Power supply scheme for reduced power compensation
AssigneeInfineon Technologies AG
InventorsChristian Grewing, Stefan Heinrich van Waasen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A power control system is described that reuses current from segregated circuits of the mobile device. In some embodiments, the segregated circuits (or “sections”) can be “stacked” in series (with respect to the power supply) such that power is more efficiently used. The power can be more efficiently used by arranging a first section to reuse current that supplies power to a second section. A power control unit can be used to control regulators.
Claims15
A system for controlling power for a first section of circuitry and a second section of circuitry that are powered from a power supply terminal and a ground return terminal, the system comprising:
- a first regulator coupled between the power input terminal and an intermediate node, wherein the first section of circuitry is coupled between the power input terminal and the intermediate node;
- a second regulator coupled between the intermediate node and the ground return terminal, wherein the second section of circuitry is coupled between the intermediate node and the ground return terminal;
- and
- a power controller for controlling the first regulator in response to a first current flow signal provided by the first section of circuitry that indicates an amount of current flow in the first section of circuitry, and for controlling the second regulator in response to a second current flow signal provided by the second section of circuitry that indicates an amount of current flow in the second section of circuitry;
- wherein the power controller operates the first and second regulators such that an amount of current flow into the intermediate node is equivalent to an amount of current flow into the ground return terminal.
A system for controlling power for a first section of circuitry and a second section of circuitry that are powered from a supply terminal and a return terminal, comprising:
- a power control unit for evaluating a first signal provided by the first section of circuitry that indicates a magnitude of a first current that is drawn by the first section of circuitry, and for evaluating a second signal provided by the second section of circuitry that indicates a magnitude of a second current that is drawn by the second section of circuitry;
- a first regulator for providing a third current, whereby the third current is drawn by the second section of circuitry;
- a second regulator for providing a fourth current, whereby the fourth current is drawn by the return terminal;
- and
- wherein the power control unit is configured to control the first and second regulators, such that:
- when the first current is less than the second current the power control unit commands the first regulator to adjust the third current so that the sum of the third current and the first current equals the second current, and
- when the first current is greater than the second current the power control unit commands the second regulator to adjust the fourth current so that the sum of the fourth current and the second current equals the first current.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.