling the position of the at least one first power conversion switch;

a second switch driver for controlling the position of the at least one second power conversion switch;

a third switch driver for controlling the position of the at least one third power conversion switch;

a fourth switch driver for controlling the position of the at least one fourth power conversion switch;

a fifth switch driver for controlling the position of the at least one fifth power conversion switch;

a control input/output port, located within the package housing, the control input/output port being structured and located to receive at least one communication signal from outside of the package housing, wherein;

a mode of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth power conversion switches is determined by the communication signal;

the operation of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth switch drivers is controlled by

the control logic block based at least in part by the mode; and

wherein all power conversion switches required for respectively convening the first power input signal into the first through fifth power output signals are located within the package housing.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the first power input signal is a dc signal;

the first power output signal is a dc signal; and

the second power output signal is a dc signal.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the first power input signal is a dc signal;

the first power output signal is an ac signal; and

the second power output signal is a dc signal.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the at least one first power conversion switch is structured to perform ultra high efficiency power conversion; and

the at least one second power conversion switch is structured to perform ultra high efficiency power conversion.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the at least one first power conversion switch is structured to perform high efficiency power conversion; and

the at least one second power conversion switch is structured to perform high efficiency power conversion.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one first power conversion switch is structured to perform low efficiency power conversion.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the first circuitry portion comprises at least two first power conversion switches structured to perform power conversion switching to facilitate conversion of the first power input signal into the first power output signal; and

the second circuitry portion comprises at least two second power conversion switches structured to perform power conversion switching to facilitate conversion of the second power input signal into the second power output signal.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the system is high power.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the system is low power.

10. The system of claim 1 further comprising the core of a central processing unit, wherein the at least one first power conversion switch is operable so that the first power output signal has an adjustable voltage output in the range of about +0.5 volts to +2.0 volts and is suitable for supporting the core.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the at least one second power conversion switch is operable so that the second power output signal has an adjustable voltage output in the range of about +0.5 volts to +2.0 volts and is suitable for supporting the core.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the first power output signal has a voltage of about +5 volts.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the first power output signal has a voltage of about +3.3 volts.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein the first power output signal has a voltage of about +1.8 volts.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein the first power output signal has a voltage of about +2.5 volts.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein the first power output signal has a voltage of about +12 volts.

17. The system of claim 1 wherein the system comprises a bridge between at least one power supply and a central processing unit.

18. The system of claim 1 further comprising a flip chip style die, including the first circuitry portion, the second circuitry portion, the third circuitry portion, the fourth circuitry portion, and the fifth circuitry portion, wherein the package housing is a flip chip style housing.

19. The system of claim 1 further comprising at least one semiconductor die, the at least one semiconductor die including the first circuitry portion, the second circuitry portion the third circuitry portion, the fourth circuitry portion, and the fifth circuitry portion.

20. The system of claim 1 further comprising a control input/output port, located within the package housing, the control input/output port being structured and located to receive at least one communication signal from outside of the package housing.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein the control input/output port is a serial port.

22. The system of claim 20 wherein the control input/output port comprises a USB port.

23. The system of claim 20 wherein the control input/output port comprises an I2C port.

24. The system of claim 20 wherein the control input/output port comprises a fixed port.

25. The system of claim 20 wherein the control input/output port comprises a SMbus port.

26. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a computer; and

an on/off control block, located within the package housing, the on/off control block being structured and located to initiate a power up process for the computer.

27. The system of claim 26 wherein:

the computer comprises an on/off switch; and

the on/off control block comprises an on/off port for interfacing with the on/off switch.

28. The system of claim 26 wherein the on/off port is designed for ultra-low power consumption when the computer is in a power-off condition.

29. The system of claim 26 further comprising a computer including an embedded controller, wherein the on/off control block comprises an embedded controller power-up module structured and located to power up the embedded controller.

30. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a first battery;

a first battery-charging output, located within the package housing, the first battery charging output having an adjustable voltage and current suitable for charging the first battery;

a first battery current path structured and located to electrically connect the first battery and the first battery-charging output so that the first battery can be charged by electrical power from the first battery-charging output.

31. The system of claim 30 further comprising a serial battery communication interface, located within the package housing, for communication with the battery.

32. The system of claim 30 further comprising:

a second battery;

a second battery-charging output, located within the package housing, the second battery charging output having an adjustable voltage and current suitable for charging the second battery;

a second battery current path structured and located to electrically connect the second battery and the second battery-charging output so that the second battery can be charged by electrical power from the second battery-charging output.

33. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a transformer suitable for powering a display backlight;

an ac output, located within the package housing, the ac output having adjustable voltage and/or current so that it is suitable for powering the transformer; and

a transformer current path structured and located to electrically connect the transformer and the ac output so that the transformer can be powered by electrical power from the ac output.

34. A power supply system comprising:

a package housing;

a first circuitry portion, located within the package housing, the first circuitry portion comprising at least one first power conversion switch, and being structured, electrically connected and/or programmed to perform power conversion switching to selectively convert at least a first power input signal and a second power input signal into a first power output signal; and

a second circuitry portion, located within the package housing, the second circuitry portion comprising at least one second power conversion switch, and being structured, electrically connected and/or programmed to perform power conversion switching to selectively convert at least the first power input signal and the second power input signal into a second power output signal;

wherein all power conversion switches required for respectively converting the first and second power input signals into the first and second power output signals are located within the package housing;

the first circuitry portion is further structured, electrically connected and/or programmed to perform power conversion switching to selectively convert a third power input signal into the first power output signal; and

the second circuitry portion is further structured, electrically connected and/or programed to perform power conversion switching to selectively convert the third power input signal into the second power output signal.

35. The system of claim 34 further comprising a third circuitry portion, located within the package housing, the third circuitry portion comprising at least one third power conversion switch, and being structured, electrically connected and/or programmed to perform power conversion switching to selectively convert at least the first power input signal and the second power input signal into a third power output signal, wherein all power conversion switches required for respectively converting the first and second power input signals into the third output signal are located within the package housing.

36. The system of claim 35 further comprising:

a fourth circuitry portion, located within the package housing, the fourth circuitry portion comprising at least one fourth power conversion switch and being structured, electrically connected and/or programmed to perform power conversion switching to selectively convert at least the first power input signal and the second power input signal into a fourth power output signal; and

a fifth circuitry portion, located within the package housing, the fifth circuitry portion comprising at least one fifth power conversion switch, and being structured, electrically connected and/or programmed to perform power, conversion switching to selectively convert at least the first power input signal and the second power input signal into a fifth power output signal; and

wherein all power conversion switches required for respectively converting the first and second power input signals into the fourth and fifth output signals are located within the package housing.

37. The system of claim 34 further comprising:

a third circuitry portion, located within the package housing, the third circuitry portion comprising at least one third power conversion switch, and being structured, electrical) connected and/or programmed to perform power conversion switching to selectively convert at least the first power input signal, the second power input signal and the third power input signal into a third power output signal;

a fourth circuitry portion, located within the package housing, the fourth circuitry portion comprising at least one fourth power conversion switch, and being structured, electrically connected and/or programmed to perform power conversion switching to selectively convert at least the first power input signal, the second power input signal and the third power input signal into a fourth power output signal; and

a fifth circuitry portion, located within the package housing, the fifth circuitry portion comprising at least one fifth power conversion switch, and being structured, electrically connected and/or programmed to perform power conversion switching to selectively convert at least the first power input signal, the second power input signal and the third power input signal into a fifth power output signal; and

wherein all power conversion switches required for respectively converting the first, second and third power input signals into the third, fourth and fifth output signals are located within the package housing.