US6936999B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for controlling output-timing parameters of power converters
Assignee: POWER-ONE Ltd
•
Filing: 2003-03-14
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Granted: 2005-08-30
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Expires: 2023-03-14
Abstract
Abstract A system and method is provided for utilizing output-timing data to control at least one output timing parameter of a point-of-load (“POL”) regulator. Specifically, a power supply controller (“controller”) is adapted to transmit output-timing data to at least one POL regulator. In one embodiment of the present invention, each POL regulator includes an output builder, a control unit and a storage device. The control unit is adapted to store the output-timing data in the storage device. The control unit and the output builder are then adapted to produce an output having at least one output timing parameter in accordance with the output-timing data. Examples of output-timing data include sequencing data, turn-on data, turn-off data, termination data, slew-rate data, etc. For example, a POL regulator may be adapted to utilize output-timing data, or a portion thereof (e.g., slew-rate data), to generate an output having a particular slew rate. Similarly, a POL regulator may be adapted to utilize output-timing data, or a portion thereof (e.g., sequencing data, turn-on data, etc.), to determine (or calculate) a period of time to wait (e.g., delay period) before the output is generated. In other words, output-timing data can be used to produce a series of outputs in a particular order, or sequence.
Inventors
- 👤 Alain Chapuis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 15:40
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02M; H02M3/00; H02M3/02; H02M3/04; H02M3/10; H02M3/145; H02M3/155; H02M3/156; H02M1/00; H02M1/08; H02J; H02J1/00; H02J1/08; H02J1/082; H02M1/0067; H02M1/008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 54
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
A power control system comprising: a power supply controller adapted to transmit output data; a data bus connected to said power supply controller; and at least one point-of-load (“POL”) regulator connected to said data bus, said at least one POL regulator comprising: a storage device adapted to store said output data; an output builder adapted to generate an output; and a control unit adapted to determine at least one timing parameter of said output in accordance with said output data.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
80 words
A power control system comprising: a power supply controller adapted to transmit output data; a data bus connected to said power supply controller; and at least one point-of-load (“POL”) regulator connected to said data bus, said at least one POL regulator comprising: a storage device adapted to store said output data; an output builder adapted to generate an output; and a control unit adapted to determine at least one timing parameter of said output in accordance with said output data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
162 words
A power control system comprising: a power supply controller adapted to transmit output data; a data bus connected to said power supply controller; and at least one point-of-load (“POL”) regulator connected to said data bus, said at least one POL regulator comprising: a storage device adapted to store said output data; an output builder adapted to generate an output; and a control unit adapted to determine at least one timing parameter of said output in accordance with said output data; wherein said output data further comprises at least one of turn-on data providing a command to turn-on the corresponding POL regulator, voltage set-point data providing a desired output voltage of the corresponding POL regulator, slew-rate data providing a rate of change of output voltage of the corresponding POL regulator, turn-off data providing a command to turn off the corresponding POL regulator, and sequencing data providing a delay period between either a turn-on or turn-off command and actual generation of a corresponding output.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
162 words
A power control system comprising: a power supply controller adapted to transmit output data; a data bus connected to said power supply controller; and at least one point-of-load (“POL”) regulator connected to said data bus, said at least one POL regulator comprising: a storage device adapted to store said output data; an output builder adapted to generate an output; and a control unit adapted to determine at least one timing parameter of said output in accordance with said output data; wherein said output data further comprises at least one of turn-on data providing a command to turn-on the corresponding POL regulator, voltage set-point data providing a desired output voltage of the corresponding POL regulator, slew-rate data providing a rate of change of output voltage of the corresponding POL regulator, turn-off data providing a command to turn off the corresponding POL regulator, and sequencing data providing a delay period between either a turn-on or turn-off command and actual generation of a corresponding output.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The power control system of claim 2 , wherein said control unit is further adapted to determine a turn-on period to generate desired output in accordance with at least one of said turn-on data, said sequencing data, said slew rate data, and said voltage set point data.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
The power control system of claim 2 , wherein said control unit is further adapted to determine a turn-off period of time to terminate a selected output in accordance with at least one of said turn-off data, said sequencing data, said slew rate data, and said voltage set point data.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The power control system of claim 3 , wherein said turn-on period is provided by said power supply controller in said sequencing data.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The power control system of claim 3 , wherein said turn-on period is calculated by said control unit using said sequencing data, said slew rate data, and said voltage set point data.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The power control system of claim 1 , wherein said storage device further comprises at least one register.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The power control system of claim 1 , wherein said data bus further comprises a bi-directional serial bus.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of determining at least one output-timing parameter of at least one point-of-load (“POL”) regulator comprising: receiving output-timing data from a controller; storing said output-timing data in a POL storage device; generating an output of said at least one POL regulator; and using said output-timing data to determine at least one timing parameter of said output.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of determining at least one output-timing parameter of at least one point-of-load (“POL”) regulator comprising: receiving output-timing data from a controller; storing said output-timing data in a POL storage device; generating an output of said at least one POL regulator; and using said output-timing data to determine at least one timing parameter of said output.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of determining at least one output-timing parameter of at least one point-of-load (“POL”) regulator comprising: receiving output-timing data from a controller; storing said output-timing data in a POL storage device; generating an output of said at least one POL regulator; and using said output-timing data to determine at least one timing parameter of said output; wherein said step of receiving output-timing data further comprises receiving sequencing data and said step of using said output-timing data further comprises using said sequencing data to determine when said output should be generated.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of determining at least one output-timing parameter of at least one point-of-load (“POL”) regulator comprising: receiving output-timing data from a controller; storing said output-timing data in a POL storage device; generating an output of said at least one POL regulator; and using said output-timing data to determine at least one timing parameter of said output; wherein said step of receiving output-timing data further comprises receiving sequencing data and said step of using said output-timing data further comprises using said sequencing data to determine when said output should be generated.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of determining at least one output-timing parameter of at least one point-of-load (“POL”) regulator comprising: receiving output-timing data from a controller; storing said output-timing data in a POL storage device; generating an output of said at least one POL regulator; and using said output-timing data to determine at least one timing parameter of said output; wherein said step of receiving output-timing data further comprises receiving slew-rate data and said step of using said output-timing data further comprises using said slew-rate data to determine the slew rate of said output.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of determining at least one output-timing parameter of at least one point-of-load (“POL”) regulator comprising: receiving output-timing data from a controller; storing said output-timing data in a POL storage device; generating an output of said at least one POL regulator; and using said output-timing data to determine at least one timing parameter of said output; wherein said step of receiving output-timing data further comprises receiving slew-rate data and said step of using said output-timing data further comprises using said slew-rate data to determine the slew rate of said output.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of determining at least one output-timing parameter of at least one point-of-load (“POL”) regulator comprising: receiving output-timing data from a controller; storing said output-timing data in a POL storage device; generating an output of said at least one POL regulator; and using said output-timing data to determine at least one timing parameter of said output; wherein said step of receiving output-timing data further comprises receiving turn-off data and said step of using said output-timing data further comprises using said turn-off data to calculate a turn-off delay period corresponding to when said output is to be turned off.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of determining at least one output-timing parameter of at least one point-of-load (“POL”) regulator comprising: receiving output-timing data from a controller; storing said output-timing data in a POL storage device; generating an output of said at least one POL regulator; and using said output-timing data to determine at least one timing parameter of said output; wherein said step of receiving output-timing data further comprises receiving turn-off data and said step of using said output-timing data further comprises using said turn-off data to calculate a turn-off delay period corresponding to when said output is to be turned off.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of determining at least one output-timing parameter of at least one point-of-load (“POL”) regulator comprising: receiving output-timing data from a controller; storing said output-timing data in a POL storage device; generating an output of said at least one POL regulator; and using said output-timing data to determine at least one timing parameter of said output; wherein said step of receiving output-timing data further comprises receiving turn-on data and said step of using said output-timing data further comprises using said turn-on data to calculate a turn-on delay period corresponding to when said output should be generated.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of determining at least one output-timing parameter of at least one point-of-load (“POL”) regulator comprising: receiving output-timing data from a controller; storing said output-timing data in a POL storage device; generating an output of said at least one POL regulator; and using said output-timing data to determine at least one timing parameter of said output; wherein said step of receiving output-timing data further comprises receiving turn-on data and said step of using said output-timing data further comprises using said turn-on data to calculate a turn-on delay period corresponding to when said output should be generated.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 9 , further comprising receiving enable data from said controller.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
100 words
A method determining at least one output-timing parameter of at least one point-of-load (“POL”) regulator comprising: receiving output-timing data from a controller; storing said output-timing data in a POL storage device; generating an output of said at least one POL regulator; using said output-timing data to determine at least one timing parameter of said output; and receiving enable data from said controller; wherein said step of receiving output-timing data further comprises receiving sequencing data and said step of using said output-timing data further comprises using said sequencing data and said enable data to determine when said output should be generated.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
100 words
A method determining at least one output-timing parameter of at least one point-of-load (“POL”) regulator comprising: receiving output-timing data from a controller; storing said output-timing data in a POL storage device; generating an output of said at least one POL regulator; using said output-timing data to determine at least one timing parameter of said output; and receiving enable data from said controller; wherein said step of receiving output-timing data further comprises receiving sequencing data and said step of using said output-timing data further comprises using said sequencing data and said enable data to determine when said output should be generated.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
58 words
A method of determining at least one output timing parameter of at least one point-of-load (“POL”) regulator comprising: receiving slew-rate data from a controller; storing said slew-rate data in a POL storage device; receiving enable data from said controller; and using said slew-rate data to determine the slew-rate of an output of said at least one POL regulator.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
58 words
A method of determining at least one output timing parameter of at least one point-of-load (“POL”) regulator comprising: receiving slew-rate data from a controller; storing said slew-rate data in a POL storage device; receiving enable data from said controller; and using said slew-rate data to determine the slew-rate of an output of said at least one POL regulator.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of determining at least one output timing parameter of at least one point-of-load (“POL”) regulator comprising: receiving slew-rate data from a controller; storing said slew-rate data in a POL storage device; receiving enable data from said controller; using said slew-rate data to determine the slew-rate of an output of said at least one POL regulator; receiving sequencing data from said controller; storing said sequencing data in said POL storage device; and using said sequencing data to determine when said output is to be produced.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of determining at least one output timing parameter of at least one point-of-load (“POL”) regulator comprising: receiving slew-rate data from a controller; storing said slew-rate data in a POL storage device; receiving enable data from said controller; using said slew-rate data to determine the slew-rate of an output of said at least one POL regulator; receiving sequencing data from said controller; storing said sequencing data in said POL storage device; and using said sequencing data to determine when said output is to be produced.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein said step of using said sequencing data to determine when said output is to be provided further comprises waiting a period of time after said enable data has been received before said output is produced, said period of time being determined by said sequencing data.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of determining at least one output timing parameter of at least one point-of-load (“POL”) regulator comprising: receiving stew-rate data from a controller; storing said slew-rate data in a POL storage device; receiving enable data from said controller; using said slew-rate data to determine the slew-rate of an output of said at least one POL regulator; receiving turn-on data from said controller; storing said turn-on data in said POL storage device; and using at least said turn-on data and said slew-rate data to calculate a turn-on delay period corresponding to when said output is to be produced.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of determining at least one output timing parameter of at least one point-of-load (“POL”) regulator comprising: receiving stew-rate data from a controller; storing said slew-rate data in a POL storage device; receiving enable data from said controller; using said slew-rate data to determine the slew-rate of an output of said at least one POL regulator; receiving turn-on data from said controller; storing said turn-on data in said POL storage device; and using at least said turn-on data and said slew-rate data to calculate a turn-on delay period corresponding to when said output is to be produced.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
96 words
A method of determining at least one output timing parameter of at least one point-of-load (“POL”) regulator comprising: receiving slew-rate data from a controller; storing said slew-rate data in a POL storage device; receiving enable data from said controller; using said slew-rate data to determine the slew-rate of an output of said at least one POL regulator; receiving turn-off data from said controller; storing said turn-off data in said POL storage device; and using said turn-off data and said slew-rate data to calculate a turn-off delay period corresponding to when said output is to be terminate.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
96 words
A method of determining at least one output timing parameter of at least one point-of-load (“POL”) regulator comprising: receiving slew-rate data from a controller; storing said slew-rate data in a POL storage device; receiving enable data from said controller; using said slew-rate data to determine the slew-rate of an output of said at least one POL regulator; receiving turn-off data from said controller; storing said turn-off data in said POL storage device; and using said turn-off data and said slew-rate data to calculate a turn-off delay period corresponding to when said output is to be terminate.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
60 words
A point-of-load regulator comprising: a serial data bus interface; a storage device adapted to store output data received externally via said serial data bus interface; a control unit adapted to calculate at least one timing parameter based on said output data; and an output builder adapted to generate an output voltage in accordance with said at least one timing parameter.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
60 words
A point-of-load regulator comprising: a serial data bus interface; a storage device adapted to store output data received externally via said serial data bus interface; a control unit adapted to calculate at least one timing parameter based on said output data; and an output builder adapted to generate an output voltage in accordance with said at least one timing parameter.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
97 words
A point-of-load regulator comprising: a serial data bus interface; a storage device adapted to store output data received externally via said serial data bus interface; a control unit adapted to calculate at least one timing parameter based on said output data; and an output builder adapted to generate an output voltage in accordance with said at least one timing parameter; wherein said output data further comprises sequencing data and said control unit is further adapted to calculate a time when said output voltage is to be generated, said time being determined in accordance with said sequencing data.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
97 words
A point-of-load regulator comprising: a serial data bus interface; a storage device adapted to store output data received externally via said serial data bus interface; a control unit adapted to calculate at least one timing parameter based on said output data; and an output builder adapted to generate an output voltage in accordance with said at least one timing parameter; wherein said output data further comprises sequencing data and said control unit is further adapted to calculate a time when said output voltage is to be generated, said time being determined in accordance with said sequencing data.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
95 words
A point-of-load regulator comprising: a serial data bus interface; a storage device adapted to store output data received externally via said serial data bus interface; a control unit adapted to calculate at least one timing parameter based on said output data; and an output builder adapted to generate an output voltage in accordance with said at least one timing parameter; wherein said output data further comprises slew-rate data and said control unit is further adapted to determine a slew rate for said output voltage, said slew rate being determined in accordance with said slew-rate data.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
95 words
A point-of-load regulator comprising: a serial data bus interface; a storage device adapted to store output data received externally via said serial data bus interface; a control unit adapted to calculate at least one timing parameter based on said output data; and an output builder adapted to generate an output voltage in accordance with said at least one timing parameter; wherein said output data further comprises slew-rate data and said control unit is further adapted to determine a slew rate for said output voltage, said slew rate being determined in accordance with said slew-rate data.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
106 words
A point-of-load regulator comprising: a serial data bus interface; a storage device adapted to store output data received externally via said serial data bus interface; a control unit adapted to calculate at least one timing parameter based on said output data; and an output builder adapted to generate an output voltage in accordance with said at least one timing parameter; wherein said output data further comprises turn-off data and said control unit is further adapted to calculate a turn-off period of time that is to be waited before said control unit terminates said output, said turn-off data being used to calculate said turn-off period of time.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
106 words
A point-of-load regulator comprising: a serial data bus interface; a storage device adapted to store output data received externally via said serial data bus interface; a control unit adapted to calculate at least one timing parameter based on said output data; and an output builder adapted to generate an output voltage in accordance with said at least one timing parameter; wherein said output data further comprises turn-off data and said control unit is further adapted to calculate a turn-off period of time that is to be waited before said control unit terminates said output, said turn-off data being used to calculate said turn-off period of time.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
108 words
A point-of-load regulator comprising: a serial data bus interface; a storage device adapted to store output data received externally via said serial data bus interface; a control unit adapted to calculate at least one timing parameter based on said output data; and an output builder adapted to generate an output voltage in accordance with said at least one timing parameter; wherein said output data further comprises turn-on data and said control unit is further adapted to calculate a turn-on period of time that is to be waited before said control unit produces said output voltage, said turn on data being used to calculate said turn-on period of time.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
108 words
A point-of-load regulator comprising: a serial data bus interface; a storage device adapted to store output data received externally via said serial data bus interface; a control unit adapted to calculate at least one timing parameter based on said output data; and an output builder adapted to generate an output voltage in accordance with said at least one timing parameter; wherein said output data further comprises turn-on data and said control unit is further adapted to calculate a turn-on period of time that is to be waited before said control unit produces said output voltage, said turn on data being used to calculate said turn-on period of time.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
138 words
A point-of-load regulator comprising: a serial data bus interface; a storage device adapted to store output data received externally via said serial data bus interface; a control unit adapted to calculate at least one timing parameter based on said output data; and an output builder adapted to generate an output voltage in accordance with said at least one timing parameter; wherein said output data further comprises at least one of turn-on data providing a command to turn-on the corresponding POL regulator, voltage set-point data providing a desired output voltage of the corresponding POL regulator, slew-rate data providing a rate of change of output voltage of the corresponding POL regulator, sequencing data providing a delay period between execution of other functions by the corresponding POL regulator, and turn-off data providing a command to turn off the corresponding POL regulator.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
138 words
A point-of-load regulator comprising: a serial data bus interface; a storage device adapted to store output data received externally via said serial data bus interface; a control unit adapted to calculate at least one timing parameter based on said output data; and an output builder adapted to generate an output voltage in accordance with said at least one timing parameter; wherein said output data further comprises at least one of turn-on data providing a command to turn-on the corresponding POL regulator, voltage set-point data providing a desired output voltage of the corresponding POL regulator, slew-rate data providing a rate of change of output voltage of the corresponding POL regulator, sequencing data providing a delay period between execution of other functions by the corresponding POL regulator, and turn-off data providing a command to turn off the corresponding POL regulator.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
100 words
A point-of-load regulator comprising: a serial data bus interface; a storage device adapted to store output data received externally via said serial data bus interface; a control unit adapted to calculate at least one timing parameter based on said output data; and an output builder adapted to generate an output voltage in accordance with said at least one timing parameter; wherein said control unit is further adapted to determine a turn-on period to generate a desired output in accordance with at least one of said turn-on data, said sequencing data, said slew rate data, and said voltage set point data.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
100 words
A point-of-load regulator comprising: a serial data bus interface; a storage device adapted to store output data received externally via said serial data bus interface; a control unit adapted to calculate at least one timing parameter based on said output data; and an output builder adapted to generate an output voltage in accordance with said at least one timing parameter; wherein said control unit is further adapted to determine a turn-on period to generate a desired output in accordance with at least one of said turn-on data, said sequencing data, said slew rate data, and said voltage set point data.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
17 words
The point-of-load regulator of claim 27 , wherein said turn-on period is provided in said sequencing data.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
31 words
The point-of-load regulator of claim 27 , wherein said turn-on period is calculated by said control unit using said sequencing data, said slew rate data, and said voltage set point data.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
49 words
The point-of-load regulator of claim 26 , wherein said control unit is further adapted to determine a turn-off period of time to terminate a selected output in accordance with at least one of said turn-off data, said sequencing data, said slew rate data, and said voltage set point data.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
17 words
The point-of-load regulator of claim 30 , wherein said turn-off period is provided in said sequencing data.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
31 words
The point-of-load regulator of claim 30 , wherein said turn-off period is calculated by said control unit using said sequencing data, said slew rate data, and said voltage set point data.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
17 words
The point-of-load regulator of claim 21 , wherein said storage device further comprises at least one register.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
18 words
The power control system of claim 4 , wherein said turn-off period is provided in said sequencing data.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
32 words
The power control system of claim 4 , wherein said turn-off period is calculated by said control unit using said sequencing data, said slew rate data, and said voltage set point data.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2008-08-29 | 2009-02-28 | 2009-08-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
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| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-08-29 | 2017-02-28 | 2017-08-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |