Voltage mode control for a multiphase DC power regulator

Claim 2

A multiphase direct current (DC) regulator for regulating power from a DC power source, the multiphase DC regulator comprising: a first inductor coupled to a regulator output; a first switch coupled to the first inductor, the first switch coupled to receive current from the DC power source and to supply the current to the first inductor; a second inductor coupled to the regulator output; a second switch coupled to the second inductor, the second switch coupled to receive current from the DC power source and to supply the current to the second inductor, the second switch controlling the amount of current supplied from the DC power source to the second inductor; a voltage mode control circuit receiving an indication voltage level indicative of the amount of current supplied from the DC power source to the second inductor, the voltage mode control circuit providing a first control signal dependent upon the indication voltage level; a first switching circuit responsive to the first control signal, the first switching circuit providing a first switching signal to the first switch, the first switch controlling the amount of current from the DC power source supplied to the first inductor according to the first switching signal; a second switching circuit providing a second switching signal to the second switch, the second switch controlling the amount of current from the DC power source supplied to the second inductor according to the second switching signal; and wherein the indication voltage level is proportional to the second switching signal.

Claim 3

The multiphase direct current regulator of claim 1, the voltage mode control circuit further comprising: a first integrator, the first integrator receiving the indication voltage and providing an integrated voltage level indicative of the amount of current supplied to the second inductor, the first control signal dependent upon the integrated voltage level.

Claim 4

The multiphase direct current regulator of claim 2, the voltage mode control circuit further comprising: a second integrator, the second integrator receiving a second indication voltage level indicative of an amount of current supplied from the DC power source to the first inductor, the second integrator providing a second integrated voltage level indicative of the amount of current supplied to the first inductor; and a differential amplifier having a first input for receiving a voltage proportional to the first integrated voltage level and having a second input for receiving a voltage level proportional to the second integrated voltage level, the differential amplifier having an output for providing the first control signal.

Claim 5

The multiphase direct current regulator of claim 3 wherein: the first switching signal transitioning back and forth between a first voltage level and a second voltage level, the first switching signal remaining at the first voltage level for a first period of time and remaining at the second voltage level for a second period of time; and the ratio of the first period of time to the second period of time being dependent upon the first control signal.

Claim 6

The multiphase direct current regulator of claim 4, the voltage mode control circuit further including: a comparator receiving at a first input a first voltage level proportional to the voltage level at the regulator output, the comparator receiving at a second input a second voltage level proportional to a reference voltage level, the comparator having an output for providing a second control signal; and wherein the second switching circuit is responsive to the second control signal.

Claim 7

The multiphase direct current regulator of claim 1, the voltage mode control circuit further including: a comparator receiving at a first input a first voltage level proportional to the voltage level at the regulator output, the comparator receiving at a second input a second voltage level proportional to a reference voltage level, the comparator having an output for providing a second control signal; and wherein the second switching circuit is responsive to the second control signal.

Claim 8

The multiphase direct current regulator of claim 6 wherein: the second switching signal transitioning back and forth between a first voltage level and a second voltage level, the second switching signal remaining at the first voltage level for a first period of time and remaining at the second voltage level for a second period of time; and the ratio of the first period of time to the second period of time being dependent upon the second control signal.

Claim 9

The multiphase direct current regulator of claim 1 wherein the regulator is a synchronous regulator.

Claim 10

The multiphase direct current regulator of claim 1 wherein the regulator is a non-synchronous regulator.

Claim 11

The multiphase direct current regulator of claim 1, the first switching circuit further including: a timer for providing the first switching signal, the first switching signal transitioning back and forth between a first voltage level and a second voltage level, the first switching signal remaining at the first voltage level for a first period of time and remaining at the second voltage level for a second period of time; and the ratio of the first period of time to the second period of time being dependent upon the first control signal.

Claim 12

A multiphase direct current (DC) regulator for regulating power from a DC power source, the multiphase DC regulator comprising: a first inductor coupled to a regulator output; a first switch coupled to the first inductor, the first switch coupled to receive current from the DC power source and to supply the current to the first inductor; a second inductor coupled to the regulator output; a second switch coupled to the second inductor, the second switch coupled to receive current from the DC power source and to supply the current to the second inductor, the second switch controlling the amount of current supplied from the DC power source to the second inductor; a voltage mode control circuit receiving an indication voltage level indicative of the amount of current supplied from the DC power source to the second inductor, the voltage mode control circuit providing a first control signal dependent upon the indication voltage level; a first switching circuit responsive to the first control signal, the first switching circuit providing a first switching signal to the first switch, the first switch controlling the amount of current from the DC power source supplied to the first inductor according to the first switching signal; wherein the first switching circuit further includes: a timer for providing the first switching signal, the first switching signal transitioning back and forth between a first voltage level and a second voltage level, the first switching signal remaining at the first voltage level for a first period of time and remaining at the second voltage level for a second period of time; and wherein the ratio of the first period of time to the second period of time being dependent upon the first control signal; wherein the signal for determining the ratio is dependent upon an integrated indication voltage level.

Claim 13

A multiphase direct current (DC) regulator for regulating power from a DC power source, the multiphase DC regulator comprising: a first inductor coupled to a regulator output; a first switch coupled to the first inductor, the first switch coupled to receive current from the DC power source and to supply the current to the first inductor; a second inductor coupled to the regulator output; a second switch coupled to the second inductor, the second switch coupled to receive current from the DC power source and to supply the current to the second inductor, the second switch controlling the amount of current supplied from the DC power source to the second inductor; a voltage mode control circuit receiving an indication voltage level indicative of the amount of current supplied from the DC power source to the second inductor, the voltage mode control circuit providing a first control signal dependent upon the indication voltage level; a first switching circuit responsive to the first control signal, the first switching circuit providing a first switching signal to the first switch, the first switch controlling the amount of current from the DC power source supplied to the first inductor according to the first switching signal; wherein the first switching circuit further includes: a timer for providing the first switching signal, the first switching signal transitioning back and forth between a first voltage level and a second voltage level, the first switching signal remaining at the first voltage level for a first period of time and remaining at the second voltage level for a second period of time; and wherein the ratio of the first period of time to the second period of time being dependent upon the first control signal; wherein the signal for determining the ratio is dependent upon an integrated indication voltage level.

Claim 14

A multiphase direct current (DC) regulator for regulating power from a DC power source, the multiphase DC regulator comprising: a first inductor coupled to a regulator output; a first switch coupled to the first inductor, the first switch coupled to receive current from the DC power source and to supply the current to the first inductor; a second inductor coupled to the regulator output; a second switch coupled to the second inductor, the second switch coupled to receive current from the DC power source and to supply the current to the second inductor, the second switch controlling the amount of current supplied from the DC power source to the second inductor; a voltage mode control circuit receiving an indication voltage level indicative of the amount of current supplied from the DC power source to the second inductor, the voltage mode control circuit providing a first control signal dependent upon the indication voltage level; a first switching circuit responsive to the first control signal, the first switching circuit providing a first switching signal to the first switch, the first switch controlling the amount of current from the DC power source supplied to the first inductor according to the first switching signal; wherein the second inductor has a first end coupled to the second switch; and wherein the second the indication voltage level is proportional to the voltage level at the first end of the inductor.

Claim 15

A multiphase direct current (DC) regulator for regulating power from a DC power source, the multiphase DC regulator comprising: a first inductor coupled to a regulator output; a first switch coupled to the first inductor, the first switch coupled to receive current from the DC power source and to supply the current to the first inductor; a second inductor coupled to the regulator output; a second switch coupled to the second inductor, the second switch coupled to receive current from the DC power source and to supply the current to the second inductor, the second switch controlling the amount of current supplied from the DC power source to the second inductor; a voltage mode control circuit receiving an indication voltage level indicative of the amount of current supplied from the DC power source to the second inductor, the voltage mode control circuit providing a first control signal dependent upon the indication voltage level; a first switching circuit responsive to the first control signal, the first switching circuit providing a first switching signal to the first switch, the first switch controlling the amount of current from the DC power source supplied to the first inductor according to the first switching signal; wherein the second inductor has a first end coupled to the second switch; and wherein the second the indication voltage level is proportional to the voltage level at the first end of the inductor.

Claim 16

A computer system comprising: a processor; a direct current (DC) power source, the direct current power source providing current at a voltage level; and a multiphase regulator circuit including: a regulator output for providing DC power to the processor; a first inductor coupled to the regulator output; a first switch coupled to the first inductor, the first switch coupled to receive current from the DC power source and to supply the current to the first inductor; a second inductor coupled to the regulator output; a second switch coupled to the second inductor, the second switch coupled to receive current from the DC power source and to supply the current to the second inductor, the second switch controlling the amount of current supplied from the DC power source to the second inductor; a voltage mode control circuit receiving an indication voltage level indicative of the amount of current supplied from the DC power source to the second inductor; the voltage mode control circuit providing a first control signal dependent upon the indication voltage level; a first switching circuit responsive to the first control signal, the first switching circuit providing a first switching signal to the first switch, the first switch controlling the amount of current from the DC power source supplied to the first inductor according to the first switching signal; and a second switching circuit providing a second switching signal to the second switch, the second switch controlling the amount of current from the DC power source supplied to the second inductor according to the second switching signal; the indication voltage level is proportional to the second switching signal.

Claim 17

A computer system comprising: a processor; a direct current (DC) power source, the direct current power source providing current at a voltage level; and a multiphase regulator circuit including: a regulator output for providing DC power to the processor; a first inductor coupled to the regulator output; a first switch coupled to the first inductor, the first switch coupled to receive current from the DC power source and to supply the current to the first inductor; a second inductor coupled to the regulator output; a second switch coupled to the second inductor, the second switch coupled to receive current from the DC power source and to supply the current to the second inductor, the second switch controlling the amount of current supplied from the DC power source to the second inductor; a voltage mode control circuit receiving an indication voltage level indicative of the amount of current supplied from the DC power source to the second inductor; the voltage mode control circuit providing a first control signal dependent upon the indication voltage level; a first switching circuit responsive to the first control signal, the first switching circuit providing a first switching signal to the first switch, the first switch controlling the amount of current from the DC power source supplied to the first inductor according to the first switching signal; and a second switching circuit providing a second switching signal to the second switch, the second switch controlling the amount of current from the DC power source supplied to the second inductor according to the second switching signal; the indication voltage level is proportional to the second switching signal.

Claim 18

The computer system of claim 13, the voltage mode control circuit further comprising: a first integrator, the first integrator receiving the indication voltage and providing an integrated voltage level indicative of the amount of current supplied to the second inductor.

Claim 19

The computer system of claim 14, the voltage mode control circuit further comprising: a second integrator, the second integrator receiving a second indication voltage level indicative of an amount of current supplied from the DC power source to the first inductor, the second integrator providing a second integrated voltage level indicative of the amount of current supplied to the first inductor; and a differential amplifier having a first input for receiving a voltage proportional to the first integrated voltage level and having a second input for receiving a voltage level proportional to the second integrated voltage level, the differential amplifier having an output for providing the first control signal.

Claim 20

The computer system of claim 15 wherein: the first switching signal transitioning back and forth between a first voltage level and a second voltage level, the first switching signal remaining at the first voltage level for a first period of time and remaining at the second voltage level for a second period of time; and the ratio of the first period of time to the second period of time being dependent upon the first control signal.

Claim 21

The computer system of claim 16 further comprising: a digital to analog (D/A) converter receiving a digital signal from the processor indicating a desired voltage level, the (D/A) converter providing a reference voltage level proportional to the desired voltage level; wherein the voltage mode control circuit further includes: a comparator receiving at a first input a first voltage level proportional to the voltage level at the regulator output, the comparator receiving at a second input a second voltage level proportional to the reference voltage level, the comparator having an output for providing a second control signal; and wherein the second switching circuit is responsive to the second control signal.

Claim 22

The computer system of claim 17 wherein: the second switching signal transitioning back and forth between a first voltage level and a second voltage level, the second switching signal remaining at the first voltage level for a first period of time and remaining at the second voltage level for a second period of time; and the ratio of the first period of time to the second period of time being dependent upon the second control signal.

Claim 23

The computer system of claim 13 wherein the multiphase regulator circuit is a synchronous regulator circuit.

Claim 24

The computer system of claim 13 wherein the multiphase regulator circuit is a non-synchronous regulator circuit.

Claim 25

The computer system of claim 13, the first switching circuit further including; a timer for providing the first switching signal, the first switching signal transitioning back and forth between a first voltage level and a second voltage level, the first switching signal remaining at the first voltage level for a first period of time and remaining at the second voltage level for a second period of time; and the ratio of the first period of time to the second period of time being dependent upon the first control signal.

Claim 26

A computer system comprising: a processor; a direct current (DC) power source, the direct current power source providing current at a voltage level; and a multiphase regulator circuit including: a regulator output for providing DC power to the processor; a first inductor coupled to the regulator output; a first switch coupled to the first inductor, the first switch coupled to receive current from the DC power source and to supply the current to the first inductor; a second inductor coupled to the regulator output; a second switch coupled to the second inductor, the second switch coupled to receive current from the DC power source and to supply the current to the second inductor, the second switch controlling the amount of current supplied from the DC power source to the second inductor; a voltage mode control circuit receiving an indication voltage level indicative of the amount of current supplied from the DC power source to the second inductor; the voltage mode control circuit providing a first control signal dependent upon the indication voltage level; and a first switching circuit responsive to the first control signal, the first switching circuit providing a first switching signal to the first switch, the first switch controlling the amount of current from the DC power source supplied to the first inductor according to the first switching signal; wherein the second inductor has a first end coupled to the second switch; and wherein the second indication voltage level is proportional to the voltage level at the first end of the inductor.

Claim 27

A computer system comprising: a processor; a direct current (DC) power source, the direct current power source providing current at a voltage level; and a multiphase regulator circuit including: a regulator output for providing DC power to the processor; a first inductor coupled to the regulator output; a first switch coupled to the first inductor, the first switch coupled to receive current from the DC power source and to supply the current to the first inductor; a second inductor coupled to the regulator output; a second switch coupled to the second inductor, the second switch coupled to receive current from the DC power source and to supply the current to the second inductor, the second switch controlling the amount of current supplied from the DC power source to the second inductor; a voltage mode control circuit receiving an indication voltage level indicative of the amount of current supplied from the DC power source to the second inductor; the voltage mode control circuit providing a first control signal dependent upon the indication voltage level; and a first switching circuit responsive to the first control signal, the first switching circuit providing a first switching signal to the first switch, the first switch controlling the amount of current from the DC power source supplied to the first inductor according to the first switching signal; wherein the second inductor has a first end coupled to the second switch; and wherein the second indication voltage level is proportional to the voltage level at the first end of the inductor.

Claim 28

A multiphase direct current (DC) regulator for regulating power from a DC power source, the multiphase DC regulator comprising: a first inductor coupled to a regulator output; a first switch coupled to the first inductor, the first switch coupled to receive current from the DC power source and to supply the current to the first inductor; a second inductor coupled to the regulator output; a second switch coupled to the second inductor, the second switch coupled to receive current from the DC power source and to supply the current to the second inductor, the second switch controlling the amount of current supplied from the DC power source to the second inductor; a comparator receiving at a first input a first voltage level proportional to the voltage level at the regulator output, the comparator receiving at a second input a second voltage level proportional to a reference voltage level, the comparator having an output for providing a control signal; a first switching circuit responsive to the first control signal, the first switching circuit providing a first switching signal to the first switch, the first switch controlling the amount of current from the DC power source supplied to the first inductor according to the first switching signal; and a second switching circuit responsive to the control signal, the second switching circuit providing a second switching signal to the second switch, the second switch controlling the amount of current from the DC power source supplied to the second inductor according to the second switching signal.

Claim 29

A multiphase direct current (DC) regulator for regulating power from a DC power source, the multiphase DC regulator comprising: a first inductor coupled to a regulator output; a first switch coupled to the first inductor, the first switch coupled to receive current from the DC power source and to supply the current to the first inductor; a second inductor coupled to the regulator output; a second switch coupled to the second inductor, the second switch coupled to receive current from the DC power source and to supply the current to the second inductor, the second switch controlling the amount of current supplied from the DC power source to the second inductor; a comparator receiving at a first input a first voltage level proportional to the voltage level at the regulator output, the comparator receiving at a second input a second voltage level proportional to a reference voltage level, the comparator having an output for providing a control signal; a first switching circuit responsive to the first control signal, the first switching circuit providing a first switching signal to the first switch, the first switch controlling the amount of current from the DC power source supplied to the first inductor according to the first switching signal; and a second switching circuit responsive to the control signal, the second switching circuit providing a second switching signal to the second switch, the second switch controlling the amount of current from the DC power source supplied to the second inductor according to the second switching signal.

Claim 30

A multiphase direct current (DC) regulator for regulating power from a DC power source, the multiphase DC regulator comprising: a first inductor coupled to a regulator output; a first switch coupled to the first inductor, the first switch coupled to receive current from the DC power source and to supply the current to the first inductor; a second inductor coupled to the regulator output; a second switch coupled to the second inductor, the second switch coupled to receive current from the DC power source and to supply the current to the second inductor, the second switch controlling the amount of current supplied from the DC power source to the second inductor; a comparator receiving at a first input a first voltage level proportional to the voltage level at the regulator output, the comparator receiving at a second input a second voltage level proportional to a reference voltage level, the comparator having an output for providing a control signal; and a first switching circuit responsive to the first control signal, the first switching circuit providing a first switching signal to the first switch, the first switch controlling the amount of current from the DC power source supplied to the first inductor according to the first switching signal; wherein the first switching circuit provides the first switching signal to the second switch, the second switch controlling the amount of current from the DC power source supplied to the second inductor according to the first switching signal.

Claim 31

A multiphase direct current (DC) regulator for regulating power from a DC power source, the multiphase DC regulator comprising: a first inductor coupled to a regulator output; a first switch coupled to the first inductor, the first switch coupled to receive current from the DC power source and to supply the current to the first inductor; a second inductor coupled to the regulator output; a second switch coupled to the second inductor, the second switch coupled to receive current from the DC power source and to supply the current to the second inductor, the second switch controlling the amount of current supplied from the DC power source to the second inductor; a comparator receiving at a first input a first voltage level proportional to the voltage level at the regulator output, the comparator receiving at a second input a second voltage level proportional to a reference voltage level, the comparator having an output for providing a control signal; and a first switching circuit responsive to the first control signal, the first switching circuit providing a first switching signal to the first switch, the first switch controlling the amount of current from the DC power source supplied to the first inductor according to the first switching signal; wherein the first switching circuit provides the first switching signal to the second switch, the second switch controlling the amount of current from the DC power source supplied to the second inductor according to the first switching signal.

Claim 32

The multiphase direct current regulator of claim 1 wherein: the voltage mode control circuit receives a voltage level proportional to the voltage level at the regulator output and receives a voltage level proportional to a reference voltage level, the voltage mode control circuit providing a second control signal dependent upon a difference between the voltage level proportional to the voltage level at the regulator output and the voltage level proportional to the reference voltage level; the second switching circuit is responsive to the second control signal in providing the second switching signal to the second switch.

Claim 33

The multiphase direct current regulator of claim 25 wherein: the second switching signal transitioning back and forth between a first voltage level and a second voltage level, the second switching signal remaining at the first voltage level for a first period of time and remaining at the second voltage level for a second period of time; and the ratio of the first period of time to the second period of time being dependent upon the second control signal.

Claim 34

The multiphase direct current regulator of claim 12, the voltage mode control circuit further comprising: a first integrator, the first integrator receiving the indication voltage and providing an integrated voltage level indicative of the amount of current supplied to the second inductor, the first control signal dependent upon the integrated voltage level.

Claim 35

The multiphase direct current regulator of claim 27, the voltage mode control circuit further comprising: a second integrator, the second integrator receiving a second indication voltage level indicative of an amount of current supplied from the DC power source to the first inductor, the second integrator providing a second integrated voltage level indicative of the amount of current supplied to the first inductor; and a differential amplifier having a first input for receiving a voltage proportional to the first integrated voltage level and having a second input for receiving a voltage level proportional to the second integrated voltage level, the differential amplifier having an output for providing the first control signal.

Claim 36

The multiphase direct current regulator of claim 28 wherein: the first switching signal transitioning back and forth between a first voltage level and a second voltage level, the first switching signal remaining at the first voltage level for a first period of time and remaining at the second voltage level for a second period of time; and the ratio of the first period of time to the second period of time being dependent upon the first control signal.

Claim 37

The multiphase direct current regulator of claim 29, the voltage mode control circuit further including: a comparator receiving at a first input a first voltage level proportional to the voltage level at the regulator output, the comparator receiving at a second input a second voltage level proportional to a reference voltage level, the comparator having an output for providing a second control signal; and a second switching circuit responsive to the second control signal, the second switching circuit providing a second switching signal to the second switch, the second switch controlling the amount of current from the DC power source supplied to the second inductor according to the second switching signal.

Claim 38

The multiphase direct current regulator of claim 12, the voltage mode control circuit further including: a comparator receiving at a first input a first voltage level proportional to the voltage level at the regulator output, the comparator receiving at a second input a second voltage level proportional to a reference voltage level, the comparator having an output for providing a second control signal; and a second switching circuit responsive to the second control signal, the second switching circuit providing a second switching signal to the second switch, the second switch controlling the amount of current from the DC power source supplied to the second inductor according to the second switching signal.

Claim 39

The multiphase direct current regulator of claim 31 wherein: the second switching signal transitioning back and forth between a first voltage level and a second voltage level, the second switching signal remaining at the first voltage level for a first period of time and remaining at the second voltage level for a second period of time; and the ratio of the first period of time to the second period of time being dependent upon the second control signal.

Claim 40

The multiphase direct current regulator of claim 12 wherein the regulator is a synchronous regulator.

Claim 41

The multiphase direct current regulator of claim 12 wherein the regulator is a non-synchronous regulator.

Claim 42

The multiphase direct current regulator of claim 12, the first switching circuit further including: a timer for providing the first switching signal, the first switching signal transitioning back and forth between a first voltage level and a second voltage level, the first switching signal remaining at the first voltage level for a first period of time and remaining at the second voltage level for a second period of time; and the ratio of the first period of time to the second period of time being dependent upon the first control signal.

Claim 43

The multiphase direct current regulator of claim 12 further comprising: a second switching circuit, the second switching circuit providing a second switching signal to the second switch, the second switch controlling the amount of current from the DC power source supplied to the second inductor according to the second switching signal; wherein the voltage mode control circuit receives a voltage level proportional to the voltage level at the regulator output and receives a voltage level proportional to a reference voltage level, the voltage mode control circuit providing a second control signal dependent upon a difference between the voltage level proportional to the voltage level at the regulator output and the voltage level proportional to the reference voltage level; wherein the second switching circuit is responsive to the second control signal in providing the second switching signal to the second switch.

Claim 44

The multiphase direct current regulator of claim 36 wherein: the second switching signal transitioning back and forth between a first voltage level and a second voltage level, the second switching signal remaining at the first voltage level for a first period of time and remaining at the second voltage level for a second period of time; and the ratio of the first period of time to the second period of time being dependent upon the second control signal.

Claim 45

The computer system of claim 13 wherein the multiphase regulator circuit wherein: the voltage mode control circuit receives a voltage level proportional to the voltage level at the regulator output and receives a voltage level proportional to a reference voltage level, the voltage mode control circuit providing a second control signal dependent upon a difference between the voltage level proportional to the voltage level at the regulator output and the voltage level proportional to the reference voltage level; the second switching circuit is responsive to the second control signal in providing a second switching signal to the second switch.

Claim 46

The computer system of claim 38 wherein: the second switching signal transitioning back and forth between a first voltage level and a second voltage level, the second switching signal remaining at the first voltage level for a first period of time and remaining at the second voltage level for a second period of time; and the ratio of the first period of time to the second period of time being dependent upon the second control signal.

Claim 47

The computer system of claim 22, the voltage mode control circuit further comprising: a first integrator, the first integrator receiving the indication voltage and providing an integrated voltage level indicative of the amount of current supplied to the second inductor.

Claim 48

The computer system of claim 40, the voltage mode control circuit further comprising: a second integrator, the second integrator receiving a second indication voltage level indicative of an amount of current supplied from the DC power source to the first inductor, the second integrator providing a second integrated voltage level indicative of the amount of current supplied to the first inductor; and a differential amplifier having a first input for receiving a voltage proportional to the first integrated voltage level and having a second input for receiving a voltage level proportional to the second integrated voltage level, the differential amplifier having an output for providing the first control signal.

Claim 49

The computer system of claim 41 wherein: the first switching signal transitioning back and forth between a first voltage level and a second voltage level, the first switching signal remaining at the first voltage level for a first period of time and remaining at the second voltage level for a second period of time; and the ratio of the first period of time to the second period of time being dependent upon the first control signal.

Claim 50

The computer system of claim 42 further comprising: a digital to analog (D/A) converter receiving a digital signal from the processor indicating a desired voltage level, the (D/A) converter providing a reference voltage level proportional to the desired voltage level; wherein the voltage mode control circuit further includes: a comparator receiving at a first input a first voltage level proportional to the voltage level at the regulator output, the comparator receiving at a second input a second voltage level proportional to the reference voltage level, the comparator having an output for providing a second control signal; and a second switching circuit responsive to the second control signal, the second switching circuit providing a second switching signal to the second switch, the second switch controlling the amount of current from the DC power source supplied to the second inductor according to the second switching signal.

Claim 51

The computer system of claim 43 wherein: the second switching signal transitioning back and forth between a first voltage level and a second voltage level, the second switching signal remaining at the first voltage level for a first period of time and remaining at the second voltage level for a second period of time; and the ratio of the first period of time to the second period of time being dependent upon the second control signal.

Claim 52

The computer system of claim 22 wherein the multiphase regulator circuit is a synchronous regulator circuit.

Claim 53

The computer system of claim 22 wherein the multiphase regulator circuit is a non-synchronous regulator circuit.

Claim 54

The computer system of claim 22, the first switching circuit further including; a timer for providing the first switching signal, the first switching signal transitioning back and forth between a first voltage level and a second voltage level, the first switching signal remaining at the first voltage level for a first period of time and remaining at the second voltage level for a second period of time; and the ratio of the first period of time to the second period of time being dependent upon the first control signal.

Claim 55

The computer system of claim 22 wherein the multiphase regulator circuit further includes: a second switching circuit, the second switching circuit providing a second switching signal to the second switch, the second switch controlling the amount of current from the DC power source supplied to the second inductor according to the second switching signal; wherein the voltage mode control circuit receives a voltage level proportional to the voltage level at the regulator output and receives a voltage level proportional to a reference voltage level, the voltage mode control circuit providing a second control signal dependent upon a difference between the voltage level proportional to the voltage level at the regulator output and the voltage level proportional to the reference voltage level; wherein the second switching circuit is responsive to the second control signal in providing the second switching signal to the second switch.

Claim 56

The computer system of claim 48 wherein: the second switching signal transitioning back and forth between a first voltage level and a second voltage level, the second switching signal remaining at the first voltage level for a first period of time and remaining at the second voltage level for a second period of time; and the ratio of the first period of time to the second period of time being dependent upon the second control signal.

Claim 57

A multiphase direct current (DC) regulator for regulating power from a DC power source, the multiphase DC regulator comprising: a first phase including: a first inductor coupled to a regulator output; a first switch coupled to the first inductor, the first switch coupled to receive current from the DC power source and to supply the current to the first inductor, the first switch controlling the amount of current supplied from the DC power source to the first phase as per a first switching signal; a second phase including: a second inductor coupled to the regulator output; a second switch coupled to the second inductor, the second switch coupled to receive current from the DC power source and to supply the current to the second inductor, the second switch controlling the amount of current supplied from the DC power source to the second phase as per a second switching signal; a first switching circuit providing the first switching signal; a second switching circuit providing the second switching signal; a voltage mode control circuit receiving a first indication voltage level indicative of the amount of current supplied from the DC power source to the first phase and receiving a second indication voltage level indicative of the amount of current supplied from the DC power source to the second phase, the voltage mode control circuit providing a first control signal, the first control signal being dependent upon a difference in current amount to the first phase and to the second phase from the DC power source as indicated by the first indication voltage level and the second indication voltage level, wherein the first switching circuit is responsive to the first control signal in providing the first switching signal.

Claim 58

A multiphase direct current (DC) regulator for regulating power from a DC power source, the multiphase DC regulator comprising: a first phase including: a first inductor coupled to a regulator output; a first switch coupled to the first inductor, the first switch coupled to receive current from the DC power source and to supply the current to the first inductor, the first switch controlling the amount of current supplied from the DC power source to the first phase as per a first switching signal; a second phase including: a second inductor coupled to the regulator output; a second switch coupled to the second inductor, the second switch coupled to receive current from the DC power source and to supply the current to the second inductor, the second switch controlling the amount of current supplied from the DC power source to the second phase as per a second switching signal; a first switching circuit providing the first switching signal; a second switching circuit providing the second switching signal; a voltage mode control circuit receiving a first indication voltage level indicative of the amount of current supplied from the DC power source to the first phase and receiving a second indication voltage level indicative of the amount of current supplied from the DC power source to the second phase, the voltage mode control circuit providing a first control signal, the first control signal being dependent upon a difference in current amount to the first phase and to the second phase from the DC power source as indicated by the first indication voltage level and the second indication voltage level, wherein the first switching circuit is responsive to the first control signal in providing the first switching signal.

Claim 59

The multiphase direct current regulator of claim 50, the voltage mode control circuit further comprising: a first integrator, the first integrator receiving the first indication voltage level and providing a first integrated voltage level indicative of the amount of current supplied to the first phase from the DC power source; a second integrator, the second integrator receiving the second indication voltage, the second integrator providing a second integrated voltage level indicative of the amount of current supplied to the second phase from the DC power source; and a differential amplifier having a first input for receiving a voltage proportional to the first integrated voltage level and having a second input for receiving a voltage level proportional to the second integrated voltage level, the differential amplifier having an output for providing the first control signal.

Claim 60

The multiphase direct current regulator of claim 50 wherein: the first indication voltage level is proportional to the first switching signal; and the second indication voltage level is proportional to the second switching signal.

Claim 61

The multiphase direct current regulator of claim 50 wherein: the first inductor has a first end coupled to the first switch, the first the indication voltage level is proportional to the voltage level at the first end of the first inductor; and the second inductor has a first end coupled to the second switch, the second indication voltage level is proportional to the voltage level at the first end of the second inductor.

Claim 62

The multiphase direct current regulator of claim 50 wherein: the voltage mode control circuit receives a voltage level proportional to the voltage level at the regulator output and receives a voltage level proportional to a reference voltage level, the voltage mode control circuit providing a second control signal dependent upon a difference between the voltage level proportional to the voltage level at the regulator output and the voltage level proportional to the reference voltage level; wherein the second switching circuit is responsive to the second control signal in providing the second switching signal to the second switch.

Claim 63

The multiphase direct current regulator of claim 54 wherein: the first switching signal has a duty cycle, the duty cycle being dependent upon the first control signal; the second switching signal has a duty cycle, the duty cycle of the second switching signal being dependent upon the second control signal.

Claim 64

The multiphase direct current regulator of claim 50 wherein: the first switching signal has a duty cycle, the duty cycle being dependent upon the first control signal.

Claim 65

The multiphase direct current regulator of claim 50 wherein: the first switching circuit includes a first timer, the first timer having an output for providing the first switching signal; the second switching circuit including a second timer, the second timer having an output for providing the second switching signal.

Claim 66

A computer system including the multiphase direct current regulator of claim 50 and the DC power source, the computer system further including a system processor receiving power from the regulator output.

Claim 69

The method of claim 59 further wherein: the first voltage level is proportional to the first switching signal; the second voltage level is proportional to the second switching signal.

Claim 70

The method of claim 59 wherein the adjusting the first switching signal includes: integrating the first voltage level; integrating the second voltage level; comparing the integrated first voltage level with the integrated second voltage level; and adjusting the first switching signal according to the comparison.

Claim 71

The method of claim 59 wherein: the first switching signal is provided at a first duty cycle; and adjusting the first switching signal includes adjusting the duty cycle.

Claim 72

The method of claim 59 further comprising: comparing a voltage reference level with a voltage level proportional to a voltage level of an output of the multiphase regulator; and adjusting the second switching signal according to the comparison.