Spread-spectrum apparatus for voltage regulator
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus comprising:
- an oscillator to generate an output clock signal, the oscillator to receive an adjustable reference signal to adjust frequency of the output clock signal;
a first circuit to provide a first signal indicative of a center frequency of the output clock signal;
a second circuit to generate a switching waveform to provide spread-spectrum for the output clock signal; and
a third circuit, coupled to the first and second circuits, to provide the adjustable reference signal according to the first signal and the switching waveform, wherein the second circuit comprises;
an up-down counter operating at a reference clock frequency; and
a first digital to analog converter (DAC) coupled to the up-down counter, the first DAC to generate the switching waveform.
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Abstract
Described is an apparatus for providing spread-spectrum to a clock signal. The apparatus comprises: an oscillator to generate an output clock signal, the oscillator to receive an adjustable reference signal to adjust frequency of the output clock signal; a first circuit to provide a first signal indicative of a center frequency of the output clock signal; a second circuit to generate a switching waveform to provide spread-spectrum for the output clock signal; and a third circuit, coupled to the first and second circuits, to provide the adjustable reference signal according to the first signal and the switching waveform.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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an oscillator to generate an output clock signal, the oscillator to receive an adjustable reference signal to adjust frequency of the output clock signal; a first circuit to provide a first signal indicative of a center frequency of the output clock signal; a second circuit to generate a switching waveform to provide spread-spectrum for the output clock signal; and a third circuit, coupled to the first and second circuits, to provide the adjustable reference signal according to the first signal and the switching waveform, wherein the second circuit comprises; an up-down counter operating at a reference clock frequency; and a first digital to analog converter (DAC) coupled to the up-down counter, the first DAC to generate the switching waveform. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus comprising:
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an oscillator to generate an output clock signal, the oscillator to receive an adjustable reference signal to adjust frequency of the output clock signal; a first circuit to provide a first signal indicative of a center frequency of the output clock signal; a second circuit to generate a switching waveform to provide spread-spectrum for the output clock signal; and a third circuit, coupled to the first and second circuits, to provide the adjustable reference signal according to the first signal and the switching waveform, wherein the third circuit comprises; a resistor divider; and a multiplexer to selectively couple an output of the resistor divider to provide the adjustable reference signal.
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11. An apparatus comprising:
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an oscillator to generate an output clock signal, the oscillator to receive an adjustable reference signal to adjust frequency of the output clock signal; a first circuit to provide a first signal indicative of a center frequency of the output clock signal; a second circuit to generate a switching waveform, the second circuit operable to cause a notch in a spectrum of the output clock signal; and a third circuit, coupled to the first and second circuits, to provide the adjustable reference signal according to the center frequency of the output clock signal and the switching waveform. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A system comprising:
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a memory unit; and a processor, coupled to the memory unit, having a plurality of integrated voltage regulators (IVR) and a spread-spectrum controller, the spread-spectrum controller including; an oscillator to generate an output clock signal, the oscillator to receive an adjustable reference signal to adjust frequency of the output clock signal; a first circuit to provide a first signal indicative of a center frequency of the output clock signal; a second circuit to generate a switching waveform to provide spread-spectrum for the output clock signal; and a third circuit, coupled to the first and second circuits, to provide the adjustable reference signal according to first signal and the switching waveform. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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Specification