Dynamic hysteresis voltage regulation
AssigneeIntel Corporation
InventorsDon J. Nguyen, Thovane Solivan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A dynamic switching voltage regulator includes a load indicator, power switches, and a controller. The load indicator generates a load signal responsive to different output load conditions of the regulator. The controller receives the load signal and drives the power switches at a first switching frequency. The controller changes the switching frequency to a second frequency in response to a change in the load signal.
Claims19
A dynamic switching voltage regulator, comprising:
- a load indicator to generate a load signal responsive to different output load conditions of said regulator, where said load signal indicates level of an output voltage;
- at least one switch;
- and
- a controller configured to receive said load signal, said controller driving said at least one switch at a first switching frequency by adjusting hysteretic level of the output voltage when the output voltage reaches a first level, said controller changing the switching frequency to a second frequency by appropriately adjusting the hysteretic level of the output voltage when the output voltage reaches a second level, such that the change in the switching frequency optimizes quiescent power dissipation of the voltage regulator.
A variable ripple-mode switching regulator, comprising:
- a plurality of switches;
- a load indication circuit generating a load signal indicating an output load condition of the regulator;
- and
- a controller configured to adjust an operating switching frequency by varying an output ripple voltage level, said controller dynamically varying said ripple voltage level according to said load signal.
A method for controlling an operating switching frequency of switches in a voltage regulator, comprising:
- receiving an output load indication signal;
- and
- adjusting said operating switching frequency in response to a change in said output load indication signal, where said operating switching frequency is adjusted by appropriately varying the hysteresis level of an output voltage.
A computer program, residing on a computer readable medium, the program comprising executable instructions that enable the computer to:
- receive an output load indication signal;
- and
- adjust said operating switching frequency in response to a change in said output load indication signal, where said operating switching frequency is adjusted by appropriately varying the hysteresis level of an output voltage.
A computer system, comprising:
- an AC-to-DC converter receiving AC power, said converter converting AC power to DC power, and generating a DC voltage;
- a processor operating to generate an output load indication signal;
- and
- a dynamic ripple-mode voltage regulator having an operating switching frequency, said regulator configured to receive the DC voltage generated by said AC-to-DC converter, said regulator outputting a regulated DC voltage by dynamically changing said switching frequency, said switching frequency dynamically changed by appropriately adjusting a ripple level of an output voltage in response to an output load indication signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.