US7049798B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for communicating with a voltage regulator
Assignee: Pwer Bridge LLC
•
Filing: 2002-11-13
•
Granted: 2006-05-23
•
Expires: 2022-11-13
Abstract
Abstract A system and method is provided for using a point-on-load (“POL”) control unit to program and/or monitor a POL regulator. Specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, a power supply controller is adapted to provide initial-configuration data to at least one POL regulator. A POL control unit (located within the POL regulator) then stores at least a portion of the initial-configuration data in a storage device and uses at least a portion of the initial-configuration data to produce an output. The POL control unit is further adapted to store fault-monitoring data in the storage device and provide at least a portion of the fault-monitoring data to the controller. If the provided portion violates a known parameter, the controller (or POL control unit) may respond by perform a particular action (e.g., disable the POL regulator, etc.). In another embodiment of the present invention, the POL regulator further includes at least one sensor circuit adapted to produce fault monitoring data, or data that can be used to determine the fault-monitoring data. In another embodiment of the invention, the initial-configuration data and the fault-monitoring data are transmitted over a serial data bus.
Inventors
- 👤 Alain Chapuis
- 👤 Mahesh N. Thaker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 07:25
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02J; H02J13/00; H02J1/00; H02J1/08; H02J1/082; G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/26; H02J13/12; H04; H04L; H04L1/00; H04L1/22; H02M; H02M1/00; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y04; Y04S; Y04S10/00; Y04S10/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 53
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A power control system comprising: a power supply controller adapted to provide initial-configuration data and receive fault-monitoring data; a serial data bus connected to said power supply controller to communicate said initial configuration data and fault-monitoring data; and at least one point-of-load (“POL”) regulator connected to said data bus, adapted to produce an output in accordance with at least a portion of said initial-configuration data, said at least one POL regulator comprising: a storage device adapted to store said initial-configuration data and said fault-monitoring data; and a control unit adapted to provide at least a portion of said fault-monitoring data to said power supply controller.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
A power control system comprising: a power supply controller adapted to provide initial-configuration data and receive fault-monitoring data; a serial data bus connected to said power supply controller to communicate said initial configuration data and fault-monitoring data; and at least one point-of-load (“POL”) regulator connected to said data bus, adapted to produce an output in accordance with at least a portion of said initial-configuration data, said at least one POL regulator comprising: a storage device adapted to store said initial-configuration data and said fault-monitoring data; and a control unit adapted to provide at least a portion of said fault-monitoring data to said power supply controller.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The power control system of claim 1 , wherein said at least one POL regulator further comprises at least one sensor circuit for detecting information corresponding to said fault-monitoring data.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The power control system of claim 1 , wherein said initial-configuration data includes at least output-voltage-set-point data corresponding to a desired voltage level of said output.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The power control system of claim 1 , wherein said initial-configuration data includes at least output-current-set-point data corresponding to a desired maximum current level of said output.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The power control system of claim 1 , wherein said initial-configuration data includes at least low-voltage-limit data corresponding to a lowest desired voltage level of said output.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The power control system of claim 1 , wherein said initial-configuration data includes at least high-voltage-limit data corresponding to a highest desired voltage level of said output.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The power control system of claim 1 , wherein said initial-configuration data includes at least output-voltage-slew-rate data corresponding to a desired slew rate of said output.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The power control system of claim 1 , wherein said initial-configuration data includes at least enable/disable data.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The power control system of claim 1 , wherein said initial-configuration data includes at least timing data.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The power control system of claim 1 , wherein said fault-monitoring data includes at least output-voltage data that is based upon a measured voltage level of said output.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The power control system of claim 10 , wherein said output-voltage data corresponds to said measured voltage level of said output.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The power control system of claim 10 , wherein said output-voltage data corresponds to a comparison of said measured voltage level of said output and a known voltage value.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The power control system of claim 1 , wherein said fault-monitoring data includes at least output-current data that is based upon a measured current level of said output.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The power control system of claim 13 , wherein said output-current data corresponds to said measured current level of said output.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The power control system of claim 13 , wherein said output-current data corresponds to a comparison of said measured current level of said output and a known current value.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The power control system of claim 1 , wherein said fault-monitoring data includes at least temperature-status data that is based upon a measured temperature level of said at least one point-of-load regulator.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The power control system of claim 16 , wherein said temperature-status data corresponds to said measured temperature level of said at least one point-of-load regulator.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The power control system of claim 16 , wherein said temperature-status data corresponds to a comparison of said measured temperature level of said at least one point-of-load regulator and a known temperature value.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The power control system of claim 1 , wherein said data bus further comprises a bi-directional, single-wire serial data bus adapted to transmit said initial-configuration data and said fault-monitoring data synchronously.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
The power control system of claim 1 , wherein said data bus further comprises a bi-directional, dual-wire serial data bus adapted to transmit said initial-configuration data and said fault-monitoring data asynchronously.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The power control system of claim 19 , wherein said data bus further provides power to said at least one POL regulator.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
The power control system of claim 20 , wherein at least a portion of said data bus further provides power to said at least one POL regulator.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
35 words
The power control system of claim 1 , wherein said initial-configuration data includes at least sequencing data, said data bus being allocated to said at least one POL regulator in accordance with said sequencing data.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of controlling at least one point-of-load (“POL”) regulator comprising: receiving initial-configuration data from a controller via a serial data bus; storing at least a portion of said initial-configuration data in a POL storage device; using at least a portion of said initial-configuration data to determine at least one output-parameter of an output of said at least one POL regulator; generating said output; storing fault-monitoring data in said POL storage device; providing at least a portion of said fault-monitoring data to said controller via said serial data bus; and using said at least a portion of said fault-monitoring data to monitor at least one POL-parameter of said at least one POL regulator.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of controlling at least one point-of-load (“POL”) regulator comprising: receiving initial-configuration data from a controller via a serial data bus; storing at least a portion of said initial-configuration data in a POL storage device; using at least a portion of said initial-configuration data to determine at least one output-parameter of an output of said at least one POL regulator; generating said output; storing fault-monitoring data in said POL storage device; providing at least a portion of said fault-monitoring data to said controller via said serial data bus; and using said at least a portion of said fault-monitoring data to monitor at least one POL-parameter of said at least one POL regulator.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 24 , further comprising detecting said fault-monitoring data before said fault-monitoring data is stored in said POL storage device.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 24 , wherein said initial-configuration data includes at least enable data, and said step of generating said output further comprises generating said output in response to receiving said enable data.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 24 , wherein said step of providing at least a portion of said fault-monitoring data to said controller is performed in response to receiving a request for said at least a portion of said fault-monitoring data.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 24 , wherein said step of providing at least a portion of said fault-monitoring data to said controller is performed independent of a request for said at least a portion of said fault-monitoring data.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 28 , wherein said step of providing at least a portion of said fault-monitoring data to said controller is performed if said at least a portion of said fault-monitoring data changes.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 28 , wherein said step of providing at least a portion of said fault-monitoring data to said controller is performed if said at least one POL-parameter violates a known parameter.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 30 , further comprising said at least one POL regulator disabling itself if said at least one POL parameter violates said known parameter, and said step of providing at least a portion of said fault-monitoring data to said controller further comprises providing data indicating that said at least one POL regulator has been disabled to said controller.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 24 , wherein said initial-configuration data includes output-voltage-set-point data, and said step of using said at least a portion of said initial-configuration data further includes using said output-voltage-set-point data to determine the voltage level of said output of said at least one POL regulator.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 24 , wherein said initial-configuration data includes output-voltage-slew-rate data, and said step of using said at least a portion of said initial-configuration data further includes using said output-voltage-slew-rate data to determine the slew rate of said output of said at least one POL regulator.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 24 , wherein said initial-configuration data includes timing data, and said step of using said at least a portion of said initial-configuration data further includes using said timing data to determine when said at least one POL regulator is to perform a particular action.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 24 , wherein said fault-monitoring data includes actual-output-voltage data, and said step of using said at least a portion of said fault-monitoring data further includes using said actual-output-voltage data to monitor the output voltage level of said at least one POL regulator.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 24 , wherein said fault-monitoring data includes voltage-comparison data, and said step of using said at least a portion of said fault-monitoring data further includes using said voltage-comparison data to monitor the output voltage level of said at least one POL regulator in relation to a known parameter.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 24 , wherein said fault-monitoring data includes actual-output-current data, and said step of using said at least a portion of said fault-monitoring data further includes using said actual-output-current data to monitor the output current level of said at least one POL regulator.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 24 , wherein said fault-monitoring data includes current-comparison data, and said step of using said at least a portion of said fault-monitoring data further includes using said current-comparison data to monitor the output current level of said at least one POL regulator in relation to a known parameter.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 24 , wherein said fault-monitoring data includes actual-temperature data, and said step of using said at least a portion of said fault-monitoring data further includes using said actual-temperature data to monitor the temperature of said at least one POL regulator.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 24 , wherein said fault-monitoring data includes temperature-comparison data, and said step of using said at least a portion of said fault-monitoring data further includes using said temperature-comparison data to monitor the temperature of said at least one POL regulator in relation to a known parameter.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 24 , further comprising providing unique ID data corresponding to said at least one POL regulator to said controller.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 24 , further comprising performing a particular action if said at least a portion of said fault-monitoring data violates a known parameter.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 24 , wherein said step of performing a particular action further comprises disabling said at least one POL regulator if said at least a portion of said fault-monitoring data violates a known parameter.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of controlling at least one point-of-load (“POL”) regulator comprising: storing fault-monitoring data in a storage device; sending a request for at least a portion of said fault-monitoring data; providing said at least a portion of said fault-monitoring data in response to receiving said request; using said at least a portion of said fault-monitoring data to monitor at least one parameter of said at least one POL regulator; and disabling said at least one POL regulator if said at least one parameter violates a known parameter.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of controlling at least one point-of-load (“POL”) regulator comprising: storing fault-monitoring data in a storage device; sending a request for at least a portion of said fault-monitoring data; providing said at least a portion of said fault-monitoring data in response to receiving said request; using said at least a portion of said fault-monitoring data to monitor at least one parameter of said at least one POL regulator; and disabling said at least one POL regulator if said at least one parameter violates a known parameter.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 44 , wherein said at least a portion of said fault-monitoring data includes actual-output-voltage data, and said step of using said at least a portion of said fault-monitoring data further includes using said actual-output-voltage data to monitor the output voltage level of said at least one POL regulator.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 44 , wherein said at least a portion of said fault-monitoring data includes voltage-comparison data, and said step of using said at least a portion of said fault-monitoring data further includes using said voltage-comparison data to monitor the output voltage level of said at least one POL regulator in relation to a known parameter.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 45 , wherein said at least a portion of said fault-monitoring data includes actual-output-current data, and said step of using said at least a portion of said fault-monitoring data further includes using said actual-output-current data to monitor the output current level of said at least one POL regulator.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 44 , wherein said at least a portion of said fault-monitoring data includes current-comparison data, and said step of using said at least a portion of said fault-monitoring data further includes using said current-comparison data to monitor the output current level of said at least one POL regulator in relation to a known parameter.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 44 , wherein said at least a portion of said fault-monitoring data includes actual-temperature data, and said step of using said at least a portion of said fault-monitoring data further includes using said actual-temperature data to monitor the temperature of said at least one POL regulator.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 44 , wherein said at least a portion of said fault-monitoring data includes temperature-comparison data, and said step of using said at least a portion of said fault-monitoring data further includes using said temperature-comparison data to monitor the temperature of said at least one POL regulator in relation to a known parameter.
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2009-05-22 | 2009-11-21 | 2010-05-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2013-05-22 | 2013-11-21 | 2014-05-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2017-05-22 | 2017-11-21 | 2018-05-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |