Peak current estimation based on output capacitor parameters and change of output voltage

A switching voltage regulator configured to estimate a load current provided to a load of the switching voltage regulator, the switching voltage regulator comprising:

• a power stage;
• an output for coupling to the load and for providing the load current;
• an output capacitor coupled to the output and having capacitor parameters comprising an output capacitance and an output capacitor equivalent series resistance (ESR);
• an inductor coupled between the power stage and the output, and having an inductor current;
• and
• a controller configured to:
• sense the inductor current;
• sense an output voltage at the output;
• determine a voltage change in the sensed output voltage;
• estimate a peak current of the load current based upon the sensed inductor current, the voltage change, and at least one of the capacitor parameters;
• calculate the estimated peak current based upon the inductor current, the voltage change, and the output capacitor ESR,
• wherein the controller is configured to calculate the estimated peak current by dividing the voltage change by the output capacitor ESR and adding a result of the division to the inductor current.

A method, within a switching voltage regulator, for estimating a load current provided to a load of the switching voltage regulator, the method comprising:

• sensing an inductor current of the switching voltage regulator;
• sensing an output voltage of the switching voltage regulator;
• determining a voltage change in the sensed output voltage;
• estimating a peak current of the load current based upon the inductor current, the voltage change, and a capacitor parameter of an output capacitor of the switching voltage regulator,
• wherein the capacitor parameter comprises an output capacitance;
• wherein estimating the peak current comprises calculating the peak current based upon the inductor current, the voltage change, a time interval over which the voltage change occurs, and the output capacitance,
• wherein estimating the peak current comprises dividing the voltage change by the time interval and multiplying a result of the division by the output capacitance.

A switching voltage regulator configured to estimate a load current provided to a load of the switching voltage regulator, the switching voltage regulator comprising:

• a power stage;
• an output for coupling to the load and for providing the load current;
• an output capacitor coupled to the output and having capacitor parameters comprising an output capacitance and an output capacitor equivalent series resistance (ESR);
• an inductor coupled between the power stage and the output, and having an inductor current;
• and
• a controller configured to:
• sense the inductor current;
• sense an output voltage at the output;
• determine a voltage change in the sensed output voltage;
• estimate a peak current of the load current based upon the sensed inductor current, the voltage change, and at least one of the capacitor parameters;
• calculate the estimated peak current based upon the inductor current, the voltage change, a time interval over which the voltage change occurs, and the output capacitance,
• wherein the controller is configured to calculate the estimated peak current by dividing the voltage change by the time interval and multiplying a result of the division by the output capacitance.