DCDC converter with converter modules that can be dynamically enabled or disabled

An apparatus comprising:

• a Direct Current to Direct Current ‘DCDC’ converter having a plurality of converter modules each configured to convert current at a first voltage level to another voltage form;
• wherein the converter modules are configured to be dynamically enabled or disabled such that only each converter module that has been enabled converts current for an output of the DCDC converter;
• wherein the apparatus further comprises a selector configured to dynamically enable or disable the converter modules based on loading conditions of at least one circuit being powered by the DCDC converter;
• wherein the selector is configured to dynamically enable or disable the converter modules by enabling converter modules as load increases and disabling converter modules as load decreases;
• wherein the selector is configured for determining on an ongoing basis an estimated total power usage for the at least one circuit being powered by the DCDC converter, determining which converter module(s) to enable and which converter module(s) to disable based on the estimated total power usage, and dynamically enabling or disabling the converter modules accordingly;
• wherein the selector is configured for determining the estimated total power usage by:
• maintaining a look-up table identifying, for each of the at least one circuit, power usage as a function of operation of the circuit;
• for each of the at least one circuit, determining an operating state and a resulting power usage according to the look-up table;
• and
• determining the estimated total power usage as a sum of all resulting power usages determined using the look-up table.

A method for execution in an apparatus comprising a Direct Current to Direct Current ‘DCDC’ converter having a plurality of converter modules each configured to convert current at a first voltage level to another voltage form, the method comprising:

• determining on an ongoing basis an estimated total power usage for at least one circuit being powered by the DCDC converter;
• determining which converter module(s) to enable and which converter module(s) to disable based on the estimated total power usage;
• and
• dynamically enabling or disabling the converter modules accordingly;
• wherein determining the estimated power usage comprises:
• maintaining a look-up table identifying, for each of the at least one circuit, power usage as a function of operation of the circuit;
• for each of the at least one circuit, determining an operating state and a resulting power usage according to the look-up table;
• and
• determining the estimated total power usage as a sum of all resulting power usages determined from the look-up table.

A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions that when executed on a processor of an apparatus implement a method, the apparatus comprising a Direct Current to Direct Current ‘DCDC’ converter having a plurality of converter modules each configured to convert current at a first voltage level to another voltage form, the method comprising:

• determining on an ongoing basis an estimated total power usage for at least one circuit being powered by the DCDC converter;
• determining which converter module(s) to enable and which converter module(s) to disable based on the estimated total power usage;
• and
• dynamically enabling or disabling the converter modules accordingly;
• wherein determining the estimated power usage comprises:
• maintaining a look-up table identifying, for each of the at least one circuit, power usage as a function of operation of the circuit;
• for each of the at least one circuit, determining an operating state and a resulting power usage according to the look-up table;
• and
• determining the estimated total power usage as a sum of all resulting power usages determined from the look-up table.