US5629608A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Power regulation system for controlling voltage excursions
Assignee: Intel Corp
•
Filing: 1994-12-28
•
Granted: 1997-05-13
•
Expires: 2014-12-28
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for providing dynamic voltage regulation for a system with a fluctuating current demand are disclosed. A first voltage regulator is used for producing regulated output to the system. A control circuit activates a second voltage regulator with faster transient response than the first voltage regulator to help source current when the first voltage regulator is unable to adequately respond to an increase in current demand from the system. The control circuit activates a load element to help sink current at the output of the first voltage regulator when the first voltage regulator is unable to adequately respond to a decrease in current demand from the system.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald A. Budelman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 08:55
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05F; G05F1/00; G05F1/10; G05F1/46; G05F1/618
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
An apparatus for providing voltage regulation, comprising: a first voltage regulator that provides a regulated output voltage at an output; a second voltage regulator, coupled in parallel to the first voltage regulator, that regulates voltage with a faster transient response than the first voltage regulator; a load component, coupled to the output, that sinks current at the output; a first circuit that sets an allowable regulated output voltage range; and a second circuit that compares the regulated output with the allowable regulated output voltage range and activates the second voltage regulator when the regulated output voltage is below the allowable regulated output voltage range and activates the load component when the regulated output is above the allowable output voltage range, wherein the second voltage regulator does not regulate voltage when the load component is activated.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
135 words
An apparatus for providing voltage regulation, comprising: a first voltage regulator that provides a regulated output voltage at an output; a second voltage regulator, coupled in parallel to the first voltage regulator, that regulates voltage with a faster transient response than the first voltage regulator; a load component, coupled to the output, that sinks current at the output; a first circuit that sets an allowable regulated output voltage range; and a second circuit that compares the regulated output with the allowable regulated output voltage range and activates the second voltage regulator when the regulated output voltage is below the allowable regulated output voltage range and activates the load component when the regulated output is above the allowable output voltage range, wherein the second voltage regulator does not regulate voltage when the load component is activated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus in claim 1 wherein the first voltage regulator comprises a switching regulator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus in claim 1 wherein the second voltage regulator comprises a linear regulator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus in claim 1 wherein the load component comprises a transistor connected to ground.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus in claim 1 wherein the first circuit comprises a series of resistors coupled to a reference voltage.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus in claim 1 wherein the second circuit comprises a double ended comparator circuit.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
128 words
An apparatus for providing voltage regulation, comprising: first voltage regulation means for producing a regulated output voltage at an output; second voltage regulation means for regulating voltage at a faster transient response than the first voltage regulation means; load means for sinking excess current from said first voltage regulation means; a circuit for setting an allowable regulated output voltage range; and comparator means for comparing the regulated voltage with the allowable regulated output voltage range and for activating the second voltage regulation means when the regulated output voltage is below the allowable regulated output range and activating the load means when the regulated output voltage is above the allowable regulated output range, wherein the second voltage regulation means does not regulate voltage when the load means is activated.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
128 words
An apparatus for providing voltage regulation, comprising: first voltage regulation means for producing a regulated output voltage at an output; second voltage regulation means for regulating voltage at a faster transient response than the first voltage regulation means; load means for sinking excess current from said first voltage regulation means; a circuit for setting an allowable regulated output voltage range; and comparator means for comparing the regulated voltage with the allowable regulated output voltage range and for activating the second voltage regulation means when the regulated output voltage is below the allowable regulated output range and activating the load means when the regulated output voltage is above the allowable regulated output range, wherein the second voltage regulation means does not regulate voltage when the load means is activated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus in claim 7 wherein the first voltage regulation means comprises a switching regulator.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus in claim 7 wherein the second voltage regulation means comprises a linear regulator.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus in claim 7 wherein the load means comprises a transistor connected to ground.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus in claim 7 wherein the first circuit comprises a series of resistors coupled to a reference voltage.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus in claim 7 wherein the comparator means comprises a double ended comparator circuit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
161 words
A computer system comprising: a microprocessor that processes digital data; a memory that stores digital data; a bus coupling the microprocessor to the memory; a voltage regulating circuit that provides dynamic voltage regulation to the computer system comprising a first voltage regulator that provides a regulated output voltage at an output, a second voltage regulator coupled in parallel to the first voltage regulator, that regulates voltage at a faster transient response than the first voltage regulator, a load component coupled to the output, a first circuit that sets an allowable regulated output voltage range, a second circuit that compares the regulated output voltage with the allowable output voltage range and that activates the second voltage regulator when the regulated output voltage is below the allowable regulated output range, and that activates the load component when the regulated output voltage is above the allowable output voltage range, wherein the second voltage regulator does not regulate voltage when the load component is activated.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
161 words
A computer system comprising: a microprocessor that processes digital data; a memory that stores digital data; a bus coupling the microprocessor to the memory; a voltage regulating circuit that provides dynamic voltage regulation to the computer system comprising a first voltage regulator that provides a regulated output voltage at an output, a second voltage regulator coupled in parallel to the first voltage regulator, that regulates voltage at a faster transient response than the first voltage regulator, a load component coupled to the output, a first circuit that sets an allowable regulated output voltage range, a second circuit that compares the regulated output voltage with the allowable output voltage range and that activates the second voltage regulator when the regulated output voltage is below the allowable regulated output range, and that activates the load component when the regulated output voltage is above the allowable output voltage range, wherein the second voltage regulator does not regulate voltage when the load component is activated.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer system of claim 13 wherein the first voltage regulator comprises a switching regulator.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer system of claim 13 wherein the second voltage regulator comprises a linear regulator.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer system of claim 13 wherein the load component comprises a transistor connected to ground.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer system of claim 13 wherein the first circuit comprises a series of resistors connected to a reference voltage.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer system of claim 13 wherein the second circuit comprises a double ended comparator circuit.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
163 words
A computer system comprising: microprocessing means for processing digital data; memory means for storing the digital data; bus means for coupling the processing means to the memory means; voltage regulating means for providing dynamic voltage regulation to the computer system comprising first voltage regulation means for producing a regulated output voltage at an output, second voltage regulation means for regulating voltage at a faster transient response than the first voltage regulation means, load means for sinking excess current from the first voltage regulation means, a circuit for setting an allowable regulated output voltage range, and comparator means for comparing the regulated output voltage with the allowable regulated output voltage range and activating the second voltage regulator when the regulated output voltage is below the allowable regulated output voltage range, and activating the load means when the regulated output voltage is above the allowable regulated output voltage range, wherein the second voltage regulation means does not regulate voltage when the load means is activated.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
163 words
A computer system comprising: microprocessing means for processing digital data; memory means for storing the digital data; bus means for coupling the processing means to the memory means; voltage regulating means for providing dynamic voltage regulation to the computer system comprising first voltage regulation means for producing a regulated output voltage at an output, second voltage regulation means for regulating voltage at a faster transient response than the first voltage regulation means, load means for sinking excess current from the first voltage regulation means, a circuit for setting an allowable regulated output voltage range, and comparator means for comparing the regulated output voltage with the allowable regulated output voltage range and activating the second voltage regulator when the regulated output voltage is below the allowable regulated output voltage range, and activating the load means when the regulated output voltage is above the allowable regulated output voltage range, wherein the second voltage regulation means does not regulate voltage when the load means is activated.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer system of claim 19 wherein the first voltage regulation means comprises a switching regulator.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer system of claim 19 wherein the second voltage regulation means comprises a linear regulator.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer system of claim 19 wherein the load means comprises a transistor connected to ground.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer system of claim 19 wherein the first circuit comprises a series of resistors connected to a reference voltage.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer system of claim 19 wherein the comparator means comprises a double ended comparator circuit.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
109 words
An apparatus providing dynamic voltage regulation for a computer system comprising: a switching regulator that provides a regulated output voltage; a linear regulator coupled in parallel to the switching regulator, a linear load coupled to the switching regulator; a first circuit that sets an allowable regulated output voltage range for the computer system; and a second circuit that activates the linear voltage regulator when the regulated output voltage is below the allowable regulated output voltage range and that activates the linear load when the regulated output voltage is above the allowable output voltage range, wherein the linear voltage regulator does not regulate voltage when the linear load is activated.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
109 words
An apparatus providing dynamic voltage regulation for a computer system comprising: a switching regulator that provides a regulated output voltage; a linear regulator coupled in parallel to the switching regulator, a linear load coupled to the switching regulator; a first circuit that sets an allowable regulated output voltage range for the computer system; and a second circuit that activates the linear voltage regulator when the regulated output voltage is below the allowable regulated output voltage range and that activates the linear load when the regulated output voltage is above the allowable output voltage range, wherein the linear voltage regulator does not regulate voltage when the linear load is activated.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
138 words
A method for providing dynamic voltage regulation for an electronic system, comprising the steps of: setting an allowable regulated output voltage range; sending unregulated voltage to a first voltage regulator for producing a first regulated output voltage; determining whether the regulated output voltage is within the allowable regulated output voltage range; sending the first regulated output voltage to the electronic system if the first regulated output voltage is within the allowable regulated output voltage range; activating a second voltage regulator if the regulated output voltage falls below the allowable regulated output voltage range, the second voltage regulator having a faster transient response than the first voltage regulator; and activating a load component if the regulated output voltage rises above the allowable regulated output range, wherein the second voltage regulator is not activated when the load component is activated.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
138 words
A method for providing dynamic voltage regulation for an electronic system, comprising the steps of: setting an allowable regulated output voltage range; sending unregulated voltage to a first voltage regulator for producing a first regulated output voltage; determining whether the regulated output voltage is within the allowable regulated output voltage range; sending the first regulated output voltage to the electronic system if the first regulated output voltage is within the allowable regulated output voltage range; activating a second voltage regulator if the regulated output voltage falls below the allowable regulated output voltage range, the second voltage regulator having a faster transient response than the first voltage regulator; and activating a load component if the regulated output voltage rises above the allowable regulated output range, wherein the second voltage regulator is not activated when the load component is activated.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the first voltage regulator comprises a switching regulator.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the second voltage regulator comprises a linear regulator.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 26 wherein said checking step is accomplished by sending the regulated voltage through a double ended comparator.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the activating steps are accomplished by sending a signal to a transistor.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the load component comprises a transistor connected to ground.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-05-12 | 2000-11-11 | 2001-05-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-05-12 | 2004-11-11 | 2005-05-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-05-12 | 2008-11-11 | 2009-05-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |