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Dynamic multiphase operation
Assignee: Marvell International Ltd
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Filing: 2003-09-04
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Granted: 2007-09-04
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Expires: 2023-09-04
Abstract
Abstract A control system for controlling a multiphase output regulator having a regulated DC output and operating at a switching frequency. The multiphase output regulator including at least two switch arrays to generate individually controllable output phases that combine to form the regulated DC output. The control system comprising a digital controller operable at a sampling frequency greater than the switching frequency. The digital controller responsive to a sense signal corresponding to the regulated output, to generate array duty cycle signals to control each of the switch arrays. The digital controller to control the array duty cycle signals at the sampling frequency and to dynamically set a phase interval between each of the output phases.
Inventors
- 👤 Sehat Sutardja
- 👤 Runsheng He
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 20:56
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02M; H02M3/00; H02M3/02; H02M3/04; H02M3/10; H02M3/145; H02M3/155; H02M3/156; H02M3/158; H02M3/1584; H02M3/157
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 116
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A control system for controlling a multiphase output regulator having a regulated DC output and operating at a switching frequency, the multiphase output regulator including at least two switch arrays to generate individually controllable output phases from an input source, the output phases to combine to form the regulated DC output, the control system comprising: a digital controller operable at a sampling frequency, responsive to a sense signal corresponding to the regulated output, to determine a quantity N of output phases to generate, and to generate drive signals to control each of the switch arrays to generate the output phases, the digital controller to control the drive signals at the sampling frequency and to dynamically set a phase interval between each of the output phases, wherein the digital controller is adapted to selectively set to phase interval to one of greater than 360/N of less than 360/N, where N is an integer greater than 1.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
A control system for controlling a multiphase output regulator having a regulated DC output and operating at a switching frequency, the multiphase output regulator including at least two switch arrays to generate individually controllable output phases from an input source, the output phases to combine to form the regulated DC output, the control system comprising: a digital controller operable at a sampling frequency, responsive to a sense signal corresponding to the regulated output, to determine a quantity N of output phases to generate, and to generate drive signals to control each of the switch arrays to generate the output phases, the digital controller to control the drive signals at the sampling frequency and to dynamically set a phase interval between each of the output phases, wherein the digital controller is adapted to selectively set to phase interval to one of greater than 360/N of less than 360/N, where N is an integer greater than 1.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The control system of claim 1 wherein the digital controller includes; a duty cycle controller to determine a duty cycle of the drive signals; and a switch controller to generate the drive signals as a function of the duty cycle and the phase interval.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The control system of claim 1 wherein the digital controller controls a quantity of the switch arrays to enable based on a regulator criteria.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
The control system of claim 3 wherein the regulator criteria is selected from a group consisting of output current, power switch current for any of the switch arrays, output inductor current, output voltage, output ripple voltage, input voltage, noise generation, power consumption in discrete components, power consumption in circuits, power consumption in the multiphase output regulator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The control system of claim 1 wherein the digital controller determines a quantity of the switch arrays to enable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The control system of claim 1 wherein the multiphase output regulator further includes output filters corresponding to each of the switch arrays to filter the output phases; and wherein the digital controller to control the switch arrays during turn-on to initialize current flowing through the output filters.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The control system of claim 1 wherein the sampling frequency is greater than the switching frequency.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The control system of claim 1 wherein the drive signals have a pulse width and the sampling frequency has a corresponding clock period; and the digital controller is operable to dither the drive signals to stretch the pulse width by fractional portions of the clock period.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
154 words
A multiphase output regulator for generating a regulated DC output, comprising: at least two switch arrays to operate at a switching frequency to generate individually controllable output phases from an input source, the output phases to combine to form the regulated DC output; an output filter to filter the output phases; and a digital controller operable at a sampling frequency, responsive to a sense signal corresponding to the regulated output, to determine a quantity of N output phases to generate, and to generate drive signals to control each of the switch arrays to generate the output phases, the digital controller to control the array duty cycle signals at the sampling frequency and to dynamically set a phase interval between each of the output phases, wherein the digital controller is adapted to selectively set the phase interval to one of greater than 360/N or less than 360/N, wherein N is an integer greater than 1.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
154 words
A multiphase output regulator for generating a regulated DC output, comprising: at least two switch arrays to operate at a switching frequency to generate individually controllable output phases from an input source, the output phases to combine to form the regulated DC output; an output filter to filter the output phases; and a digital controller operable at a sampling frequency, responsive to a sense signal corresponding to the regulated output, to determine a quantity of N output phases to generate, and to generate drive signals to control each of the switch arrays to generate the output phases, the digital controller to control the array duty cycle signals at the sampling frequency and to dynamically set a phase interval between each of the output phases, wherein the digital controller is adapted to selectively set the phase interval to one of greater than 360/N or less than 360/N, wherein N is an integer greater than 1.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
The multiphase output regulator of claim 9 wherein the digital controller includes; a duty cycle controller to determine a duty cycle; and a switch controller to generate the drive signals as a function of the duty cycle and the phase interval.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The multiphase output regulator of claim 9 wherein the digital controller controls a quantity of the switch arrays to enable based on a regulator criteria.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
57 words
The multiphase output regulator of claim 11 wherein the regulator criteria is selected from a group consisting of output current, power switch current for any of the switch arrays, output inductor current, output voltage, output ripple voltage, input voltage, noise generation, power consumption in discrete components, power consumption in circuits, power consumption in the multiphase output regulator.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The multiphase output regulator of claim 9 wherein the digital controller determines a quantity of the switch arrays to enable.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
48 words
The multiphase output regulator of claim 9 wherein the multiphase output regulator further includes output filters corresponding to each of the switch arrays to filter the output phases; and wherein the digital controller to control the switch arrays during turn-on to initialize current flowing through the output filters.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The multiphase output regulator of claim 9 wherein the sampling frequency is greater than the switching frequency.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
47 words
The multiphase output regulator of claim 9 wherein the drive signals have a pulse width and the sampling frequency has a corresponding clock period; and the digital controller is operable to dither the drive signals to stretch the pulse width by fractional portions of the clock period.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The multiphase output regulator of claim 9 wherein the regulated output is selected from a group consisting of output voltage, output current, and output power.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The multiphase output regulator of claim 9 wherein the digital controller includes a control mode selected from the group consisting of voltage mode and current mode.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
The multiphase output regulator of claim 9 wherein each of the switch arrays includes at least two power switches to convert power from the input source to one of the output phases.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
45 words
The multiphase output regulator of claim 9 wherein each of the switch arrays includes a current sense circuit to sense a current flowing through the switch array; and wherein the drive signals are controlled as a function of the current flowing through the switch arrays.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The multiphase output regulator of claim 9 wherein the output filter includes output filters corresponding to each of the switch arrays.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
160 words
A control system for controlling a multiphase output regulator having a regulated DC output and operating at a switching frequency, the multiphase output regulator including at least two switch arrays to generate individually controllable output phases from an input source, the output phases to combine to form the regulated DC output, the control system comprising: means for digital controlling operable at a sampling frequency and responsive to a sense signal corresponding to the regulated output to determine a quantity of N output phases to generate, the digital controlling means, at the sampling frequency, to generate and to control drive signals for the switch arrays and to dynamically set a phase interval between each of the drive signals so that the output phases have a dynamically controlled phase interval, wherein the means for digital controlling is adapted to selectively set the phase interval to one of greater than 360/N or less than 360/N, where N is an integer greater than 1.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
160 words
A control system for controlling a multiphase output regulator having a regulated DC output and operating at a switching frequency, the multiphase output regulator including at least two switch arrays to generate individually controllable output phases from an input source, the output phases to combine to form the regulated DC output, the control system comprising: means for digital controlling operable at a sampling frequency and responsive to a sense signal corresponding to the regulated output to determine a quantity of N output phases to generate, the digital controlling means, at the sampling frequency, to generate and to control drive signals for the switch arrays and to dynamically set a phase interval between each of the drive signals so that the output phases have a dynamically controlled phase interval, wherein the means for digital controlling is adapted to selectively set the phase interval to one of greater than 360/N or less than 360/N, where N is an integer greater than 1.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
47 words
The control system of claim 22 wherein the digital controlling means includes; means for duty cycle controlling to determine a duty cycle of the drive signals; and means for switch controlling to generate the drive signals as a function of the duty cycle and the phase interval.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
The control system of claim 22 wherein the digital controlling means controls a quantity of the switch arrays to enable based on a regulator criteria.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
56 words
The control system of claim 24 wherein the regulator criteria is selected from a group consisting of output current, power switch current for any of the switch arrays, output inductor current, output voltage, output ripple voltage, input voltage, noise generation, power consumption in discrete components, power consumption in circuits, power consumption in the multiphase output regulator.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
20 words
The control system of claim 22 wherein the digital controlling means determines a quantity of the switch arrays to enable.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
43 words
The control system of claim 22 further comprising output filters corresponding to each of the switch arrays to filter the output phases; and wherein the digital controlling means to control the switch arrays during turn-on to initialize current flowing through the output filters.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
The control system of claim 22 wherein the sampling frequency is greater than the switching frequency.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
47 words
The control system of claim 22 wherein the drive signals have a pulse width and the sampling frequency has a corresponding clock period; and the digital controlling means is operable to dither the drive signals to stretch the pulse width by fractional portions of the clock period.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
157 words
A multiphase output regulator for generating a regulated DC output, comprising: at least two switch arrays to operate at a switching frequency to generate individually controllable output phases from an input source, the output phases to combine to form the regulated DC output; an output filter to filter the output phases; and means for digital controlling operable at a sampling frequency and responsive to a sense signal corresponding to the regulated output to determine a quantity N of output phases to generate, the digital controlling means, at the sampling frequency, to generate and to control drive signals for the switch arrays and to dynamically set a phase interval between each of the drive signals so that the output phases have a dynamically controlled phase interval, wherein the means for digital controlling is adapted to selectively set the phase interval to one of greater than 360/N or less than 360/N, where N is an integer greater than 1.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
157 words
A multiphase output regulator for generating a regulated DC output, comprising: at least two switch arrays to operate at a switching frequency to generate individually controllable output phases from an input source, the output phases to combine to form the regulated DC output; an output filter to filter the output phases; and means for digital controlling operable at a sampling frequency and responsive to a sense signal corresponding to the regulated output to determine a quantity N of output phases to generate, the digital controlling means, at the sampling frequency, to generate and to control drive signals for the switch arrays and to dynamically set a phase interval between each of the drive signals so that the output phases have a dynamically controlled phase interval, wherein the means for digital controlling is adapted to selectively set the phase interval to one of greater than 360/N or less than 360/N, where N is an integer greater than 1.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
44 words
The multiphase output regulator of claim 30 wherein the digital controlling means includes; means for duty cycle controlling to determine a duty cycle; and means for switch controlling to generate the drive signals as a function of the duty cycle and the phase interval.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
26 words
The multiphase output regulator of claim 30 wherein the digital controlling means controls a quantity of the switch arrays to enable based on a regulator criteria.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
57 words
The multiphase output regulator of claim 32 wherein the regulator criteria is selected from a group consisting of output current, power switch current for any of the switch arrays, output inductor current, output voltage, output ripple voltage, input voltage, noise generation, power consumption in discrete components, power consumption in circuits, power consumption in the multiphase output regulator.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
21 words
The multiphase output regulator of claim 30 wherein the digital controlling means determines a quantity of the switch arrays to enable.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
44 words
The multiphase output regulator of claim 30 further comprising output filters corresponding to each of the switch arrays to filter the output phases; and wherein the digital controlling means to control the switch arrays during turn-on to initialize current flowing through the output filters.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
17 words
The multiphase output regulator of claim 30 wherein the sampling frequency is greater than the switching frequency.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
48 words
The multiphase output regulator of claim 30 wherein the drive signals have a pulse width and the sampling frequency has a corresponding clock period; and the digital controlling means is operable to dither the drive signals to stretch the pulse width by fractional portions of the clock period.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
25 words
The multiphase output regulator of claim 30 wherein the regulated output is selected from a group consisting of output voltage, output current, and output power.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
27 words
The multiphase output regulator of claim 30 wherein the digital controlling means includes a control mode selected from the group consisting of voltage mode and current mode.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
32 words
The multiphase output regulator of claim 30 wherein each of the switch arrays includes at least two power switches to convert power from the input source to one of the output phases.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
48 words
The multiphase output regulator of claim 30 wherein each of the switch arrays includes a current sense circuit to sense a current flowing through the switch array; and wherein the digital controlling means controls the drive signals as a function of the current flowing through the switch arrays.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
21 words
The multiphase output regulator of claim 30 wherein the output filter includes output filters corresponding to each of the switch arrays.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for controlling a multiphase output regulator having a regulated DC output and operating at a switching frequency, the multiphase output regulator including at least two switch arrays to generate individually controllable output phases from an input source, the output phases to combine to form the regulated DC output, the method comprising: operating a digital controller at a sampling frequency; receiving a sense signal corresponding to the regulated output; based on the sense signal, determining a quantity N of output phases to generate; generating drive signals to control the switch arrays; controlling the drive signals; dynamically setting a phase interval between each of the drive signals so that the output phases have a dynamically controlled phase interval; and selectively setting the phase interval to one of greater than 360/N or less than 360/N, where N is an integer greater than 1 .
Claim 48
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for controlling a multiphase output regulator having a regulated DC output and operating at a switching frequency, the multiphase output regulator including at least two switch arrays to generate individually controllable output phases from an input source, the output phases to combine to form the regulated DC output, the method comprising: operating a digital controller at a sampling frequency; receiving a sense signal corresponding to the regulated output; based on the sense signal, determining a quantity N of output phases to generate; generating drive signals to control the switch arrays; controlling the drive signals; dynamically setting a phase interval between each of the drive signals so that the output phases have a dynamically controlled phase interval; and selectively setting the phase interval to one of greater than 360/N or less than 360/N, where N is an integer greater than 1 .
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 43 further comprising determining a duty cycle of the drive signals; and generating the drive signals as a function of the duty cycle and the phase interval.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 43 further comprising controlling a quantity of the switch arrays to enable based on a regulator criteria.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 45 wherein the regulator criteria is selected from a group consisting of output current, power switch current for any of the switch arrays, output inductor current, output voltage, output ripple voltage, input voltage, noise generation, power consumption in discrete components, power consumption in circuits, power consumption in the multiphase output regulator.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 43 further comprising determining a quantity of the switch arrays to enable.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 43 further comprising providing output filters corresponding to each of the switch arrays to filter the output phases; and controlling the switch arrays during turn-on to initialize current flowing through the output filters.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 43 wherein the sampling frequency is greater than the switching frequency.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 43 wherein the drive signals have a pulse width and the sampling frequency has a corresponding clock period; and dithering the drive signals to stretch the pulse width by fractional portions of the clock period.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
141 words
A method for generating a regulated DC output, comprising: providing at least two switch arrays to operate at a switching frequency to generate individually controllable output phases from an input source, the output phases to combine to form the regulated DC output; providing an output filter to filter the output phases; and operating a digital controller at a sampling frequency; receiving a sense signal corresponding to the regulated output; based on the sense signal, determining a quantity N of output phases to generate; generating drive signals to control the switch arrays; controlling the drive signals; dynamically setting a phase interval between each of the drive signals so that the output phases have a dynamically controlled phase interval; and selectively setting the phase interval to one of greater than 360/N or less than 360/N, where N is an integer greater than 1.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
141 words
A method for generating a regulated DC output, comprising: providing at least two switch arrays to operate at a switching frequency to generate individually controllable output phases from an input source, the output phases to combine to form the regulated DC output; providing an output filter to filter the output phases; and operating a digital controller at a sampling frequency; receiving a sense signal corresponding to the regulated output; based on the sense signal, determining a quantity N of output phases to generate; generating drive signals to control the switch arrays; controlling the drive signals; dynamically setting a phase interval between each of the drive signals so that the output phases have a dynamically controlled phase interval; and selectively setting the phase interval to one of greater than 360/N or less than 360/N, where N is an integer greater than 1.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 51 further comprising determining a duty cycle; and generating the drive signals as a function of the duty cycle and the phase interval.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 51 further comprising controlling a quantity of the switch arrays to enable based on a regulator criteria.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 53 wherein the regulator criteria is selected from a group consisting of output current, power switch current for any of the switch arrays, output inductor current, output voltage, output ripple voltage, input voltage, noise generation, power consumption in discrete components, power consumption in circuits, power consumption in the multiphase output regulator.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 51 determining a quantity of the switch arrays to enable.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 51 further comprising providing output filters corresponding to each of the switch arrays to filter the output phases; and controlling the switch arrays during turn-on to initialize current flowing through the output filters.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 51 wherein the sampling frequency is greater than the switching frequency.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 51 wherein the drive signals have a pulse width and the sampling frequency has a corresponding clock period; and dithering the drive signals to stretch the pulse width by fractional portions of the clock period.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 51 wherein the regulated output is selected from a group consisting of output voltage, output current, and output power.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 51 further comprising sensing a current flowing through the switch array; and controlling the drive signals as a function of the current flowing through the switch arrays.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 51 wherein providing the output filter includes providing output filters corresponding to each of the switch arrays.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
185 words
A control system for controlling a multiphase output regulator having a regulated DC output and operating at a switching frequency, the multiphase output regulator including at least two switch arrays to generate individually controllable output phases from an input source, the output phases to combine to form the regulated DC output, the control system comprising: a controller, responsive to a sense signal corresponding to the regulated output, to determine a quantity N of output phases to generate, and to generate drive signals to control each of the switch arrays to generate the output phases, the drive signals including pulses having leading edges and trailing edges; and the controller to control one of the leading edges and the trailing edges of the drive signals to dynamically set a phase interval between each of the output phases, and to control the other of the leading edges and trailing edges of the drive signals to regulate the regulated output, wherein the controller is adapted to selectively set the phase interval to one of greater than 360/N or less than 360/N, where N is an integer greater than 1.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
185 words
A control system for controlling a multiphase output regulator having a regulated DC output and operating at a switching frequency, the multiphase output regulator including at least two switch arrays to generate individually controllable output phases from an input source, the output phases to combine to form the regulated DC output, the control system comprising: a controller, responsive to a sense signal corresponding to the regulated output, to determine a quantity N of output phases to generate, and to generate drive signals to control each of the switch arrays to generate the output phases, the drive signals including pulses having leading edges and trailing edges; and the controller to control one of the leading edges and the trailing edges of the drive signals to dynamically set a phase interval between each of the output phases, and to control the other of the leading edges and trailing edges of the drive signals to regulate the regulated output, wherein the controller is adapted to selectively set the phase interval to one of greater than 360/N or less than 360/N, where N is an integer greater than 1.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
43 words
The control system of claim 62 wherein the controller includes; a duty cycle controller to determine a duty cycle of the drive signals; and a switch controller to generate the drive signals as a function of the duty cycle and the phase interval.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
23 words
The control system of claim 62 wherein the controller controls a quantity of the switch arrays to enable based on a regulator criteria.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
56 words
The control system of claim 64 wherein the regulator criteria is selected from a group consisting of output current, powder switch current for any of the switch arrays, output inductor current, output voltage, output ripple voltage, input voltage, noise generation, power consumption in discrete components, power consumption in circuits, power consumption in the multiphase output regulator.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
18 words
The control system of claim 62 wherein the controller determines a quantity of the switch arrays to enable.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
46 words
The control system of claim 62 wherein the multiphase output regulator further includes output filters corresponding to each of the switch arrays to filter the output phases; and wherein the controller to control the switch arrays during turn-on to initialize current flowing through the output filters.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
182 words
A multiphase output regulator for generating a regulated DC output, comprising: at least two switch arrays to operate at a switching frequency to generate individually controllable output phases from an input source, the output phases to combine to form the regulated DC output; an output filter to filter the output phases; and a controller, responsive to a sense signal corresponding to the regulated output, to determine a quantity N of output phases to generate, and to generate drive signals to control each of the switch arrays to generate the output phases, the drive signals including pulses having leading edges and trailing edges; and the controller to control one of the leading edges and the trailing edges of the drive signals to dynamically set a phase interval between each of the output phases, and to control the other of the leading edges and trailing edges of the drive signals to regulate the regulated output, wherein the controller is adapted to selectively set the phase interval to one of greater than 360/N or less than 360/N, where N is a integer greater than 1.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
182 words
A multiphase output regulator for generating a regulated DC output, comprising: at least two switch arrays to operate at a switching frequency to generate individually controllable output phases from an input source, the output phases to combine to form the regulated DC output; an output filter to filter the output phases; and a controller, responsive to a sense signal corresponding to the regulated output, to determine a quantity N of output phases to generate, and to generate drive signals to control each of the switch arrays to generate the output phases, the drive signals including pulses having leading edges and trailing edges; and the controller to control one of the leading edges and the trailing edges of the drive signals to dynamically set a phase interval between each of the output phases, and to control the other of the leading edges and trailing edges of the drive signals to regulate the regulated output, wherein the controller is adapted to selectively set the phase interval to one of greater than 360/N or less than 360/N, where N is a integer greater than 1.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
40 words
The multiphase output regulator of claim 68 wherein the controller includes; a duty cycle controller to determine a duty cycle; and a switch controller to generate the drive signals as a function of the duty cycle and the phase interval.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
24 words
The multiphase output regulator of claim 68 wherein the controller controls a quantity of the switch arrays to enable based on a regulator criteria.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
57 words
The multiphase output regulator of claim 70 wherein the regulator criteria is selected from a group consisting of output current, power switch current for any of the switch arrays, output inductor current, output voltage, output ripple voltage, input voltage, noise generation, power consumption in discrete components, power consumption in circuits, power consumption in the multiphase output regulator.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
19 words
The multiphase output regulator of claim 68 wherein the controller determines a quantity of the switch arrays to enable.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
47 words
The multiphase output regulator of claim 68 wherein the multiphase output regulator further includes output filters corresponding to each of the switch arrays to filter the output phases; and wherein the controller to control the switch arrays during turn-on to initialize current flowing through the output filters.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
25 words
The multiphase output regulator of claim 68 wherein the regulated output is selected from a group consisting of output voltage, output current, and output power.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
45 words
The multiphase output regulator of claim 68 wherein each of the switch arrays includes a current sense circuit to sense a current flowing through the switch array; and wherein the drive signals are controlled as a function of the current flowing through the switch arrays.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
192 words
A control system for controlling a multiphase output regulator having a regulated DC output and operating at a switching frequency, the multiphase output regulator including at least two switch arrays to generate individually controllable output phases from an input source, the output phases to combine to form the regulated DC output, the control system comprising: means for output controlling, responsive to a sense signal corresponding to the regulated output, to determine a quantity N of output phases to generate, and to generate drive signals to control each of the switch arrays to generate the output phases, the drive signals including pulses having leading edges and trailing edges; and the output controlling means to control one of the leading edges and the trailing edges of the drive signals to dynamically set a phase interval between each of the output phases, and to control the other of the leading edges and trailing edges of the drive signals to regulate the regulated output, wherein the means for digital controlling is adapted to selectively set the phase interval to one of greater than 360/N or less than 360/N, where N is an integer greater than 1.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
192 words
A control system for controlling a multiphase output regulator having a regulated DC output and operating at a switching frequency, the multiphase output regulator including at least two switch arrays to generate individually controllable output phases from an input source, the output phases to combine to form the regulated DC output, the control system comprising: means for output controlling, responsive to a sense signal corresponding to the regulated output, to determine a quantity N of output phases to generate, and to generate drive signals to control each of the switch arrays to generate the output phases, the drive signals including pulses having leading edges and trailing edges; and the output controlling means to control one of the leading edges and the trailing edges of the drive signals to dynamically set a phase interval between each of the output phases, and to control the other of the leading edges and trailing edges of the drive signals to regulate the regulated output, wherein the means for digital controlling is adapted to selectively set the phase interval to one of greater than 360/N or less than 360/N, where N is an integer greater than 1.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
47 words
The control system of claim 76 wherein the output controlling means includes; means for duty cycle controlling to determine a duty cycle of the drive signals; and means for switch controlling to generate the drive signals as a function of the duty cycle and the phase interval.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
25 words
The control system of claim 76 wherein the output controlling means controls a quantity of the switch arrays to enable based on a regulator criteria.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
56 words
The control system of claim 78 wherein the regulator criteria is selected from a group consisting of output current, power switch current for any of the switch arrays, output inductor current, output voltage, output ripple voltage, input voltage, noise generation, power consumption in discrete components, power consumption in circuits, power consumption in the multiphase output regulator.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
20 words
The control system of claim 76 wherein the output controlling means determines a quantity of the switch arrays to enable.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
49 words
The control system of claim 76 wherein the multiphase output regulator further includes means for filtering corresponding to each of the switch arrays to filter the output phases; and wherein the output controlling means to control the switch arrays during turn-on to initialize current flowing through the filtering means.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
189 words
A multiphase output regulator for generating a regulated DC output, comprising: at least two switch arrays to operate at a switching frequency to generate individually controllable output phases from an input source, the output phases to combine to form the regulated DC output; means for filtering to filter the output phases; and means for output controlling, responsive to a sense signal corresponding to the regulated output, to determine a quantity N of output phases to generate, and to generate drive signals to control each of the switch arrays to generate the output phases, the drive signals including pulses having leading edges and trailing edges; and the output controlling means to control one of the leading edges and the trailing edges of the drive signals to dynamically set a phase interval between each of the output phases, and to control the other of the leading edges and trailing edges of the drive signals to regulate the regulated output, wherein the means for output controlling is adapted to selectively set the phase interval to one of greater than 360/N or less than 360/N, where N is an integer greater than 1.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
189 words
A multiphase output regulator for generating a regulated DC output, comprising: at least two switch arrays to operate at a switching frequency to generate individually controllable output phases from an input source, the output phases to combine to form the regulated DC output; means for filtering to filter the output phases; and means for output controlling, responsive to a sense signal corresponding to the regulated output, to determine a quantity N of output phases to generate, and to generate drive signals to control each of the switch arrays to generate the output phases, the drive signals including pulses having leading edges and trailing edges; and the output controlling means to control one of the leading edges and the trailing edges of the drive signals to dynamically set a phase interval between each of the output phases, and to control the other of the leading edges and trailing edges of the drive signals to regulate the regulated output, wherein the means for output controlling is adapted to selectively set the phase interval to one of greater than 360/N or less than 360/N, where N is an integer greater than 1.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
44 words
The multiphase output regulator of claim 82 wherein the output controlling means includes; means for duty cycle controlling to determine a duty cycle; and means for switch controlling to generate the drive signals as a function of the duty cycle and the phase interval.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
27 words
The multiphase output regulator of claim 82 wherein the output controlling means to control a quantity of the switch arrays to enable based on a regulator criteria.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
57 words
The multiphase output regulator of claim 84 wherein the regulator criteria is selected from a group consisting of output current, power switch current for any of the switch arrays, output inductor current, output voltage, output ripple voltage, input voltage, noise generation, power consumption in discrete components, power consumption in circuits, power consumption in the multiphase output regulator.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
22 words
The multiphase output regulator of claim 82 wherein the output controlling means to determine a quantity of the switch arrays to enable.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
49 words
The multiphase output regulator of claim 82 wherein the multiphase output regulator further includes output filters corresponding to each of the switch arrays to filter the output phases; and wherein the output controlling means to control the switch arrays during turn-on to initialize current flowing through the output filters.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
25 words
The multiphase output regulator of claim 82 wherein the regulated output is selected from a group consisting of output voltage, output current, and output power.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
46 words
The multiphase output regulator of claim 82 wherein each of the switch arrays includes a means for sensing current to sense a current flowing through the switch array; and wherein the drive signals are controlled as a function of the current flowing through the switch arrays.
Claim 100
Independent Claim
172 words
A method for controlling a multiphase output regulator having a regulated DC output and operating at a switching frequency, the multiphase output regulator including at least two switch arrays to generate individually controllable output phases from an input source, the output phases to combine to form the regulated DC output, the method comprising: receiving a sense signal corresponding to the regulated output; based on the sense signal, determining a quantity N of output phases to generate; generating drive signals to control the switch arrays, the drive signals including pulses having leading edges and trailing edges; controlling a one of the leading and trailing edges of the drive signals to set a phase interval between each of the drive signals so that the output phases have a dynamically controlled phase interval; controlling the other of the leading and trailing edges of the drive signals to regulate the regulated DC output; selectively setting the phase interval to one of greater than 360/N or less than 360/N, where N is an integer greater than 1.
Claim 101
Independent Claim
172 words
A method for controlling a multiphase output regulator having a regulated DC output and operating at a switching frequency, the multiphase output regulator including at least two switch arrays to generate individually controllable output phases from an input source, the output phases to combine to form the regulated DC output, the method comprising: receiving a sense signal corresponding to the regulated output; based on the sense signal, determining a quantity N of output phases to generate; generating drive signals to control the switch arrays, the drive signals including pulses having leading edges and trailing edges; controlling a one of the leading and trailing edges of the drive signals to set a phase interval between each of the drive signals so that the output phases have a dynamically controlled phase interval; controlling the other of the leading and trailing edges of the drive signals to regulate the regulated DC output; selectively setting the phase interval to one of greater than 360/N or less than 360/N, where N is an integer greater than 1.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 90 further comprising determining a duty cycle of the drive signals; and generating the drive signals as a function of the duty cycle and the phase interval.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 90 further comprising controlling a quantity of the switch arrays to enable based on a regulator criteria.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 92 wherein the regulator criteria is selected from a group consisting of output current, power switch current for any of the switch arrays, output inductor current, output voltage, output ripple voltage, input voltage, noise generation, power consumption in discrete components, power consumption in circuits, power consumption in the multiphase output regulator.
Claim 105
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 90 further comprising determining a quantity of the switch arrays to enable.
Claim 106
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 90 further comprising providing output filters corresponding to each of the switch arrays to filter the output phases; and controlling the switch arrays during turn-on to initialize current flowing through the output filters.
Claim 107
Independent Claim
175 words
A method for generating a regulated DC output, comprising: providing at least two switch arrays to operate at a switching frequency to generate individually controllable output phases from an input source, the output phases to combine to form the regulated DC output; providing an output filter to filter the output phases; receiving a sense signal corresponding to the regulated output; based on the sense signal, determining a quantity N of output phases to generate; generating drive signals to control the switch arrays, the drive signals including pulses having leading edges and trailing edges; controlling the drive signals; controlling a one of the leading and trailing edges of the drive signals to set a phase interval between each of the drive signals so that the output phases have a dynamically controlled phase interval; controlling the other of the leading and trailing edges of the drive signals to regulate the regulated DC output; and selectively setting the phase interval to one of greater than 360/N or less than 360/N, where N is a integer greater than 1.
Claim 108
Independent Claim
175 words
A method for generating a regulated DC output, comprising: providing at least two switch arrays to operate at a switching frequency to generate individually controllable output phases from an input source, the output phases to combine to form the regulated DC output; providing an output filter to filter the output phases; receiving a sense signal corresponding to the regulated output; based on the sense signal, determining a quantity N of output phases to generate; generating drive signals to control the switch arrays, the drive signals including pulses having leading edges and trailing edges; controlling the drive signals; controlling a one of the leading and trailing edges of the drive signals to set a phase interval between each of the drive signals so that the output phases have a dynamically controlled phase interval; controlling the other of the leading and trailing edges of the drive signals to regulate the regulated DC output; and selectively setting the phase interval to one of greater than 360/N or less than 360/N, where N is a integer greater than 1.
Claim 109
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 96 further comprising determining a duty cycle; and generating the drive signals as a function of the duty cycle and the phase interval.
Claim 110
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 96 further comprising controlling a quantity of the switch arrays to enable based on a regulator criteria.
Claim 111
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 98 wherein the regulator criteria is selected from a group consisting of output current, power switch current for any of the switch arrays, output inductor current, output voltage, output ripple voltage, input voltage, noise generation, power consumption in discrete components, power consumption in circuits, power consumption in the multiphase output regulator.
Claim 112
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 96 determining a quantity of the switch arrays to enable.
Claim 113
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 96 further comprising providing output filters corresponding to each of the switch arrays to filter the output phases; and controlling the switch arrays during turn-on to initialize current flowing through the output filters.
Claim 114
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 96 wherein the regulated output is selected from a group consisting of output voltage, output current, and output power.
Claim 115
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 96 further comprising sensing a current flowing through the switch array; and controlling the drive signals as a function of the current flowing through the switch arrays.
Claim 116
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 96 wherein providing the output filter includes providing output filters corresponding to each of the switch arrays.
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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) | 2010-09-03 | 2011-03-05 | 2011-09-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2014-09-03 | 2015-03-05 | 2015-09-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2018-09-03 | 2019-03-05 | 2019-09-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |