US6058030A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multiple output DC-to-DC converter having enhanced noise margin and related methods
Assignee: Harris Corp
•
Filing: 1997-11-20
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Granted: 2000-05-02
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Expires: 2017-11-20
Abstract
Abstract A circuit includes a plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits and separates in time switching of the respective power switches of the DC-to-DC converter circuits which would otherwise be switching at nearly a same time, such as based upon a same desired output level. The switching time may be separated by inverting a periodic control waveform of at least one of the DC-to-DC converter circuits. The multiple output DC-to-DC converter circuit thereby provides an increased noise margin and operates with greater accuracy and stability. The circuit may also determine when the DC-to-DC converter circuits would otherwise be switching at nearly the same time, and activate the switching time separation responsive thereto. For example, the determination may be made based upon a selectable output level being within a predetermined range of at least one other output level. The circuit in accordance with the invention is particularly advantageous for a single integrated circuit implementation, and may be used, for example, on a portable computer motherboard.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles E. Hawkes
- 👤 Michael M. Walters
- 👤 Thomas A. Jochum
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 12:59
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02M; H02M3/00; H02M3/02; H02M3/04; H02M3/10; H02M3/145; H02M3/155; H02M3/156; H02J; H02J1/00; H02J1/10; H02J1/102
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
A circuit for generating a plurality of direct current (DC) outputs comprising: a plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits, each comprising at least one power switch and a control circuit for controlling a duty cycle of the at least one power switch based upon a periodic control waveform, the control circuits generating periodic control waveforms capable of causing the power switches to be switching at a substantially same time; determining means for determining when the respective power switches of said plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits would otherwise be switching within a predetermined time of each other; switching time separating means for separating in time switching of the respective power switches of said plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits by setting at least one periodic control waveform to be different than at least one other periodic control waveform to thereby provide an increased noise margin for said plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits; and activating means for selectively activating said switching time separating means responsive to said determining means determining that the respective power switches of said plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits would otherwise be switching within the predetermined time of each other.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
189 words
A circuit for generating a plurality of direct current (DC) outputs comprising: a plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits, each comprising at least one power switch and a control circuit for controlling a duty cycle of the at least one power switch based upon a periodic control waveform, the control circuits generating periodic control waveforms capable of causing the power switches to be switching at a substantially same time; determining means for determining when the respective power switches of said plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits would otherwise be switching within a predetermined time of each other; switching time separating means for separating in time switching of the respective power switches of said plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits by setting at least one periodic control waveform to be different than at least one other periodic control waveform to thereby provide an increased noise margin for said plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits; and activating means for selectively activating said switching time separating means responsive to said determining means determining that the respective power switches of said plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits would otherwise be switching within the predetermined time of each other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
A circuit according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said DC-to-DC converter circuits has a selectable output level; and wherein said determining means comprises means for determining if the selectable output level is within a predetermined range of at least one other output level.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A circuit according to claim 1 wherein said switching time separating means comprises an inverter for inverting the periodic control waveform of the at least one DC-to-DC converter circuit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
93 words
A circuit according to claim 1 wherein each of said control circuits comprises: a periodic waveform generator for generating the periodic control waveform from a clock signal; output voltage sensing means for sensing an output voltage and generating a sensed output voltage signal; an error amplifier for generating an error signal based upon the sensed output voltage signal and a reference signal related to the desired output level; and a comparator for generating control output pulses for said at least one power switch based upon the error signal and the periodic control waveform.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A circuit according to claim 4 wherein said periodic control waveform generator comprises a triangle waveform generator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A circuit according to claim 5 wherein said triangle waveform generator comprises means for generating a triangle waveform having a predetermined frequency; and wherein the frequencies of all of said triangle waveform generators are the same.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A circuit according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits and said switching time separating means are formed in an integrated circuit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A circuit according to claim 1 further comprising common ground and power supply connections for said plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A circuit according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits has a selectable output level.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
165 words
A circuit for generating a plurality of direct current (DC) outputs comprising: a plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits, each comprising at least one power switch and a control circuit for controlling a duty cycle of the at least one power switch based upon a periodic control waveform, the control circuits generating periodic control waveforms capable of causing the power switches to be switching at a substantially same time; determining means for determining when the respective power switches of said plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits would otherwise be switching within a predetermined time of each other; and switching time separating means for separating in time switching of the respective power switches of said plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits by setting at least one periodic control waveform to be different than at least one other periodic control waveform responsive to said determining means determining that the respective power switches of said plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits would otherwise be switching within the predetermined time of each other.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
165 words
A circuit for generating a plurality of direct current (DC) outputs comprising: a plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits, each comprising at least one power switch and a control circuit for controlling a duty cycle of the at least one power switch based upon a periodic control waveform, the control circuits generating periodic control waveforms capable of causing the power switches to be switching at a substantially same time; determining means for determining when the respective power switches of said plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits would otherwise be switching within a predetermined time of each other; and switching time separating means for separating in time switching of the respective power switches of said plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits by setting at least one periodic control waveform to be different than at least one other periodic control waveform responsive to said determining means determining that the respective power switches of said plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits would otherwise be switching within the predetermined time of each other.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
A circuit according to claim 10 wherein at least one of said DC-to-DC converter circuits has a selectable output level; and wherein said determining means comprises means for determining if the selectable output level is within a predetermined range of at least one other output level.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
A circuit according to claim 10 wherein said switching time separating means comprises an inverter for inverting the periodic control waveform of the at least one DC-to-DC converter circuit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
93 words
A circuit according to claim 10 wherein each of said control circuits comprises: a periodic waveform generator for generating the periodic control waveform from a clock signal; output voltage sensing means for sensing an output voltage and generating a sensed output voltage signal; an error amplifier for generating an error signal based upon the sensed output voltage signal and a reference signal related to the desired output level; and a comparator for generating control output pulses for said at least one power switch based upon the error signal and the periodic control waveform.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A circuit according to claim 13 wherein said periodic control waveform generator comprises a triangle waveform generator.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
A circuit according to claim 14 wherein said triangle waveform generator comprises means for generating a triangle waveform having a predetermined frequency; and wherein the frequencies of all of said triangle waveform generators are the same.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
A circuit according to claim 10 wherein said plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits and said switching time separating means are formed in an integrated circuit.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
A circuit according to claim 10 further comprising common ground and power supply connections for said plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
A circuit according to claim 10 wherein at least one of said plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits has a selectable output level.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
150 words
A circuit for generating a plurality of direct current (DC) outputs comprising: a plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits, each comprising at least one power switch and a control circuit for controlling a duty cycle of the at least one power switch, the control circuits generating periodic control waveforms capable of causing the power switches to be switching at a substantially same time; determining means for determining when the respective power switches of said plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits would otherwise be switching within a predetermined time of each other; switching time separating means for separating in time switching of the respective power switches of said plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits; and activating means for selectively activating said switching time separating means responsive to said determining means determining that the respective power switches of said plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits would otherwise be switching within the predetermined time of each other.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
150 words
A circuit for generating a plurality of direct current (DC) outputs comprising: a plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits, each comprising at least one power switch and a control circuit for controlling a duty cycle of the at least one power switch, the control circuits generating periodic control waveforms capable of causing the power switches to be switching at a substantially same time; determining means for determining when the respective power switches of said plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits would otherwise be switching within a predetermined time of each other; switching time separating means for separating in time switching of the respective power switches of said plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits; and activating means for selectively activating said switching time separating means responsive to said determining means determining that the respective power switches of said plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits would otherwise be switching within the predetermined time of each other.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
46 words
A circuit according to claim 19 wherein at least one of said DC-to-DC converter circuits has a selectable output level; and wherein said determining means comprises means for determining if the selectable output level is within a predetermined range of at least one other output level.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
A circuit according to claim 19 wherein said switching time separating means comprises an inverter for inverting the periodic control waveform of the at least one DC-to-DC converter circuit.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
93 words
A circuit according to claim 19 wherein each of said control circuits comprises: a periodic waveform generator for generating the periodic control waveform from a clock signal; output voltage sensing means for sensing an output voltage and generating a sensed output voltage signal; an error amplifier for generating an error signal based upon the sensed output voltage signal and a reference signal related to the desired output level; and a comparator for generating control output pulses for said at least one power switch based upon the error signal and the periodic control waveform.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
A circuit according to claim 22 wherein said periodic control waveform generator comprises a triangle waveform generator.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
A circuit according to claim 23 wherein said triangle waveform generator comprises means for generating a triangle waveform having a predetermined frequency; and wherein the frequencies of all of said triangle waveform generators are the same.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
A circuit according to claim 19 wherein said plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits and said switching time separating means are formed in an integrated circuit.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
A circuit according to claim 19 further comprising common ground and power supply connections for said plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
A circuit according to claim 19 wherein at least one of said plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits has a selectable output level.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
154 words
A circuit board comprising: a plurality of loads; and a plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits connected to respective loads, each DC-to-DC converter circuit comprising at least one power switch and a control circuit for controlling a duty cycle of the at least one power switch, the control circuits generating periodic control waveforms capable of causing the power switches to be switching at a substantially same time; determining means for determining when the respective power switches of said plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits would otherwise be switching within a predetermined time of each other; switching time separating means for separating in time switching of the respective power switches of said plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits; and activating means for selectively activating said switching time separating means responsive to said determining means determining that the respective power switches of said plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits would otherwise be switching within the predetermined time of each other.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
154 words
A circuit board comprising: a plurality of loads; and a plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits connected to respective loads, each DC-to-DC converter circuit comprising at least one power switch and a control circuit for controlling a duty cycle of the at least one power switch, the control circuits generating periodic control waveforms capable of causing the power switches to be switching at a substantially same time; determining means for determining when the respective power switches of said plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits would otherwise be switching within a predetermined time of each other; switching time separating means for separating in time switching of the respective power switches of said plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits; and activating means for selectively activating said switching time separating means responsive to said determining means determining that the respective power switches of said plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits would otherwise be switching within the predetermined time of each other.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
24 words
A circuit board according to claim 28 wherein said plurality of loads comprises at least one of an input/output circuit, and a microprocessor core.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
47 words
A circuit board according to claim 28 wherein at least one of said DC-to-DC converter circuits has a selectable output level; and wherein said determining means comprises means for determining if the selectable output level is within a predetermined range of at least one other output level.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
30 words
A circuit board according to claim 28 wherein said switching time separating means comprises an inverter for inverting the periodic control waveform of the at least one DC-to-DC converter circuit.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
94 words
A circuit board according to claim 28 wherein each of said control circuits comprises: a periodic waveform generator for generating the periodic control waveform from a clock signal; output voltage sensing means for sensing an output voltage and generating a sensed output voltage signal; an error amplifier for generating an error signal based upon the sensed output voltage signal and a reference signal related to the desired output level; and a comparator for generating control output pulses for said at least one power switch based upon the error signal and the periodic control waveform.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
18 words
A circuit board according to claim 32 wherein said periodic control waveform generator comprises a triangle waveform generator.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
37 words
A circuit board according to claim 33 wherein said triangle waveform generator comprises means for generating a triangle waveform having a predetermined frequency; and wherein the frequencies of all of said triangle waveform generators are the same.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
26 words
A circuit board according to claim 28 wherein said plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits and said switching time separating means are formed in an integrated circuit.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
22 words
A circuit board according to claim 28 further comprising common ground and power supply connections for said plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
23 words
A circuit board according to claim 28 wherein at least one of said plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits has a selectable output level.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
149 words
A method for generating a plurality of direct current (DC) outputs using a plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits, each comprising at least one power switch and a control circuit for controlling a duty cycle of the respective at least one power switch, the method comprising the steps of: controlling duty cycles of the respective power switches of the plurality of DC-to-DC converters, the control circuits generating periodic control waveforms capable of causing the power switches to be switching at a substantially same time; determining when at least two of the plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits would otherwise be switching within a predetermined time of each other; and separating in time switching of the respective power switches of the plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits responsive to determining that the respective power switches of the plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits would otherwise be switching within the predetermined time of each other.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
149 words
A method for generating a plurality of direct current (DC) outputs using a plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits, each comprising at least one power switch and a control circuit for controlling a duty cycle of the respective at least one power switch, the method comprising the steps of: controlling duty cycles of the respective power switches of the plurality of DC-to-DC converters, the control circuits generating periodic control waveforms capable of causing the power switches to be switching at a substantially same time; determining when at least two of the plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits would otherwise be switching within a predetermined time of each other; and separating in time switching of the respective power switches of the plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits responsive to determining that the respective power switches of the plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits would otherwise be switching within the predetermined time of each other.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method according to claim 38 wherein at least one of the DC-to-DC converter circuits has a selectable output level; and wherein the step of determining comprises determining if the selectable output level is within a predetermined range of at least one other output level.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 38 wherein the step of separating switching comprises inverting a periodic control waveform of at least one of the DC-to-DC converter circuits.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
70 words
A method according to claim 38 further comprising the steps of: generating a periodic control waveform; sensing an output voltage and generating a sensed output voltage signal; generating an error signal based upon the sensed output voltage signal and a reference signal related to the desired output level; and generating control output pulses for the at least one power switch based upon the error signal and the periodic control waveform.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 41 further comprising the step of generating the periodic control waveform as a triangle waveform having a predetermined frequency.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 38 further comprising the step of sharing common ground and power supply connections for the plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits.
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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) | 2003-05-02 | 2003-11-01 | 2004-05-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-05-02 | 2007-11-01 | 2008-05-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-05-02 | 2011-11-01 | 2012-05-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |