Multi-threshold multi-gain active transient response circuit and method for digital multiphase pulse width modulated regulators
First Claim
1. A multiphase power regulator, comprising:
- a multiphase pulse width modulator;
an output stage, comprising a high side FET, a low side FET, and an inductor coupled to the multiphase pulse width modulator;
an active transient response circuit coupled between the output stage and the multiphase pulse width modulator and configured to detect the voltage level at the output stage and provide a signal to the multiphase pulse width modulator that is a function of the amplitude of the deviation of the detected voltage level from a target voltage; and
an adaptive voltage positioning circuit (AVP) for determining the target voltage, wherein the adaptive voltage positioning circuit comprises;
a first circuit for receiving a signal indicative of an active transient response event;
a second circuit for sensing a current at the output stage; and
a filter circuit coupled to an output of the first and second circuits, a bandwidth of the filter circuit being changed in response to a signal from the first circuit when a signal indicative of an active transient response event is received.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is a multi-phase pulse width modulated voltage regulator and method in which transient voltage excursions or deviations that exceed the load line voltage by more than a pre-determined amount are detected by an ATR circuit and a correction signal is applied. The correction signal is in the form of asynchronous pulses and the number of such pulses is a function of the magnitude of the voltage excursion as determined by the number of thresholds that are exceeded. Also disclosed is an adaptive voltage positioning (AVP) circuit and method for early detection of a transient event by sensing voltage changes at the load and adjusting the target voltage with pre-determined current values prior to the time that ATR event changes in the current at the load are detected.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A multiphase power regulator, comprising:
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a multiphase pulse width modulator; an output stage, comprising a high side FET, a low side FET, and an inductor coupled to the multiphase pulse width modulator; an active transient response circuit coupled between the output stage and the multiphase pulse width modulator and configured to detect the voltage level at the output stage and provide a signal to the multiphase pulse width modulator that is a function of the amplitude of the deviation of the detected voltage level from a target voltage; and an adaptive voltage positioning circuit (AVP) for determining the target voltage, wherein the adaptive voltage positioning circuit comprises; a first circuit for receiving a signal indicative of an active transient response event; a second circuit for sensing a current at the output stage; and a filter circuit coupled to an output of the first and second circuits, a bandwidth of the filter circuit being changed in response to a signal from the first circuit when a signal indicative of an active transient response event is received. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A digital multiphase power regulator, comprising:
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a digital controller; a first high side field effect transistor and a first low side field effect transistor connected at a common point therebetween, forming a series connection between a first and second potential source; a first node at said common point between said first high side field effect transistor and said first low side field effect transistor connected to one end of a first inductor, the other end of said first inductor coupled to a common connection of a capacitor and a load; a second high side field effect transistor and a second low side field effect transistor connected at a common point therebetween, forming a series connection between said first and second potential source; a second node at said common point between said second high side field effect transistor and said second low side field effect transistor connected to one end of a second inductor, the other end of said second inductor connected to said common connection of said capacitor and load; and an active transient response circuit configured to detect multiple threshold levels of deviations from a pre-determined voltage level coupled between said common connection of said capacitor and load and said digital controller; and an adaptive voltage positioning circuit (AVP) for determining the pre-determined voltage level, wherein the adaptive voltage positioning circuit comprises; a first circuit for receiving a signal indicative of an ATR event; a second circuit for sensing the current at the output stage; and a filter circuit coupled to the output of the first and second circuits, the bandwidth of the filter circuit being changed in response to a signal from the first circuit when a signal indicative of an ATR event is received. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification