Voltage regulator with optimal efficiency selection and a master-slave zero cross detection configuration
First Claim
1. A voltage regulator comprising:
- a first phase power stage including;
a first high side transistor configured to activate and deactivate to regulate an input voltage;
a first low side transistor coupled to the first high side transistor, the first low side transistor configured to deactivate when a current level in the first phase power stage is substantially equal to zero; and
a zero cross detection circuit in communication with the first low side transistor, the zero cross detection circuit configured to measure the current level for the first phase power stage, and to deactivate the first low side transistor when the current level is substantially equal to zero;
a second phase power stage connected in parallel with the first phase power stage, the second phase power stage including;
a second high side transistor configured to activate and deactivate to regulate the input voltage; and
a second low side transistor coupled to the second high side transistor, the second low side transistor configured to deactivate in response to a signal from the zero cross detection circuit, the signal indicating when the current level in the first phase power stage is substantially equal to zero; and
a controller coupled to the first phase power stage and to the second phase power stage, the controller configured to measure an output current of the voltage regulator and to activate the second phase power stage when the output current is above a first threshold current level.
14 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A voltage regulator includes a first phase power stage, a second phase power stage, and a controller. The first phase power stage includes a zero cross detection circuit configured to measure a current level for the first phase power stage, and to cause a diode emulation state in the first phase power stage when the current level is substantially equal to zero. The second phase power stage is in communication with the zero cross detection circuit, and configured to enter the diode emulation state in response to receiving a signal from the zero cross detection circuit. The controller is coupled to the first phase power stage and to the second phase power stage. The controller is configured to measure an output current of the voltage regulator and to activate the second phase power stage when the output current is above a first threshold current level.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A voltage regulator comprising:
-
a first phase power stage including; a first high side transistor configured to activate and deactivate to regulate an input voltage; a first low side transistor coupled to the first high side transistor, the first low side transistor configured to deactivate when a current level in the first phase power stage is substantially equal to zero; and a zero cross detection circuit in communication with the first low side transistor, the zero cross detection circuit configured to measure the current level for the first phase power stage, and to deactivate the first low side transistor when the current level is substantially equal to zero; a second phase power stage connected in parallel with the first phase power stage, the second phase power stage including; a second high side transistor configured to activate and deactivate to regulate the input voltage; and a second low side transistor coupled to the second high side transistor, the second low side transistor configured to deactivate in response to a signal from the zero cross detection circuit, the signal indicating when the current level in the first phase power stage is substantially equal to zero; and a controller coupled to the first phase power stage and to the second phase power stage, the controller configured to measure an output current of the voltage regulator and to activate the second phase power stage when the output current is above a first threshold current level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A voltage regulator comprising:
-
a first phase power stage including a zero cross detection circuit configured to measure a current level for the first phase power stage, to set a first flag in a first driver of the first phase power stage when the current level is substantially equal to zero, and to cause a diode emulation state in the first phase power stage in response to the first flag being set in the first driver; a second phase power stage in communication with the zero cross detection circuit, the second phase power stage configured to set a second flag in a second driver of the second phase power stage in response to a signal from the zero cross detection circuit, and to enter the diode emulation state in response to the second flag being set in the second driver; and a controller coupled to the first phase power stage and to the second phase power stage, the controller configured to measure an output current of the voltage regulator and to activate the second phase power stage when the output current is above a first threshold current level. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A method comprising:
-
enabling a first phase power stage and a second phase power stage in a voltage regulator; detecting that an output current of the voltage regulator is below a first threshold current; disabling a third phase power stage when the output current of the voltage regulator is below the first threshold current; measuring a current in a first low side transistor in the first phase power stage; detecting that the current in the first low side transistor is below a zero detect threshold; setting a flag in the voltage regulator when the current in the first low side transistor is below a zero detect threshold; detecting, in the first phase power stage and the second phase power stage, that the flag is set; and disabling the first low side transistor in the first phase power stage and a second low side transistor in the second phase power stage when the flag is set. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification