On-chip regulator with variable load compensation
AssigneeRambus Inc.
InventorsBrian S. Leibowitz, Michael D. Bucher, Lei Luo, Chaofeng Charlie Huang, Amir Amirkhany, Huy M. Nguyen, Hsuan-Jung (Bruce) Su, John Wilson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An integrated circuit includes a voltage regulator to supply a regulated voltage and a data output that couples to an unterminated transmission line. The circuit draws a variable amount of power from the voltage regulator according to the data. The voltage regulator includes a first current generation circuit to provide a data transition-dependent current.
Claims23
An integrated circuit comprising:
- a voltage regulator to supply a regulated voltage;
- a circuit to process data, the circuit drawing a variable amount of power from the voltage regulator according to the data;
- wherein the voltage regulator comprises
- a first current source to provide a calibrated, data-dependent current,
- a second current source to provide a supplemental current in dependence on a difference between the current required by the circuit and the calibrated, data-dependent current.
5-7. (canceled)
11-12. (canceled)
A method of providing a regulated voltage to a voltage node coupled to a variable load, the method comprising:
- in a calibration mode
- setting a calibrated current for supplying to the voltage node based on one or more known load parameters;
- and
- in an operating mode,
- predicting an increase in load current on the node;
- supplying the calibrated current into the node based on the predicting;
- and
- providing supplemental current to the node based on a difference between the calibrated current and an actual load current.
A transmitter integrated circuit comprising:
- a voltage regulator to supply a regulated voltage;
- a driver circuit to transmit data at a signal swing corresponding to the regulated voltage and a load current;
- wherein the voltage regulator comprises a source to supply a data dependent current to the driver circuit based on at least one calibration setting and wherein the voltage regulator further comprises a source of supplemental current to supply supplemental current to the driver circuit based on the difference between the actual load current and current needed by the driver circuit.
26-58. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.