US6150803A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dual input, single output power supply
Assignee: Analog Devices International ULC
•
Filing: 2000-03-28
•
Granted: 2000-11-21
•
Expires: 2020-03-28
Abstract
Abstract Regulator circuits and regulation techniques that provide sufficient power for a given load requirement even where no single power supply in the system is adequate to satisfy the given load requirement. Circuits and techniques according to the invention use multiple switching regulators having inputs at different voltages and having a single combined output. A current-sense circuit allocates power provided to the output by the switching regulators such that each switching regulator provides a portion of the total output current, and therefore, power to the switching regulator.
Inventors
- 👤 Craig S. Varga
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 13:17
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02M; H02M3/00; H02M3/02; H02M3/04; H02M3/10; H02M3/145; H02M3/155; H02M3/156; H02M3/158; H02M3/1584
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 72
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A regulator circuit for providing a regulated output, the regulator circuit comprising: a plurality of switching regulators, each switching regulator including a separate input, each switching regulator including an output coupled to the regulated output and each switching regulator including an independent pulse width modulator circuit; and a plurality of current-sense circuits, each current-sense circuit coupled between the regulated output and each switching regulator and that utilizes the pulse width modulator circuit in each switching regulator to allocate current provided to the regulated output from each of the switching regulators in accordance with a ratio such that more than one switching regulator provides a portion of the regulated output.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
A regulator circuit for providing a regulated output, the regulator circuit comprising: a plurality of switching regulators, each switching regulator including a separate input, each switching regulator including an output coupled to the regulated output and each switching regulator including an independent pulse width modulator circuit; and a plurality of current-sense circuits, each current-sense circuit coupled between the regulated output and each switching regulator and that utilizes the pulse width modulator circuit in each switching regulator to allocate current provided to the regulated output from each of the switching regulators in accordance with a ratio such that more than one switching regulator provides a portion of the regulated output.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The regulator circuit of claim 1, wherein each input to each switching regulator is at a different voltage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The regulator circuit of claim 1, wherein each input to each switching regulator is at the same voltage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The regulator circuit of claim 1, wherein said ratio is fixed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The regulator circuit of claim 1, wherein each current-sense circuit of the plurality of current sense circuits comprises a fixed resistor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The regulator circuit of claim 1, wherein each current-sense circuit of the plurality of current-sense circuits comprises a current sense resistor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The regulator circuit of claim 1, wherein each of the switching regulators is a current-mode switching regulator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The regulator circuit of claim 1, wherein each of the switching regulators is a voltage-mode switching regulator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The regulator circuit of claim 1, wherein each of the switching regulators is a step-down regulator.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The regulator circuit of claim 1, wherein each of the switching regulators is a step-up regulator.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The regulator circuit of claim 1, wherein each of the switching regulators operates out-of-phase with one another.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The regulator circuit of claim 1, wherein each of the switching regulators operates in-phase with one another.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
108 words
A regulator circuit for providing a regulated output, the regulator circuit comprising: a plurality of switching regulators, each switching regulator including a separate input, each switching regulator including an output coupled to the regulated output and each switching regulator including an independent pulse width modulator circuit; and a plurality of current-sense circuits, each current-sense circuit coupled between each input and each switching regulator and that utilizes the pulse width modulator circuit in each switching regulator to allocate current provided to the regulated output from each of the switching regulators in accordance with a ratio such that more than one switching regulator provides a portion of the regulated output.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
108 words
A regulator circuit for providing a regulated output, the regulator circuit comprising: a plurality of switching regulators, each switching regulator including a separate input, each switching regulator including an output coupled to the regulated output and each switching regulator including an independent pulse width modulator circuit; and a plurality of current-sense circuits, each current-sense circuit coupled between each input and each switching regulator and that utilizes the pulse width modulator circuit in each switching regulator to allocate current provided to the regulated output from each of the switching regulators in accordance with a ratio such that more than one switching regulator provides a portion of the regulated output.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The regulator circuit of claim 13, wherein each input to each switching regulator is at a different voltage.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The regulator circuit of claim 13, wherein each input to each switching regulator is at the same voltage.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
11 words
The regulator circuit of claim 13, wherein said ratio is fixed.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The regulator circuit of claim 13, wherein each current-sense circuit of the plurality of current sense circuits comprises a fixed resistor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The regulator circuit of claim 13, wherein each current-sense circuit of the plurality of current-sense circuits comprises a current sense resistor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The regulator circuit of claim 13, wherein each of the switching regulators is a current-mode switching regulator.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The regulator circuit of claim 13, wherein each of the switching regulators is a voltage-mode switching regulator.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The regulator circuit of claim 13, wherein each of the switching regulators is a step-down regulator.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The regulator circuit of claim 13, wherein each of the switching regulators is a step-up regulator.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The regulator circuit of claim 13, wherein each of the switching regulators operates out-of-phase with one another.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
The regulator circuit of claim 13, wherein each of the switching regulators operates in-phase with one another.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of regulating an output voltage using a regulator circuit, said regulator circuit including multiple switching regulators, the method comprising: sensing an output current; allocating a portion of said output current provided by each of said switching regulators by independently controlling a duty cycle of each switching regulator, said allocating being based on a ratio; and using a separate supply input for each of the switching regulators.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of regulating an output voltage using a regulator circuit, said regulator circuit including multiple switching regulators, the method comprising: sensing an output current; allocating a portion of said output current provided by each of said switching regulators by independently controlling a duty cycle of each switching regulator, said allocating being based on a ratio; and using a separate supply input for each of the switching regulators.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 25, said using a separate supply input for each of the switching regulators comprising using a separate supply input, each input being at a different voltage.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 25, wherein said allocating comprises allocating a portion of said output current provided by each of said switching regulators, each of said portions being different.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 25, wherein said allocating comprises allocating according to a fixed ratio.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 25, wherein said allocating comprises allocating according to a pre-determined ratio.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of regulating an output voltage using a regulator circuit, said regulator circuit including multiple switching regulators, the method comprising: sensing the output voltage; independently controlling a duty cycle of each switching regulator based on an input voltage and the output voltage; further controlling each of the duty cycles in order to maintain a ratio between output currents provided by each of the switching regulators; and using a separate supply input for each of the switching regulators.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of regulating an output voltage using a regulator circuit, said regulator circuit including multiple switching regulators, the method comprising: sensing the output voltage; independently controlling a duty cycle of each switching regulator based on an input voltage and the output voltage; further controlling each of the duty cycles in order to maintain a ratio between output currents provided by each of the switching regulators; and using a separate supply input for each of the switching regulators.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 30, said using a separate supply input for each of the switching regulators comprising using a separate supply input, each input being at a different voltage.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 30, wherein said further controlling comprises allocating a portion of said output current provided by each of said switching regulators, each of said portions being different.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 32, wherein said allocating comprises allocating according to a fixed ratio.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 32, wherein said allocating comprises allocating according to a pre-determined ratio.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
131 words
A regulator circuit for providing a regulated output, the regulator circuit comprising: a plurality of switching regulators, each switching regulator including a separate input, each switching regulator including an output coupled to the regulated output and each switching regulator including an independent pulse width modulator circuit; a feedback circuit coupled between the regulated output and each switching regulator that sets the total current provided by the regulator circuit; and a plurality of current-sense circuits, each current-sense circuit coupled between the regulated output and each switching regulator and that utilizes the pulse width modulator circuit in each switching regulator to allocate current provided to the regulated output from each of the switching regulators in accordance with a ratio such that more than one switching regulator provides a portion of the regulated output.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
131 words
A regulator circuit for providing a regulated output, the regulator circuit comprising: a plurality of switching regulators, each switching regulator including a separate input, each switching regulator including an output coupled to the regulated output and each switching regulator including an independent pulse width modulator circuit; a feedback circuit coupled between the regulated output and each switching regulator that sets the total current provided by the regulator circuit; and a plurality of current-sense circuits, each current-sense circuit coupled between the regulated output and each switching regulator and that utilizes the pulse width modulator circuit in each switching regulator to allocate current provided to the regulated output from each of the switching regulators in accordance with a ratio such that more than one switching regulator provides a portion of the regulated output.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
18 words
The regulator circuit of claim 35, wherein each input to each switching regulator is at a different voltage.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
18 words
The regulator circuit of claim 35, wherein each input to each switching regulator is at the same voltage.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
11 words
The regulator circuit of claim 35, wherein said ratio is fixed.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
21 words
The regulator circuit of claim 35, wherein each current-sense circuit of the plurality of current sense circuits comprises a fixed resistor.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
21 words
The regulator circuit of claim 35, wherein each current-sense circuit of the plurality of current-sense circuits comprises a current sense resistor.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
17 words
The regulator circuit of claim 35, wherein each of the switching regulators is a current-mode switching regulator.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
17 words
The regulator circuit of claim 35, wherein each of the switching regulators is a voltage-mode switching regulator.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
16 words
The regulator circuit of claim 35, wherein each of the switching regulators is a step-down regulator.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
16 words
The regulator circuit of claim 35, wherein each of the switching regulators is a step-up regulator.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
17 words
The regulator circuit of claim 35, wherein each of the switching regulators operates out-of-phase with one another.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
17 words
The regulator circuit of claim 35, wherein each of the switching regulators operates in-phase with one another.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
130 words
A regulator circuit for providing a regulated output, the regulator circuit comprising: a plurality of switching regulators, each switching regulator including a separate input, each switching regulator including an output coupled to the regulated output and each switching regulator including an independent pulse width modulator circuit; a feedback circuit coupled between the regulated output and each switching regulator that sets the total current provided by the regulator circuit; and a plurality of current-sense circuits, each current-sense circuit coupled between each input and each switching regulator and that utilizes the pulse width modulator circuit in each switching regulator to allocate current provided to the regulated output from each of the switching regulators in accordance with a ratio such that more than one switching regulator provides a portion of the regulated output.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
130 words
A regulator circuit for providing a regulated output, the regulator circuit comprising: a plurality of switching regulators, each switching regulator including a separate input, each switching regulator including an output coupled to the regulated output and each switching regulator including an independent pulse width modulator circuit; a feedback circuit coupled between the regulated output and each switching regulator that sets the total current provided by the regulator circuit; and a plurality of current-sense circuits, each current-sense circuit coupled between each input and each switching regulator and that utilizes the pulse width modulator circuit in each switching regulator to allocate current provided to the regulated output from each of the switching regulators in accordance with a ratio such that more than one switching regulator provides a portion of the regulated output.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
18 words
The regulator circuit of claim 47, wherein each input to each switching regulator is at a different voltage.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
18 words
The regulator circuit of claim 47, wherein each input to each switching regulator is at the same voltage.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
11 words
The regulator circuit of claim 47, wherein said ratio is fixed.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
21 words
The regulator circuit of claim 47, wherein each current-sense circuit of the plurality of current sense circuits comprises a fixed resistor.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
21 words
The regulator circuit of claim 47, wherein each current-sense circuit of the plurality of current-sense circuits comprises a current sense resistor.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
17 words
The regulator circuit of claim 47, wherein each of the switching regulators is a current-mode switching regulator.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
17 words
The regulator circuit of claim 47, wherein each of the switching regulators is a voltage-mode switching regulator.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
16 words
The regulator circuit of claim 47, wherein each of the switching regulators is a step-down regulator.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
16 words
The regulator circuit of claim 47, wherein each of the switching regulators is a step-up regulator.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
17 words
The regulator circuit of claim 47, wherein each of the switching regulators operates out-of-phase with one another.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
17 words
The regulator circuit of claim 47, wherein each of the switching regulators operates in-phase with one another.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
84 words
A regulator circuit comprising: a regulated output; and a plurality of switching regulators, each switching regulator comprising: a separate input; an output coupled to the regulated output; an independent pulse width modulator circuit; and a current-sense circuit coupled to the regulated output and the pulse-width modulator circuit, and that utilizes the pulse width modulator circuit to allocate current provided to the regulated output from the switching regulator in accordance with a ratio such that the switching regulator provides a portion of the regulated output.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
84 words
A regulator circuit comprising: a regulated output; and a plurality of switching regulators, each switching regulator comprising: a separate input; an output coupled to the regulated output; an independent pulse width modulator circuit; and a current-sense circuit coupled to the regulated output and the pulse-width modulator circuit, and that utilizes the pulse width modulator circuit to allocate current provided to the regulated output from the switching regulator in accordance with a ratio such that the switching regulator provides a portion of the regulated output.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
90 words
A regulator circuit for providing a regulated output, the regulator circuit comprising: a regulated output; and a plurality of switching regulators, each switching regulator comprising: a separate input; an output coupled to the regulated output; an independent pulse width modulator circuit; and a current-sense circuit coupled to the input and the pulse width modulator circuit, that utilizes the pulse width modulator circuit to allocate current provided to the regulated output from the switching regulator in accordance with a ratio wherein the switching regulator provides a portion of the regulated output.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
90 words
A regulator circuit for providing a regulated output, the regulator circuit comprising: a regulated output; and a plurality of switching regulators, each switching regulator comprising: a separate input; an output coupled to the regulated output; an independent pulse width modulator circuit; and a current-sense circuit coupled to the input and the pulse width modulator circuit, that utilizes the pulse width modulator circuit to allocate current provided to the regulated output from the switching regulator in accordance with a ratio wherein the switching regulator provides a portion of the regulated output.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
111 words
A regulator circuit for providing a regulated output, the regulator circuit comprising: a plurality of switching regulators, each switching regulator comprising: a separate input; an output coupled to the regulated output; an independent pulse width modulator circuit; and a current-sense circuit coupled to the regulated output and the pulse width modulator circuit that utilizes the pulse width modulator circuit to allocate current provided to the regulated output from the switching regulator in accordance with a ratio such that the switching regulator provides a portion of the regulated output; and a feedback circuit coupled between the regulated output and each switching regulator that sets the total current provided by the regulator circuit.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
111 words
A regulator circuit for providing a regulated output, the regulator circuit comprising: a plurality of switching regulators, each switching regulator comprising: a separate input; an output coupled to the regulated output; an independent pulse width modulator circuit; and a current-sense circuit coupled to the regulated output and the pulse width modulator circuit that utilizes the pulse width modulator circuit to allocate current provided to the regulated output from the switching regulator in accordance with a ratio such that the switching regulator provides a portion of the regulated output; and a feedback circuit coupled between the regulated output and each switching regulator that sets the total current provided by the regulator circuit.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
111 words
A regulator circuit for providing a regulated output, the regulator circuit comprising: a plurality of switching regulators, each switching regulator comprising: a separate input; an output coupled to the regulated output; an independent pulse width modulator circuit; and a current-sense circuit coupled to the input and to the pulse width modulator circuit that utilizes the pulse width modulator circuit to allocate current provided to the regulated output from the switching regulator in accordance with a ratio such that the switching regulator provides a portion of the regulated output; and a feedback circuit coupled between the regulated output and each switching regulator that sets the total current provided by the regulator circuit.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
111 words
A regulator circuit for providing a regulated output, the regulator circuit comprising: a plurality of switching regulators, each switching regulator comprising: a separate input; an output coupled to the regulated output; an independent pulse width modulator circuit; and a current-sense circuit coupled to the input and to the pulse width modulator circuit that utilizes the pulse width modulator circuit to allocate current provided to the regulated output from the switching regulator in accordance with a ratio such that the switching regulator provides a portion of the regulated output; and a feedback circuit coupled between the regulated output and each switching regulator that sets the total current provided by the regulator circuit.
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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) | 2003-11-21 | 2004-05-22 | 2004-11-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-11-21 | 2008-05-22 | 2008-11-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-11-21 | 2012-05-22 | 2012-11-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |