Point of load regulator having a pinstrapped configuration and which performs intelligent bus monitoring

• US 20060149396A1
• Filed: 02/16/2006
• Published: 07/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zilker Labs LLC (Renesas Electronics Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Zilker Labs LLC (Renesas Electronics Corporation)
• Inventors: Templeton, James W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,467,309 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/22
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/001 Hot plugging or unplugging of load or power modules to or from power distribution networks
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/102 being switching converters H02J1/108, H02J1/12 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00002 characterised by monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00016 using a wired telecommunication network or a data transmission bus
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/00 Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/30 State monitoring, e.g. fault, temperature monitoring, insulator monitoring, corona discharge

Abstract

A new system-level approach to managing the delivery of DC voltage and current. Several system level functions may be enabled without requiring separate ICs to perform those functions. Supervisory functions for a voltage converter may be performed by a central control module or chip that may be coupled to point-of-load voltage converters comprised in digital power management devices (DPMD) through a serial digital bus. The DPMDs may also use the high-speed serial digital bus to provide real-time feedback information to the central control module or chip. Single DPMDs may be combined together in a current sharing configuration in a “plug-and-play” fashion, where the control logic in each DPMD is capable of automatically establishing control loops required a multi-phase supply. Feedback necessary for establishing control may be transmitted across the digital bus coupling the devices. The supervisory functions may be included in each DPMD, which may communicate with each other over a serial digital bus, where the DPMDs singly or together may operate to perform control of their respective POLs, enabling configurations that do not require a central control module.

Claims

1. A point-of-load (POL) regulator, the POL regulator comprising:

a bus interface for interfacing to a serial bus;

first circuitry for generating an output voltage;

a plurality of control input pins, wherein at least one of the plurality of control input pins is configurable to couple to a static voltage value to configure at least one operating characteristic of the POL regulator; and

a logic circuit coupled to the bus interface, the first circuitry, and the plurality of control input pins;

wherein the logic circuit is operable to monitor first status information transmitted by another POL regulator on the serial bus; and

wherein the logic circuit is operable to control the first circuitry based on the first status information and the at least one operating characteristic.

2. The POL regulator of claim 1,

wherein the logic circuit is operable to transmit second status information onto the serial bus via the bus interface, wherein the second status information indicates a status of the POL regulator.

3. The POL regulator of claim 2,

wherein the logic circuit is operable to transmit the second status information in response to the monitored first status information.

4. The POL regulator of claim 2,

wherein the logic circuit is operable to transmit the second status information in response to a change in state of the POL regulator.

5. The POL regulator of claim 1,

wherein the logic circuit is operable to transmit an address and second status information onto the serial bus via the bus interface, wherein the second status information indicates a status of the POL regulator and the address identifies the POL regulator.

6. The POL regulator of claim 1, wherein the logic circuit is operable to receive an address transmitted by the other POL regulator, wherein the address identifies the other POL regulator.

7. The POL regulator of claim 1, wherein each one of a subset of the plurality of control input pins is configurable to couple to a respective static voltage value to assign to the POL regulator an address that identifies the POL regulator.

8. The POL regulator of claim 1,

wherein each one of the plurality of control input pins is configurable to couple to a respective static voltage value to configure operating characteristics of the POL regulator.

9. The POL regulator of claim 8,

wherein each one of the plurality of control input pins is configurable by:

coupling the control input pin to a constant voltage value;

or

leaving the control input pin uncoupled.

10. The POL regulator of claim 1,

wherein the logic circuit is operable to perform at least one power regulating function based on the first status information and the at least one operating characteristic to control the voltage generated by the first circuitry.

11. A system useable in creating a point-of-load (POL) regulator, the system comprising:

a bus interface for interfacing to a serial bus;

a plurality of control input pins, wherein one or more of the control input pins are configured to couple to pre-determined voltage values to configure operating characteristics of the POL regulator; and

a logic circuit operable to;

transmit outgoing status information onto the serial bus via the bus interface;

receive, from the serial bus, incoming status information transmitted by another POL regulator; and

perform one or more power regulating functions based on the incoming status information and according to the configured operating characteristics.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the operating characteristics comprise one or more of:

timing of the POL regulator switching power from an input power bus to an output power bus;

PID coefficients of the POL regulator;

a start delay of the POL regulator;

a ramp time of the POL regulator;

tracking of the POL regulator;

an output voltage of the POL regulator;

or

margining of the POL regulator.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein system comprises an integrated circuit.

14. A point-of-load (POL) regulator comprising:

a bus interface for interfacing to a serial bus;

first circuitry for generating an output voltage;

a logic circuit coupled to the bus interface and the first circuitry; and

a plurality of control input pins, wherein at least one of the control input pins is configurable to couple to a static voltage value to configure operation of the logic circuit;

wherein the logic circuit is operable to monitor first status information transmitted onto the serial bus by another POL regulator; and

wherein the logic circuit is operable to control the first circuitry based on the first status information and the static voltage value.

15. A power control system comprising:

a bidirectional serial data bus;

a plurality of point-of-load (POL) regulators coupled to the bidirectional serial data bus, wherein each of the plurality of POL regulators is operable to provide respective one or more regulated output voltages, wherein each of the plurality of POL regulators comprises a plurality of pins, wherein each respective one of the plurality of POL regulators is configurable by applying at least one respective static value to at least one input pin of the respective POL regulator; and

wherein each respective one of the plurality of POL regulators is operable to;

monitor first status information transmitted onto the serial bus by another POL regulator; and

control its respective one or more regulated output voltages based on the first status information and the at least one respective static value.

16. The power control system of claim 15,

wherein each respective one of the plurality of POL regulators is operable to transmit onto the serial bus one or more of:

an address identifying the respective POL regulator; and

status information indicating a status of the respective POL regulator.

17. The power control system of claim 16, wherein the respective POL regulator is operable to transmit the status information and/or the address without changing its respective one or more regulated output voltages.

18. The power control system of claim 15, wherein the status information comprises one or more of:

indication of power regulation status;

indication of faults detected; and

measured operating conditions.

19. The power control system of claim 18, wherein the measured operating conditions comprises current measurements.

20. The power control system of claim 15, wherein said applying at least one respective static value comprises coupling one or more resistors between a voltage source and the at least one input pin of the respective POL regulator.

21. The power control system of claim 15, wherein each of the one or more POL regulators is operable to determine when to start and stop controlling its respective one or more regulated output voltages based on one or more of:

the at least one respective static value; and

the first status information.

22. A power control system comprising:

a bidirectional serial data bus;

a plurality of point-of-load (POL) regulators coupled to the bidirectional serial data bus, wherein each of the plurality of POL regulators is operable to provide respective regulated output voltages, wherein each of the plurality of POL regulators comprises a plurality of pins, wherein each respective one of the plurality of POL regulators is configurable by applying at least one respective static value to at least one input pin of the respective POL regulator; and

wherein each respective one of the plurality of POL regulators is operable to transmit over the bidirectional data bus;

an address identifying the respective POL regulator; and

status information indicating a status of the respective POL regulator.

23. The power control system of claim 22,

wherein at least one of the POL regulators is operable to monitor status information transmitted by another POL regulator, and perform an action based on the status information transmitted by the other POL regulator.

24. The power control system of claim 22,

wherein at least one of the POL regulators is operable to monitor status information transmitted by another POL regulator, and perform an action based on its at least one static control value and the status information transmitted by the other POL regulator.

25. The power control system of claim 22,

wherein at least one of the POL regulators is operable to monitor status information transmitted by another POL regulator and perform an action according to its at least one static control value in response to the status information transmitted by the other POL regulator.

26. The power control system of claim 22, wherein each respective one of the plurality of POL regulators is configurable by:

coupling at least one control input pin to a constant voltage value;

or

leaving at least one control input pin uncoupled.

27. A power control system comprising:

a serial bus; and

a point-of-load (POL) regulator coupled to the serial bus and having one or more control pins configured to be pinstrapped to set at least one operating characteristic of the POL regulator;

wherein the POL regulator is configured to monitor status information transmitted onto the serial bus by one or more other POL regulators.

28. A point-of-load (POL) regulator operable to be coupled to a serial bus and having one or more control pins configured to be pinstrapped to set at least one operating characteristic of the POL regulator, wherein the POL regulator is configured to monitor status information transmitted by one or more other devices on the serial bus and perform a power regulating function in response to the monitored status information and the at least one operating characteristic.

29. A method for managing power in a system, the method comprising:

configuring at least one operating characteristic of at least one POL regulator by coupling at least one control input pin of the at least one POL regulator to a static voltage value;

the at least one POL regulator monitoring first status information transmitted by at least one other POL regulator; and

the at least one POL regulator providing respective one or more regulated output voltages according to the at least one operating characteristic and the first status information.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

the at least one POL regulator transmitting second status information, wherein the second status information indicates a status of the at least one POL regulator.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein said monitoring and said transmitting are performed via a bidirectional serial data bus.

32. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

configuring a plurality of operating characteristics of the at least one POL regulator by performing one or more of;

coupling specified ones of a plurality of control input pins of the at least one POL regulator to respective constant voltage values; and

leaving specified ones of the plurality of control input pins of the at least one POL regulator uncoupled.

33. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

the at least one POL regulator performing at least one power regulating function in response to the first status information.

34. The method of claim 33, further comprising:

the at least one POL regulator performing at least one power regulating function based on the first status information and the at least one operating characteristic.

35. A method for managing power in a system, the method comprising:

configuring specified operating characteristics of a plurality of POL regulators by coupling respective control input pins of the plurality of POL regulators to respective static voltage values;

each of the plurality of POL regulators transmitting respective status information; and

each of the plurality of POL regulators receiving the respective status information transmitted by other ones of the plurality of POL devices;

each of the plurality of POL regulators providing respective regulated output voltages according to the specified operating characteristics and the received respective status information.

36. A method of operating a POL regulator, the method comprising:

coupling the POL regulator to a serial bus;

pinstrapping one or more control pins of the POL regulator in order to configure at least one operating characteristic of the POL regulator;

the POL regulator monitoring status information transmitted onto the serial bus by one or more other POL devices; and

the POL regulator performing a power regulating function in response to said monitoring and said pinstrapping.

37. A point-of-load (POL) regulator, the POL regulator comprising:

a bus interface for interfacing to a serial bus;

first circuitry for generating an output voltage;

a plurality of control input pins, wherein at least one of the plurality of control input pins is configurable to couple to a static voltage value to configure switch timing of the POL regulator, wherein the switch timing determines timing of the POL regulator switching power from an input power bus to an output power bus; and

a logic circuit coupled to the bus interface, the first circuitry, and the plurality of control input pins;

wherein the logic circuit is operable to monitor first status information transmitted by another POL regulator on the serial bus; and

wherein the logic circuit is operable to control the first circuitry based on the first status information and according to the configured switch timing.

38. A point-of-load (POL) regulator, the POL regulator comprising:

a bus interface for interfacing to a serial bus;

first circuitry for generating an output voltage;

a plurality of control input pins, wherein at least one of the plurality of control input pins is configurable to couple to a static voltage value to configure proportional-integral-derivative (PID) coefficients of the POL regulator; and

a logic circuit coupled to the bus interface, the first circuitry, and the plurality of control input pins;

wherein the logic circuit is operable to monitor first status information transmitted by another POL regulator on the serial bus; and

wherein the logic circuit is operable to control the first circuitry based on the first status information and according to the configured PID coefficients.

39. A point-of-load (POL) regulator, the POL regulator comprising:

a bus interface for interfacing to a serial bus;

first circuitry for generating an output voltage;

a plurality of control input pins, wherein at least one of the plurality of control input pins is configurable to couple to a static voltage value to configure start delay of the POL regulator; and

a logic circuit coupled to the bus interface, the first circuitry, and the plurality of control input pins;

wherein the logic circuit is operable to monitor first status information transmitted by another POL regulator on the serial bus; and

wherein the logic circuit is operable to control the first circuitry based on the first status information and according to the configured start delay.

40. A point-of-load (POL) regulator, the POL regulator comprising:

a bus interface for interfacing to a serial bus;

first circuitry for generating an output voltage;

a plurality of control input pins, wherein at least one of the plurality of control input pins is configurable to couple to a static voltage value to configure a ramp time of the POL regulator; and

a logic circuit coupled to the bus interface, the first circuitry, and the plurality of control input pins;

wherein the logic circuit is operable to monitor first status information transmitted by another POL regulator on the serial bus; and

wherein the logic circuit is operable to control the first circuitry based on the first status information and according to the configured ramp time.

41. A point-of-load (POL) regulator, the POL regulator comprising:

a bus interface for interfacing to a serial bus;

first circuitry for generating an output voltage;

a plurality of control input pins, wherein at least one of the plurality of control input pins is configurable to couple to a static voltage value to configure tracking of the POL regulator; and

a logic circuit coupled to the bus interface, the first circuitry, and the plurality of control input pins;

wherein the logic circuit is operable to monitor first status information transmitted by another POL regulator on the serial bus; and

wherein the logic circuit is operable to control the first circuitry based on the first status information and according to the configured tracking.

42. A point-of-load (POL) regulator, the POL regulator comprising:

a bus interface for interfacing to a serial bus;

first circuitry for generating an output voltage;

a plurality of control input pins, wherein at least one of the plurality of control input pins is configurable to couple to a static voltage value to configure an output voltage of the POL regulator; and

a logic circuit coupled to the bus interface, the first circuitry, and the plurality of control input pins;

wherein the logic circuit is operable to monitor first status information transmitted by another POL regulator on the serial bus; and

wherein the logic circuit is operable to control the first circuitry based on the first status information.

43. A point-of-load (POL) regulator, the POL regulator comprising:

a bus interface for interfacing to a serial bus;

first circuitry for generating an output voltage;

a plurality of control input pins, wherein at least one of the plurality of control input pins is configurable to couple to a static voltage value to configure margining of the POL regulator; and

a logic circuit coupled to the bus interface, the first circuitry, and the plurality of control input pins;

wherein the logic circuit is operable to monitor first status information transmitted by another POL regulator on the serial bus; and

wherein the logic circuit is operable to control the first circuitry based on the first status information and according to the configured margining.