US7373527B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for interleaving point-of-load regulators
Assignee: Pwer Bridge LLC
•
Filing: 2002-12-23
•
Granted: 2008-05-13
•
Expires: 2022-12-23
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for providing interleaving point-of-load (POL) regulators such that each regulator's switching cycle is phase displaced with respect to those of other POL regulators in the array is disclosed. As a result, the aggregate input and/or output reflected ripple and noise of the input, output, or both is reduced. Each regulator in the array is associated with an unique address. A serial data-line writes the phase spacing programmed to each addressable POL regulator in the array. The present invention permits phase displacement of POL regulators without limitation to the input and output voltages of each of the regulators in the array. The array of POL regulators may also operate in a phase displaced mode with only a single control line. The need for separate controllers and multiple control lines is thereby eliminated.
Inventors
- 👤 Alain Chapuis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 23:38
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02M; H02M3/00; H02M3/22; H02M3/24; H02M3/28; H02M3/285; H02J; H02J1/00; H02J1/08; H02J1/10; H02J1/102; H02M3/02; H02M3/04; H02M3/10; H02M3/145; H02M3/155; H02M3/156; H02M3/158; H02M3/1584
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 59
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
A power supply system comprising: a plurality of voltage regulators, wherein each voltage regulator is operable to provide a voltage output and is associated with an address; a master clock generator operable to generate a synchronization signal; an interface line operable to communicatively couple the voltage regulators in parallel and carry the synchronization signal to allow the voltage regulators to receive the synchronization signal; and a plurality of clock recovery circuits, wherein each clock recovery circuit is associated with a voltage regulator and wherein each clock recovery circuit is operable to generate a phase shifted trigger signal, wherein the phase shifted trigger signal is phase shifted with respect to the synchronization signal by a selected phase difference and synchronized to a selected frequency multiple of the synchronization signal based on the address of the associated voltage regulator such that a first switching cycle associated with a first voltage regulator may be phase displaced with respect to a second switching cycle associated with a second voltage regulator and a different frequency from the second switching cycle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
A power supply system comprising: a plurality of voltage regulators, wherein each voltage regulator is operable to provide a voltage output and is associated with an address; a master clock generator operable to generate a synchronization signal; an interface line operable to communicatively couple the voltage regulators in parallel and carry the synchronization signal to allow the voltage regulators to receive the synchronization signal; and a plurality of clock recovery circuits, wherein each clock recovery circuit is associated with a voltage regulator and wherein each clock recovery circuit is operable to generate a phase shifted trigger signal, wherein the phase shifted trigger signal is phase shifted with respect to the synchronization signal by a selected phase difference and synchronized to a selected frequency multiple of the synchronization signal based on the address of the associated voltage regulator such that a first switching cycle associated with a first voltage regulator may be phase displaced with respect to a second switching cycle associated with a second voltage regulator and a different frequency from the second switching cycle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The supply system of claim 1 , wherein a selected one of the plurality of voltage regulators further comprises the master clock generator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The supply system of claim 1 , wherein a selected one of the plurality of clock recovery circuits further comprises the master clock generator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The power supply system of claim 1 , further comprising a controller communicatively coupled to the interface line and operable to transmit data to the voltage regulators and set the selected phase difference for each voltage regulator via the interface line.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The power supply system of claim 4 wherein the controller is operable to set the selected phase difference to minimize system noise.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The power supply system of claim 5 , wherein the controller is operable to dynamically set the selected phase difference to minimize system noise in response to a change in a selected system parameter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The power supply system of claim 6 , wherein the selected system parameter is the number of enabled voltage regulators.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The power supply system of claim 1 , wherein the phase displacement and selected frequency multiple of each voltage regulator is selected based on the input voltage of the respective voltage regulator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The power supply system of claim 1 , wherein the phase displacement and selected frequency multiple of each voltage regulator is selected based on the output voltage of the respective voltage regulator.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
308 words
A power supply system comprising: a plurality of voltage regulators, wherein each voltage regulator is operable to provide a voltage output and is associated with an address; a master clock generator operable to generate a synchronization signal; an interface line operable to communicatively couple the voltage regulators in parallel and carry the synchronization signal to allow the voltage regulators to receive the synchronization signal; and a plurality of clock recovery circuits, wherein each clock recovery circuit is associated with a voltage regulator and wherein each clock recovery circuit is operable to generate a phase shifted trigger signal, wherein the phase shifted trigger signal is phase shifted with respect to the synchronization signal by a selected phase difference and synchronized to a selected frequency multiple of the synchronization signal based on the address of the associated voltage regulator such that a first switching cycle associated with a first voltage regulator may be phase displaced with respect to a second switching cycle associated with a second voltage regulator and a different frequency from the second switching cycle; wherein each voltage regulator further comprises: an input terminal, an output terminal and a return terminal, wherein the voltage regulator is operable to convert an input voltage between the input terminal and the return terminal into an output voltage between the return terminal and the output terminal; a power device; a memory operable to store the selected phase displacement; and an output voltage controller operable to receive the phase shifted trigger signal and transmit a pulse width modulated signal based on the phase shifted trigger signal to control the operation of the power device, wherein an associated one of the plurality of clock recovery circuits is operable to access the memory, receive the synchronization signal and transmit the phase shifted trigger signal to the pulse width modulator based on the selected phase displacement.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
308 words
A power supply system comprising: a plurality of voltage regulators, wherein each voltage regulator is operable to provide a voltage output and is associated with an address; a master clock generator operable to generate a synchronization signal; an interface line operable to communicatively couple the voltage regulators in parallel and carry the synchronization signal to allow the voltage regulators to receive the synchronization signal; and a plurality of clock recovery circuits, wherein each clock recovery circuit is associated with a voltage regulator and wherein each clock recovery circuit is operable to generate a phase shifted trigger signal, wherein the phase shifted trigger signal is phase shifted with respect to the synchronization signal by a selected phase difference and synchronized to a selected frequency multiple of the synchronization signal based on the address of the associated voltage regulator such that a first switching cycle associated with a first voltage regulator may be phase displaced with respect to a second switching cycle associated with a second voltage regulator and a different frequency from the second switching cycle; wherein each voltage regulator further comprises: an input terminal, an output terminal and a return terminal, wherein the voltage regulator is operable to convert an input voltage between the input terminal and the return terminal into an output voltage between the return terminal and the output terminal; a power device; a memory operable to store the selected phase displacement; and an output voltage controller operable to receive the phase shifted trigger signal and transmit a pulse width modulated signal based on the phase shifted trigger signal to control the operation of the power device, wherein an associated one of the plurality of clock recovery circuits is operable to access the memory, receive the synchronization signal and transmit the phase shifted trigger signal to the pulse width modulator based on the selected phase displacement.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The power supply system of claim 10 , wherein the voltage regulator further comprises a serial interface handler operable to decode data transmitted via the interface line and store the selected phase displacement in the memory.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The power supply system of claim 10 , wherein the output voltage controller further comprises a pulse width modulator operable to generate the pulse width modulated signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
The power supply system of claim 10 , wherein the clock recovery circuit comprises a ring oscillator operable to generate a delay bus associated with a plurality of delay bus signals, wherein the phase shifted trigger signal is based on the selected delay bus signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The power supply system of claim 13 , wherein the clock recovery circuit further comprises a multiplexer operable to select the delay bus signal based on the selected phase displacement stored in the memory.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The power supply system of claim 14 , wherein the memory is initialized with the address of the voltage regulator.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The power supply system of claim 1 , wherein the voltage regulator is a point-of-load (POL) regulator.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The power supply system of claim 1 , wherein the power supply system is operable to receive multiple independent voltage inputs.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The power supply system of claim 1 , wherein the power supply system further comprises a single multiple-phase voltage output.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The power supply system of claim 1 , wherein the voltage outputs of at least two voltage regulators are connected in parallel.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
48 words
The power supply system of claim 19 , wherein the power supply system further comprises a current share line communicatively coupled between at least two voltage regulators that are connected in parallel to thereby provide an equal load share between the voltage regulators that are connected in parallel.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
167 words
A voltage regulation module comprising: an input terminal adapted to receive an input voltage, at least one power switching device operatively coupled between said input terminal and an output filter, said at least one power switching device successively applying said input voltage to said output filter, and an output terminal coupled to said output filter to provide an output voltage therefrom; a pulse width modulator operatively coupled to said at least one power switching device to regulate a switching pulse width of said at least one power switching device responsive to said output voltage; a serial data interface adapted to receive serial data; and a clock recovery circuit coupled to said serial data interface and providing a phase shifted trigger signal to said pulse width modulator in response to said serial data, said phase shifted trigger signal thereby phase displacing a switching cycle of said at least one power switching device with respect to a corresponding switching cycle associated with at least one other voltage regulation module.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
167 words
A voltage regulation module comprising: an input terminal adapted to receive an input voltage, at least one power switching device operatively coupled between said input terminal and an output filter, said at least one power switching device successively applying said input voltage to said output filter, and an output terminal coupled to said output filter to provide an output voltage therefrom; a pulse width modulator operatively coupled to said at least one power switching device to regulate a switching pulse width of said at least one power switching device responsive to said output voltage; a serial data interface adapted to receive serial data; and a clock recovery circuit coupled to said serial data interface and providing a phase shifted trigger signal to said pulse width modulator in response to said serial data, said phase shifted trigger signal thereby phase displacing a switching cycle of said at least one power switching device with respect to a corresponding switching cycle associated with at least one other voltage regulation module.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
39 words
The voltage regulation module of claim 21 , wherein said clock recovery circuit further comprises a master clock generator adapted to provide a synchronization signal to said at least one other voltage regulation module through said serial data interface.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
46 words
The voltage regulation module of claim 21 , wherein said clock recovery circuit further comprises a clock generator adapted to provide in conjunction with a corresponding clock generator of said at least one other voltage regulation module a common synchronization signal on said serial data interface.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
39 words
The voltage regulation module of claim 22 , wherein the phase shifted trigger signal is phase shifted with respect to said synchronization signal by a selected phase difference and synchronized to a selected frequency multiple of said synchronization signal.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
The voltage regulation module of claim 21 , wherein said serial data further comprises an address identifying said voltage regulation module.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
20 words
The voltage regulation module of claim 25 , wherein said clock recovery circuit determines phase displacement data from said address.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
The voltage regulation module of claim 21 , wherein said serial data further comprises phase displacement data for said voltage regulator.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
202 words
A voltage regulation module comprising: an input terminal adapted to receive an input voltage, at least one power switching device operatively coupled between said input terminal and an output filter, said at least one power switching device successively applying said input voltage to said output filter, and an output terminal coupled to said output filter to provide an output voltage therefrom; a pulse width modulator operatively coupled to said at least one power switching device to regulate a switching pulse width of said at least one power switching device responsive to said output voltage; a serial data interface adapted to receive serial data; a clock recovery circuit coupled to said serial data interface and providing a phase shifted trigger signal to said pulse width modulator in response to said serial data, said phase shifted trigger signal thereby phase displacing a switching cycle of said at least one power switching device with respect to a corresponding switching cycle associated with at least one other voltage regulation module, wherein said serial data further comprises phase displacement data for said voltage regulation module; and a memory operatively coupled to said serial data interface and said clock recovery circuit, said memory storing said phase displacement data.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
202 words
A voltage regulation module comprising: an input terminal adapted to receive an input voltage, at least one power switching device operatively coupled between said input terminal and an output filter, said at least one power switching device successively applying said input voltage to said output filter, and an output terminal coupled to said output filter to provide an output voltage therefrom; a pulse width modulator operatively coupled to said at least one power switching device to regulate a switching pulse width of said at least one power switching device responsive to said output voltage; a serial data interface adapted to receive serial data; a clock recovery circuit coupled to said serial data interface and providing a phase shifted trigger signal to said pulse width modulator in response to said serial data, said phase shifted trigger signal thereby phase displacing a switching cycle of said at least one power switching device with respect to a corresponding switching cycle associated with at least one other voltage regulation module, wherein said serial data further comprises phase displacement data for said voltage regulation module; and a memory operatively coupled to said serial data interface and said clock recovery circuit, said memory storing said phase displacement data.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
32 words
The voltage regulation module of claim 21 , further comprising a current share interface adapted to communicate with a corresponding current share interface of said at least one other voltage regulation module.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
204 words
A voltage regulation module comprising: an input terminal adapted to receive an input voltage, at least one power switching device operatively coupled between said input terminal and an output filter, said at least one power switching device successively applying said input voltage to said output filter, and an output terminal coupled to said output filter to provide an output voltage therefrom; a pulse width modulator operatively coupled to said at least one power switching device to regulate a switching pulse width of said at least one power switching device responsive to said output voltage; a serial data interface adapted to receive serial data; and a clock recovery circuit coupled to said serial data interface and providing a phase shifted trigger signal to said pulse width modulator in response to said serial data, said phase shifted trigger signal thereby phase displacing a switching cycle of said at least one power switching device with respect to a corresponding switching cycle associated with at least one other voltage regulation module; wherein said clock recovery circuit comprises a ring oscillator operable to generate a plurality of delay bus signals, wherein said phase shifted trigger signal is based on a selected one of said plurality of delay bus signals.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
204 words
A voltage regulation module comprising: an input terminal adapted to receive an input voltage, at least one power switching device operatively coupled between said input terminal and an output filter, said at least one power switching device successively applying said input voltage to said output filter, and an output terminal coupled to said output filter to provide an output voltage therefrom; a pulse width modulator operatively coupled to said at least one power switching device to regulate a switching pulse width of said at least one power switching device responsive to said output voltage; a serial data interface adapted to receive serial data; and a clock recovery circuit coupled to said serial data interface and providing a phase shifted trigger signal to said pulse width modulator in response to said serial data, said phase shifted trigger signal thereby phase displacing a switching cycle of said at least one power switching device with respect to a corresponding switching cycle associated with at least one other voltage regulation module; wherein said clock recovery circuit comprises a ring oscillator operable to generate a plurality of delay bus signals, wherein said phase shifted trigger signal is based on a selected one of said plurality of delay bus signals.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
28 words
The voltage regulation module of claim 30 , wherein said clock recovery circuit further comprises a multiplexer operable to select one of said plurality of delay bus signals.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
177 words
A voltage regulation module comprising: an input terminal adapted to receive an input voltage, at least one power switching device operatively coupled between said input terminal and an output filter, said at least one power switching device successively applying said input voltage to said output filter, and an output terminal coupled to said output filter to provide an output voltage therefrom; a pulse width modulator operatively coupled to said at least one power switching device to regulate a switching pulse width of said at least one power switching device responsive to said output voltage; a serial data interface adapted to receive serial data; a clock recovery circuit coupled to said serial data interface and providing a phase shifted trigger signal to said pulse width modulator in response to said serial data, said phase shifted trigger signal thereby phase displacing a switching cycle of said at least one power switching device with respect to a corresponding switching cycle associated with at least one other voltage regulation module; and a memory storing an address of the voltage regulation module.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
177 words
A voltage regulation module comprising: an input terminal adapted to receive an input voltage, at least one power switching device operatively coupled between said input terminal and an output filter, said at least one power switching device successively applying said input voltage to said output filter, and an output terminal coupled to said output filter to provide an output voltage therefrom; a pulse width modulator operatively coupled to said at least one power switching device to regulate a switching pulse width of said at least one power switching device responsive to said output voltage; a serial data interface adapted to receive serial data; a clock recovery circuit coupled to said serial data interface and providing a phase shifted trigger signal to said pulse width modulator in response to said serial data, said phase shifted trigger signal thereby phase displacing a switching cycle of said at least one power switching device with respect to a corresponding switching cycle associated with at least one other voltage regulation module; and a memory storing an address of the voltage regulation module.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
196 words
A power supply system comprising: a plurality of voltage regulation modules, with each module including: an input terminal adapted to receive an input voltage, at least one power switching device operatively coupled between said input terminal and an output filter, said at least one power switching device successively applying said input voltage to said output filter, and an output terminal coupled to said output filter to provide an output voltage therefrom; a pulse width modulator operatively coupled to said at least one power switching device to regulate a switching pulse width of said at least one power switching device responsive to said output voltage; a serial data interface adapted to receive serial data; and a clock recovery circuit coupled to said serial data interface and providing a phase shifted trigger signal to said pulse width modulator in response to said serial data, said phase shifted trigger signal thereby phase displacing a switching cycle of said at least one power switching device with respect to a corresponding switching cycle associated with at least one other voltage regulation module; and a serial data bus coupled to each said serial data interface of said plurality of voltage regulation modules.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
196 words
A power supply system comprising: a plurality of voltage regulation modules, with each module including: an input terminal adapted to receive an input voltage, at least one power switching device operatively coupled between said input terminal and an output filter, said at least one power switching device successively applying said input voltage to said output filter, and an output terminal coupled to said output filter to provide an output voltage therefrom; a pulse width modulator operatively coupled to said at least one power switching device to regulate a switching pulse width of said at least one power switching device responsive to said output voltage; a serial data interface adapted to receive serial data; and a clock recovery circuit coupled to said serial data interface and providing a phase shifted trigger signal to said pulse width modulator in response to said serial data, said phase shifted trigger signal thereby phase displacing a switching cycle of said at least one power switching device with respect to a corresponding switching cycle associated with at least one other voltage regulation module; and a serial data bus coupled to each said serial data interface of said plurality of voltage regulation modules.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
41 words
The power supply system of claim 33 , wherein each said clock recovery circuit further comprises a master clock generator adapted to provide a synchronization signal onto said serial data bus to other ones of said plurality of voltage regulation modules.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
48 words
The power supply system of claim 33 , wherein each said clock recovery circuit further comprises a clock generator adapted to provide in conjunction with a corresponding clock generator of other ones of said plurality of voltage regulation modules a common synchronization signal on said serial data bus.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
39 words
The power supply system of claim 34 , wherein the phase shifted trigger signal is phase shifted with respect to said synchronization signal by a selected phase difference and synchronized to a selected frequency multiple of said synchronization signal.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
33 words
The power supply system of claim 33 , further comprising a master clock generator operable to generate a synchronization signal provided to said plurality of voltage regulation modules via said serial data bus.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
47 words
The power supply system of claim 33 , wherein a selected one of said plurality of voltage regulation modules further comprises a master clock generator operable to generate a synchronization signal provided to other ones of said plurality of voltage regulation modules via said serial data bus.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
27 words
The power supply system of claim 33 , wherein said serial data further comprises addresses associated with each respective one of said plurality of voltage regulation modules.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
25 words
The power supply system of claim 39 , wherein each said clock recovery circuit determines phase displacement data from a corresponding one of said addresses.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
28 words
The power supply system of claim 33 , wherein said serial data further comprises phase displacement data for a corresponding one of said plurality of voltage regulation modules.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
41 words
The power supply system of claim 41 , wherein each one of said plurality of voltage regulation modules further comprises a memory operatively coupled to said serial data interface and said clock recovery circuit, said memory storing said phase displacement data.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
43 words
The power supply system of claim 33 , wherein each one of said plurality of voltage regulation modules further comprises a current share interface adapted to communicate with a corresponding current share interface of another one of said plurality of voltage regulation modules.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
234 words
A power supply system comprising: a plurality of voltage regulation modules, with each module including: an input terminal adapted to receive an input voltage, at least one power switching device operatively coupled between said input terminal and an output filter, said at least one power switching device successively applying said input voltage to said output filter, and an output terminal coupled to said output filter to provide an output voltage therefrom; a pulse width modulator operatively coupled to said at least one power switching device to regulate a switching pulse width of said at least one power switching device responsive to said output voltage; a serial data interface adapted to receive serial data; and a clock recovery circuit coupled to said serial data interface and providing a phase shifted trigger signal to said pulse width modulator in response to said serial data, said phase shifted trigger signal thereby phase displacing a switching cycle of said at least one power switching device with respect to a corresponding switching cycle associated with at least one other voltage regulation module; and a serial data bus coupled to each said serial data interface of said plurality of voltage regulation modules; wherein each said clock recovery circuit comprises a ring oscillator operable to generate a plurality of delay bus signals, wherein said phase shifted trigger signal is based on a selected one of said plurality of delay bus signals.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
234 words
A power supply system comprising: a plurality of voltage regulation modules, with each module including: an input terminal adapted to receive an input voltage, at least one power switching device operatively coupled between said input terminal and an output filter, said at least one power switching device successively applying said input voltage to said output filter, and an output terminal coupled to said output filter to provide an output voltage therefrom; a pulse width modulator operatively coupled to said at least one power switching device to regulate a switching pulse width of said at least one power switching device responsive to said output voltage; a serial data interface adapted to receive serial data; and a clock recovery circuit coupled to said serial data interface and providing a phase shifted trigger signal to said pulse width modulator in response to said serial data, said phase shifted trigger signal thereby phase displacing a switching cycle of said at least one power switching device with respect to a corresponding switching cycle associated with at least one other voltage regulation module; and a serial data bus coupled to each said serial data interface of said plurality of voltage regulation modules; wherein each said clock recovery circuit comprises a ring oscillator operable to generate a plurality of delay bus signals, wherein said phase shifted trigger signal is based on a selected one of said plurality of delay bus signals.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
29 words
The power supply system of claim 44 , wherein each said clock recovery circuit further comprises a multiplexer operable to select one of said plurality of delay bus signals.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
207 words
A power supply system comprising: a plurality of voltage regulation modules, with each module including: an input terminal adapted to receive an input voltage, at least one power switching device operatively coupled between said input terminal and an output filter, said at least one power switching device successively applying said input voltage to said output filter, and an output terminal coupled to said output filter to provide an output voltage therefrom; a pulse width modulator operatively coupled to said at least one power switching device to regulate a switching pulse width of said at least one power switching device responsive to said output voltage; a serial data interface adapted to receive serial data; a clock recovery circuit coupled to said serial data interface and providing a phase shifted trigger signal to said pulse width modulator in response to said serial data, said phase shifted trigger signal thereby phase displacing a switching cycle of said at least one power switching device with respect to a corresponding switching cycle associated with at least one other voltage regulation module; and a memory storing an address of the respective voltage regulation module; and a serial data bus coupled to each said serial data interface of said plurality of voltage regulation modules.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
207 words
A power supply system comprising: a plurality of voltage regulation modules, with each module including: an input terminal adapted to receive an input voltage, at least one power switching device operatively coupled between said input terminal and an output filter, said at least one power switching device successively applying said input voltage to said output filter, and an output terminal coupled to said output filter to provide an output voltage therefrom; a pulse width modulator operatively coupled to said at least one power switching device to regulate a switching pulse width of said at least one power switching device responsive to said output voltage; a serial data interface adapted to receive serial data; a clock recovery circuit coupled to said serial data interface and providing a phase shifted trigger signal to said pulse width modulator in response to said serial data, said phase shifted trigger signal thereby phase displacing a switching cycle of said at least one power switching device with respect to a corresponding switching cycle associated with at least one other voltage regulation module; and a memory storing an address of the respective voltage regulation module; and a serial data bus coupled to each said serial data interface of said plurality of voltage regulation modules.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
49 words
The power supply system of claim 33 , further comprising a controller communicatively coupled to said serial data bus and operable to transmit said serial data to said plurality of voltage regulation modules to set a respective phase displacement for each one of said plurality of voltage regulation modules.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
23 words
The power supply system of claim 47 , wherein said controller is operable to set the respective phase displacement to minimize system noise.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
34 words
The power supply system of claim 48 , wherein said controller is operable to dynamically set the respective phase displacement to minimize system noise in response to a change in a selected system parameter.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
26 words
The power supply system of claim 49 , wherein said selected system parameter comprises a number of enabled ones of said plurally of voltage regulation modules.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US429581A
Cited
US3660672A
Cited
US4204249A
Cited
US4194147A
Cited
US4328429A
Cited
US4335445A
Cited
US4350943A
Cited
US4451773A
Cited
US4538101A
Cited
US4538073A
Cited
US4622627A
Cited
US4677566A
Cited
US4654769A
Cited
US4616142A
Cited
US4630187A
Cited
US4761725A
Cited
EP0315366A2
Cited
US5168208A
Cited
US4988942A
Cited
US5053920A
Cited
US4940930A
Cited
US5004972A
Cited
US5287055A
Cited
US5270904A
Cited
RU1814177C
Cited
US5073848A
Cited
US5117430A
Cited
US5079498A
Cited
US6115441A
Cited
US5272614A
Cited
US5229699A
Cited
US5481140A
Cited
WO1993019415A1
Cited
US5377090A
Cited
US5349523A
Cited
US5994885A
Cited
US6304066B1
Cited
US5489904A
Cited
EP0660487B1
Cited
US6121760A
Cited
US5532577A
Cited
US5627460A
Cited
US6157182A
Cited
US5727208A
Cited
US5752047A
Cited
US5646509A
Cited
US5631550A
Cited
US5675480A
Cited
US5943227A
Cited
US5815018A
Cited
US5874912A
Cited
US5929620A
Cited
US5847950A
Cited
US5889392A
Cited
US5892933A
Cited
US5872984A
Cited
US5946495A
Cited
EP0875994B1
Cited
US5905370A
Cited
US5883797A
Cited
US5917719A
Cited
US5935252A
Cited
US6170062B1
Cited
US5870296A
Cited
US6079026A
Cited
US5990669A
Cited
US6163143A
Cited
US6194883B1
Cited
US6911808B1
Cited
US6262900B1
Cited
US6199130B1
Cited
US5929618A
Cited
US6055163A
Cited
US6177787B1
Cited
US6304823B1
Cited
US6590369B2
Cited
US6853169B2
Cited
US6100676A
Cited
US6198261B1
Cited
EP0997825A2
Cited
US6351108B1
Cited
US6181029B1
Cited
US6163178A
Cited
US6021059A
Cited
US6556158B2
Cited
US6137280A
Cited
US6456044B1
Cited
US6355990B1
Cited
US6111396A
Cited
US6288595B1
Cited
US6057607A
Cited
US6191566B1
Cited
WO2001022585A1
Cited
US6157093A
Cited
US6211579B1
Cited
US6392577B1
Cited
US6465993B1
Cited
US6208127B1
Cited
US20010033152A1
Cited
US6429630B2
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2011-05-13 | 2011-11-12 | 2012-05-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2015-05-13 | 2015-11-12 | 2016-05-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2019-05-13 | 2019-11-12 | 2020-05-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |