Methods and apparatus to predictably change the output voltage of regulators
AssigneeMaxim Integrated Products, Inc.
InventorTunç Doluca
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Programmable voltage regulators that change from a first set-point voltage to a second set-point voltage at a controlled rate. The set-point signal is a multi-bit set-point signal with the rate of change in the regulator output between set-points being predetermined or externally controllable. Various embodiments are disclosed.
Claims52
A programmable regulator comprising:
- a counter having a first counter input coupled to a clock signal, and a counter output that counts toward a digital set-point;
- a converter having a digital input coupled to the counter output, and an analog output that produces a signal responsive to the digital input;
- and,
- a regulating device receiving the analog output and providing a regulator output voltage responsive to the analog output, the regulator output voltage determined by the digital set-point with a rate of change determined by a frequency of the clock signal.
A programmable regulator comprising:
- a digital to analog converter receiving a digital set-point signal and providing an analog output;
- an integrator integrating the analog output to produce an integrator output;
- and,
- a regulating device receiving the integrator output and providing a regulator output voltage responsive to the integrator output.
A method of controlling an output of a regulator comprising;
- counting a clock signal to produce a digital count that counts toward a digital set-point;
- converting the digital count to an analog signal;
- and,
- controlling a regulating device with the analog signal to adjust the output of the regulator to a steady state value determined by the digital set-point with a rate of change for the output determined by a frequency of the clock signal.
A method of controlling a programmable regulator comprising:
- providing a digital set-point signal;
- converting the digital set-point signal to an analog signal;
- limiting a rate of change of the analog signal;
- and
- controlling a regulating device responsive to the analog signal.
A method of controlling an output of a regulator comprising;
- providing a digital set-point value;
- comparing the digital set-point value to a digital count;
- incrementing the digital count if the digital count is less than the digital set-point value;
- decrementing the digital count if the digital count is more than the digital set-point value;
- controlling a regulating device with the digital count to adjust the output of the regulator to a steady state value determined by the digital set-point value with a rate of change for the output determined by a rate of change for the digital count.
A method of controlling a programmable regulator comprising:
- providing a digital set-point signal;
- converting the digital set-point signal to an analog signal;
- integrating the analog signal to produce a control signal;
- and,
- controlling a regulating device responsive to the control signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.