阅读说明：本技术 电源中的电流仿真 (Current emulation in power supply ) 是由 V·斯林尼瓦斯 C·P·阿米劳特 R·T·卡罗尔 J·R·加雷特 于 2021-04-25 设计创作，主要内容包括：本公开的实施例涉及电源中的电流仿真。一种装置包括仿真器和对应的补偿器。在操作期间,仿真器在不同时间点产生表示从输出电压向负载供应的电流量的仿真输出电流值。通常,补偿器随时间对仿真输出电流值提供选择性补偿。例如,在第一持续时间内,来自补偿器的补偿调整被用于修改仿真输出电流值。在第二持续时间内,来自补偿器的补偿调整不被用于修改仿真输出电流值。在第二持续时间期间(例如在相应的瞬态状况期间)禁用或停止调整的应用(例如基于实际测量结果的输出电流),提供相应的仿真输出电流值的更准确和及时的生成。(Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to current emulation in power supplies. An apparatus includes a simulator and a corresponding compensator. During operation, the emulator generates emulated output current values at different points in time that represent the amount of current supplied from the output voltage to the load. Typically, the compensator provides selective compensation of the simulated output current value over time. For example, compensation adjustments from the compensator are used to modify the simulated output current value for a first duration. During the second duration, compensation adjustments from the compensator are not used to modify the simulated output current value. Disabling or stopping the application of the adjustment (e.g., the output current based on the actual measurement) during the second duration (e.g., during the corresponding transient condition) provides for a more accurate and timely generation of the corresponding simulated output current value.)

1. A method, comprising:

generating a simulated output current value representing an amount of current supplied from the output voltage to the load at different points in time;

applying an adjustment to the simulated output current value based on an actual measurement of the supplied current for a first duration;

generating the simulated output current value without an adjustment derived from the actual measurement of the supplied current for a second duration; and

controlling operation of a power converter that generates the output voltage based at least in part on the emulated output current value.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

preventing application of the adjustment to the emulated output current value during the second duration in response to detecting a triggering condition in which the load powered by the output voltage experiences a transient current consumption condition.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

monitoring a frequency of operation of the power converter that controls the generation of the output voltage; and

disabling application of the adjustment to the simulated output current value in response to detecting the change in the frequency.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

during both the first duration and the second duration: deriving a reference voltage set point signal based on the magnitude of the simulated output current value; and

adjusting, via the power converter, generation of the output voltage based on the reference voltage setpoint signal.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the power converter implements load line regulation during conversion of an input voltage to the output voltage.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

controlling operation of the power converter operating in a constant on-time control mode using the simulated output current value.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

deriving the simulated output current value from inductor current simulation information; and

wherein providing for adjustment of the simulated output current value during the first duration comprises: biasing a magnitude of the simulated output current value to track a magnitude of the actual measurement of the supplied current.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the inductor current emulation information specifies an estimated amount of output current to the load for each of a plurality of sampling times.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

generating an estimated change in the amount of current supplied from the output voltage to the load for each of a plurality of sampling times in accordance with a switching control state applied to the power converter that generates the output voltage.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the simulated output current value comprises:

estimating, for each of a plurality of sampling times, a change in the amount of current supplied to the load from the voltage across the inductor; and

deriving the simulated output current value from the variations estimated during the first and second durations.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

implementing an analog-to-digital converter to generate the actual measurement of the supplied current; and

wherein the simulated output current value is a more accurate representation of the amount of current supplied from the output voltage to the load than the actual measurement of the supplied current obtained via the analog-to-digital converter during the second duration.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

implementing a timer that causes the simulated output current value to be generated based on the actual measurement of the supplied current after an amount of time after disabling the second duration of the adjustment.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating the simulated output current value based on an inductance of the power converter converting an input voltage to the output voltage.

14. An apparatus, comprising:

a simulator operable to generate simulated output current values representative of an amount of current supplied from the output voltage to the load at different points in time;

a controller operable to adjust the output voltage based on the simulated output current value; and

a compensator operable to:

i) enabling adjustment of the simulated output current value based on a measurement of the supplied current for a first duration; and

ii) disabling adjustment of the simulated output current value based on the measurement of the supplied current for a second duration.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the compensator is further operable to:

disabling adjustment of the emulated output current value in response to detecting a triggering condition in which the load powered by the output voltage experiences a transient current consumption condition.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising:

a monitoring resource operable to monitor a frequency controlling operation of the power converter generating the output voltage; and

wherein the compensator is further operable to: disabling the adjustment of the emulated output current value in response to detecting a change in the frequency.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the compensator is further operable to:

during both the first duration and the second duration: deriving a reference voltage set point signal based on the magnitude of the simulated current output value; and

adjusting the generation of the output voltage based on the reference voltage setpoint signal.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the compensator is operable to implement load line regulation during conversion of an input voltage to the output voltage.

19. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the compensator is further operable to:

controlling operation of the power converter operating in a constant on-time control mode with the emulated current output value, the power converter generating the output voltage based at least in part on a magnitude of the emulated output current value.

20. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the emulator is further operable to: deriving the simulated current output value from inductor current simulation information; and

wherein the compensator is further operable to bias, via the adjustment, a magnitude of the artificial current output value to track a magnitude of the actual measurement of the supplied current.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the inductor current emulation information specifies, for each of a plurality of sampling times, an estimated change in the amount of current supplied from the output voltage to the load.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the emulator is further operable to:

generating an estimated change in the amount of current supplied from the output voltage to the load for each of a plurality of sampling times in accordance with a switching control state of the power converter generating the output voltage.

23. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the emulator is further operable to:

estimating a change in the amount of current supplied from the output voltage to the load for each of a plurality of sampling times; and

deriving the simulated current output value from the variations estimated during the first and second durations.

24. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising:

an analog-to-digital converter operable to generate the actual measurement of the supplied current; and

wherein the emulated current output value is a more accurate representation of the amount of current supplied from the output voltage to the load than the actual measurement of the supplied current obtained via the analog-to-digital converter during the second duration.

25. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising:

a timer operable such that the simulated current output value is generated based on the actual measurement of the supplied current after an amount of time after disabling the second duration of adjustment.

26. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the emulator is further operable to:

generating the emulated current output value based on an inductance of the power converter converting an input voltage to the output voltage.

27. A computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by computer processor hardware, cause the computer processor hardware to:

generating, at different points in time, a simulated current output value representing an amount of current supplied from the output voltage to the load;

providing an adjustment to the simulated current output value based on an actual measurement of the supplied current for a first duration; and is

Stopping the adjustment of the simulated current output value based on an actual measurement of the supplied current for a second duration.

28. A system, comprising:

a circuit substrate;

the device of claim 14, coupled to the circuit substrate; and is

Wherein the load is coupled to the substrate.

29. A method, comprising:

receiving a circuit substrate; and

coupling the device of claim 14 to the circuit substrate.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to current emulation in power supplies, and in particular, to a method, apparatus, computer-readable storage medium, system, and system manufacturing method for current emulation.

Background

One type of conventional power converter is a buck converter. So-called constant on-time (COT) switching buck regulators have a fixed on-time and use off-time Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) or global frequency modulation to regulate the output voltage. Typically, to maintain the output voltage within a desired range, the buck converter compares the magnitude of the generated output voltage to a setpoint reference voltage to control corresponding switching circuitry (such as control switches and synchronous switches) in the power converter.

In digital voltage regulators that do not implement load line regulation, the physical measurement of the output current consumed by the load is primarily for telemetry and current balancing purposes in multiphase applications. In this case, the corresponding analog-to-digital converter (ADC) monitoring the output current tends to be slower, with a slower update rate.

Disclosure of Invention

If the load line regulation feature is implemented in a power converter application, the reference voltage used to provide regulation becomes a function of the output current. In one example of implementing load line regulation, this means that if a fast response is desired, the corresponding analog-to-digital converter used to physically measure the output current must be upgraded to a faster analog-to-digital converter. The update rate of each analog-to-digital converter is typically a multiple of the switching frequency.

The present disclosure includes the observation that conventional power monitoring and control techniques have deficiencies. For example, as previously mentioned, it is often difficult to know exactly how much current the respective power converter delivers to the load in order to generate the appropriate power supply control signal, but this is again desired to be known exactly. Embodiments of load line regulation and corresponding high speed analog to digital converters (e.g., to quickly and accurately measure output current as previously described) add cost as well as power consumption to conventional power supplies.

Embodiments herein include novel ways of tracking current delivered by a power converter to a load and controlling generation of a respective output voltage.

More specifically, embodiments herein include an apparatus comprising a simulator and a corresponding compensator. During operation, the emulator generates emulated output current values at different points in time that represent the amount of current supplied from the output voltage to the load. As the name implies, the compensator provides compensation to the simulated output current value over time. For example, in one embodiment, the compensator enables (or provides) adjustment of the simulated output current value based on a measurement of the supplied current for a first duration. During the second duration, the compensator disables (or prevents) adjustment of the simulated output current value based on the measurement of the supplied current.

In particular during transient conditions in which the load experiences a change in current consumption, the compensator and the corresponding application of the adjustment are disabled in one or more time windows, so that the respective simulated output current values are generated more accurately. In one embodiment, disabling the output current emulation and compensator in different time windows allows the output current to be measured more accurately, alleviating the need for a fast analog-to-digital converter to physically measure the magnitude of the output current.

Other embodiments herein include temporarily disabling, via the compensator, adjustment of the simulated output current value in response to detecting a triggering condition in which the output current experiences a transient (such as a spike) current consumption condition.

Still further embodiments herein include monitoring a resource. The compensator disables adjustment of the emulated output current value in response to the monitoring resource detecting a triggering condition in which a load powered by the output voltage experiences a transient current consumption condition.

According to further example embodiments, the monitoring resource is configured to monitor any suitable one or more parameters to detect a triggering condition that controls compensation. For example, in one embodiment, the monitoring resource monitors a frequency of operation of a power converter that controls the generation of the output voltage. The compensator disables adjustment of the simulated output current value in response to detecting a change in the frequency or corresponding time period.

Note that in one embodiment, the monitoring resource senses the occurrence of a triggering event or condition (such as a sudden change in output current consumed by the load via the output voltage) in any suitable manner. For example, in one embodiment, the monitoring resource detects a deviation of the output voltage relative to a reference voltage; the polarity of these deviations may be used as an indicator of a transient event; and so on.

In still further example embodiments, the power converter operates in a Constant On Time (COT) control mode. In this case, as the name implies, the duration of the respective control switch (high-side switching circuitry) that activates the switching power supply is constant, while the respective controller adjusts the switching frequency that controls the high-side switching circuitry. In one embodiment, deviations of the switching frequency from a baseline value (e.g., steady state value, reference value, etc.) and/or changes in the corresponding polarity (e.g., positive or negative deviations) indicate respective transient events (sudden increases or decreases) in the current consumption of the load.

Accordingly, embodiments herein include a compensator that utilizes an emulated current output value to control operation of a power converter operating in a constant on-time control mode; the power converter generates an output voltage to power a load based at least in part on the simulated output current value.

In still further example embodiments, the power converter generates the output voltage based on an output of the reference voltage generator. During both the first duration and the second duration, the reference voltage generator as described herein derives a reference voltage set point signal based on the magnitude of the simulated current output value. A controller in the power converter regulates generation of the output voltage based on the derived reference voltage setpoint signal. As previously described, the simulator generates a simulated output current value based on pure simulation (i.e., without compensation) during transient conditions because the simulated output current value is more accurate than the physical output current measurement.

Further embodiments herein include implementing load line regulation during conversion of an input voltage to an output voltage that drives a load via a power converter and corresponding controller.

In yet a further example embodiment, an emulator as described herein generates an emulated current output value based on an inductance of a power converter that converts an input voltage to an output voltage.

In a further example embodiment, a simulator as described herein includes a simulated current information generator that generates inductor current simulation information for each of a plurality of sampling times. The emulator uses the inductor current emulation information as a basis to generate an emulated output current value. For example, via an adjustment generated by the compensator, the compensator biases the magnitude of the simulated output current value to track the magnitude of the actual measurement of the supplied current. This ensures that the emulated output current value generally tracks the actual output current supplied by the power converter to the load.

In one embodiment, the inductor current emulation information specifies, for each of a plurality of sampling times, an estimated change in an amount of current supplied from the output voltage to the load. The simulation information generator generates, for each of a plurality of sampling times, an estimated change in an amount of current supplied from a voltage across an inductor (of the power converter) according to a switching control state of a respective power converter that generates an output voltage. In one embodiment, the simulation information generator generates simulation information based on a combination of switch control states and monitored power supply parameters such as input voltage, output voltage, and the like.

Via the simulation information, the simulator estimates a change in an amount of output current to the load for each of the plurality of sampling times, and derives a simulated current output value from the estimated change during both the first duration and the second duration. As previously mentioned, the actual measurement of the output current is not used to derive the simulated output current value for a particular duration of time during which no compensation is applied.

Still further embodiments herein include an analog-to-digital converter and corresponding circuitry that produces an actual measurement of the current supplied by the output voltage to the load. This may include measuring the voltage across the inductor of the corresponding power converter and performing a DCR measurement.

In one embodiment, the compensator biases the simulated output current value. By biasing the simulated output current value based on the actual measurement results, the compensator ensures that: the simulated current output value produced by the simulator is a more accurate representation of the amount of current supplied to the load from the output voltage, as compared to an actual measurement of the current itself supplied only (which is prone to error for short durations when transient output current conditions exist).

Note that other embodiments herein include a timer. In this case, in one non-limiting example embodiment, the timer bases the generation of the simulated current output value on the actual measurement of the output current after a certain amount of time after the second duration of disabling the adjustment.

As previously mentioned, embodiments herein are useful over conventional techniques. For example, compensation adjustments to the simulated output current value are disabled or stopped during transient conditions and operated in a substantially pure simulation mode, thereby yielding a more accurate output current value that is then used to control the conversion of the input voltage to the output voltage. Embodiments herein include digital simulation of output current to implement load line characterization without a fast analog-to-digital converter (ADC). More specifically, in one embodiment, the ADC implemented to measure the actual current is not only implemented as a low update rate, but the output current measurement signal from the ADC may also be heavily filtered. As previously described, the output current of the respective power converter is simulated based on monitored values such as the input voltage Vin, the output voltage Vout, programmed values of L (associated with the inductor components), and sensing of transient current consumption such as load step and load release conditions.

These and other more specific embodiments will be disclosed in more detail below.

Note that although the embodiments discussed herein may be applied to power converters, the concepts disclosed herein may be advantageously applied to any other suitable topology and general power control applications.

Note that any resource as discussed herein may include one or more computerized devices, mobile communication devices, servers, base stations, wireless communication apparatuses, communication management systems, workstations, user equipment, handheld or laptop computers, or the like, to perform and/or support any or all of the method operations disclosed herein. In other words, one or more computerized devices or processors may be programmed and/or configured to operate as explained herein to perform the different embodiments as described herein.

Other embodiments herein include software programs for performing the steps and operations outlined above and disclosed in detail below. One such embodiment includes a computer program product that includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (i.e., any computer-readable hardware storage medium) on which software instructions are encoded for subsequent execution. When executed in a computerized device (hardware) having a processor, the instructions program and/or cause the processor (hardware) to perform the operations disclosed herein. Such arrangements are typically provided as software, code, instructions and/or other data (e.g., data structures) arranged or encoded on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, such as an optical medium (e.g., CD-ROM), a floppy disk, a hard disk, a memory stick, a memory device, etc., or other medium, such as firmware in one or more ROMs, RAMs, PROMs, etc., or as an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), etc. The software or firmware or other such configurations can be installed onto a computerized device to cause the computerized device to perform the techniques explained herein.

Accordingly, embodiments herein are directed to supporting methods of operation, systems, computer program products, and the like, as discussed herein.

One embodiment herein includes a computer-readable storage medium and/or system having instructions stored thereon. The instructions, when executed by computer processor hardware, cause the computer processor hardware (e.g., one or more co-located or co-located processor devices) to: generating, at different points in time, a simulated current output value representing an amount of current supplied from the output voltage to the load; providing (compensating) for a first duration of time an adjustment of the emulated current output value based on an actual measurement of the supplied current; disabling (compensation) adjustment of the simulated current output value based on an actual measurement of the supplied current for a second duration; and controlling operation of a power converter generating the output voltage based at least in part on the simulated output current value.

An ordering of the above steps has been added for clarity. Note that any of the process steps as discussed herein may be performed in any suitable order.

Other embodiments of the present disclosure include software programs and/or corresponding hardware to perform any of the method embodiment steps and operations summarized above and disclosed in detail below.

It should be understood that the systems, methods, apparatus, instructions on a computer-readable storage medium, etc., as discussed herein may also be implemented strictly as a software program, firmware, as a mixture of software, hardware, and/or firmware, or as separate hardware, such as within a processor (hardware or software), or within an operating system or within a software application.

As discussed herein, the techniques herein are well suited for use in the field of supporting switching power supplies. It should be noted, however, that the embodiments herein are not limited to use in such applications, and that the techniques discussed herein are well suited for other applications as well.

It is further noted that although each of the different features, techniques, configurations, etc. herein may be discussed in different places of this disclosure, it is intended that each of the concepts may optionally be performed independently of each other or in combination with each other, where appropriate. Thus, the invention(s) as described herein can be embodied and viewed in many different forms.

Moreover, it is noted that the preliminary discussion of the embodiments herein (a brief description of the embodiments) purposefully does not specify every embodiment and/or incrementally novel aspect of the present disclosure or claimed invention. Rather, this brief description presents only general embodiments and corresponding points of novelty over conventional techniques. For further details and/or possible aspects (permutations) of the invention, the reader is referred to the detailed description section of the disclosure (which is a summary of the embodiments) and the corresponding figures, as discussed further below.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an example overview diagram of a power supply supporting simulation and dynamic compensation according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a simulator and related components according to embodiments herein.

Fig. 3 is an example diagram illustrating a power converter according to embodiments herein.

Fig. 4 is an example timing diagram illustrating sampling and corresponding generation of simulation information according to embodiments herein.

Fig. 5 is an exemplary diagram illustrating an implementation of monitoring resources and corresponding compensation control outputs according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 6 is an example timing diagram illustrating dynamic generation of simulated output current values during transient and non-transient conditions according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 7 is an example timing diagram illustrating dynamic generation of simulated output current values during transient and non-transient conditions according to embodiments herein.

Fig. 8 is an exemplary diagram illustrating computer processor hardware and related software instructions to perform a method according to embodiments herein.

Fig. 9 is an example diagram illustrating a method according to embodiments herein.

Fig. 10 is an example diagram illustrating fabrication of a circuit according to embodiments herein.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of preferred embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating embodiments, principles, concepts, etc.

Detailed Description

Embodiments herein include an apparatus comprising a simulator and a corresponding compensator. During operation, the emulator generates emulated output current values at different points in time that represent the amount of current supplied from the output voltage to the load. The compensator provides selective compensation of the simulated output current value over time. For example, during the first duration, the compensator enables (provides) compensation adjustment of the simulated output current value based on a measurement of the supplied current. During the second duration, the compensator disables (prevents) compensation adjustment of the simulated output current value based on the measurement of the supplied current. In one embodiment, the temporary disabling of the compensator and the corresponding compensation adjustment during output current simulation provides for a more accurate generation of a corresponding simulated output current value, particularly during transient conditions in which the load experiences a change in current consumption.

Now, more particularly, fig. 1 is an exemplary overview of a power supply supporting output current emulation and dynamic compensation, according to embodiments herein.

In the exemplary embodiment, power supply 100 includes a power converter 135, a monitoring resource 170, an emulator 141, a compensator 160, and an output current measurement resource 150. The power converter 135 includes a controller 140 and a voltage converter 165.

As shown, the output current measurement resource 150 receives one or more signals 132 (e.g., feedback signals associated with a voltage converter 165). As the name implies, the output current measurement resource 150 physically measures the output current 122 supplied by the output voltage 123 to the load 118 via one or more signals 132.

In one embodiment, based on the signal 132, the output current measurement resource 150 generates output current information 155 that indicates the magnitude of the output current 122. The output current measurement resource 150 is or includes one or more analog-to-digital converters to measure the voltage across respective inductors in the voltage converter 165.

The output current measurement resource 150 includes one or more analog-to-digital converters and corresponding circuitry that produces an actual sampled measurement of the current supplied by the output voltage 123 to the load 118. This may include measuring the voltage across an inductor (e.g., inductor 325 in fig. 3) of the corresponding power converter 165 and performing a DCR measurement. Any alternative type of physical measurement may be implemented to detect the magnitude or change in magnitude of the output current 122.

As the name implies, the monitoring resource 170 monitors one or more parameters 142 associated with the power supply 100. In one embodiment, monitoring resource 170 monitors the transient output current condition of power supply 100, such as when load 118 experiences a sudden increase or decrease (e.g., above or below a threshold) in output current 122. This may include monitoring of control signals 105 or other suitable entities.

Based on detecting a triggering condition indicative of a corresponding transient condition, monitoring resource 170 generates control information 151. In one embodiment, control information 151 includes a signal indicating a time window in which a transient (output current) condition occurs. As discussed further below, the control information 151 controls when the simulator 141 will use the output current information 155 as a basis to correct or provide compensation for the simulated output current value 125.

More specifically, in one non-limiting exemplary embodiment, compensator 160 receives control information 151 indicating a time window during which a transient output current condition occurs. In addition, the compensator 160 receives the simulated output current value 125 generated by the simulator 141. Based on the combination of the output current information 155, the control information 151, and the simulated output current value 125, the compensator 160 generates the adjustment information 145 that is output to the simulator 141.

As further shown, the emulator 141 receives the adjustment information 145, the state information of the control signal 105, the state information of the output voltage Vout, the state information of the input voltage Vin. Based on such inputs, the emulator 141 generates an emulated output current value 125 that is transmitted to the controller 140.

As discussed further herein, the controller 140 uses the emulated output current value 125 as a basis to control the operation of the voltage converter 165 in the power supply 100.

According to further example embodiments, during operation, the emulator 141 generates an emulated output current value 125 (estimate) at a different point in time, which represents an amount of the output current 122 supplied from the output voltage 123 to the dynamic load 118. As previously described, the compensator 160 provides compensation (via the adjustment information 145) to the simulated output current value 125 over time. For example, in one embodiment, the compensator 160 inputs the adjustment information 145 (derived from the output current information 150) to the emulator 141 for a first duration (e.g., when the load 118 is consuming a substantially constant or steady-state amount of current). As discussed further herein, during the first time window, the emulator 141 uses the adjustment information 145 (e.g., derived from physical measurements of the output current 122) to adjust the emulated output current value 125.

During a second duration, such as during a transient condition indicated by control information 151, simulator 141 temporarily ceases use or does not receive adjustment information 145 to generate simulated output current value 125. In this case, the simulator 141 does not generate the simulated output current value 125 based on measurements of the supplied current (such as the adjustment information 145) indicated by the output current measurement resource 150. Instead, the emulator 141 generates the emulated output current value 125 based on the state of the control signal 105 and the measured input voltage Vin and the measured output voltage Vout.

As discussed further herein, the decommissioning or disabling of the compensation provided by compensator 160 (e.g., adjustment information 145 derived from output current information 155) in one or more time windows provides for more accurate generation of the corresponding simulated output current value 125, particularly during transient conditions in which load 118 experiences a change in the consumption of output current 122.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a simulator and related components according to embodiments herein.

As shown, and as previously discussed, power supply 100 includes simulator 141, monitoring resource 170, and compensator 160. The power supply 100 also includes a reference voltage generator 295.

In the exemplary embodiment, emulator 141 includes a voltage generator 243, a multiplexer 245, an amplifier 261, and an adder 221 (e.g., a digital adder). In one embodiment, the emulator 141 is a digital circuit that operates according to a corresponding sampling clock. As discussed further herein, each clock signal causes the adder 221 to perform an addition (summation) function.

As further shown, the compensator 160 includes a number of components, including a filter 217, an adder 222, a multiplexer 246 (also referred to as a multiplexer), a controller 240 (e.g., a PI or proportional-integral controller or other suitable resource).

In this example embodiment, the emulator 141 generates the emulated current output value 125 based on the inductance L (of the inductor 325 in fig. 3) of the voltage converter 165 (fig. 1) that converts the input voltage 121 to the output voltage 123.

More specifically, the emulator 141 includes a voltage value generator 243 that generates different voltage values V1, V2, and V3 based on the magnitudes of the input voltage 121 and the output voltage 123. For example, the voltage value generator 243 receives the magnitude of the input voltage 121 and the magnitude of the output voltage 123, and generates voltage values V1 (where V1 is Vin-Vout), V2 (where V2 is 0-Vout), and V3 (where V3 is Vd-Vout) using these pieces of information. Where Vd may be 0.5V.

The voltage converter 165 operates in one of 3 different switching states indicated by the control signal 105. Control signal 105 controls the state of multiplexer 245.

Based on the setting of the control signal 105 (e.g., whether switch Q11 is on, switch Q12 is on, or both Q11 and Q12 are off in the tri-state shown and discussed in fig. 3), the multiplexer 245 of the emulator 141 outputs a corresponding voltage value V1, V2, or V3 to the amplifier 261. The amplifier 261 applies a gain of dT/L (where dT is the sampling period in which each of the adders 221, 222, and 223 is operated, and L is the inductance of the inductor 325 in fig. 3) to the received voltage value (V1, V2, or V3), and generates corresponding inductor current simulation information 241 that is output to the adder 221 (such as a digital adder that operates the sampling clock frequency, where dT is the period associated with the sampling clock frequency).

As described previously, the simulator 141 generates the simulated output current value 125 using the inductor current simulation information 241 (the calculated change of the current for each sampling period or period) output from the amplifier 261 as a basis. More specifically, during transient current consumption conditions, the simulator 141 generates the simulated output current value 125 based on the inductor current simulation information 241 without compensation from the compensator 160. In contrast, during steady state current consumption conditions, the simulator 141 generates the simulated output current value 125 based on the inductor current simulation information 241 and compensation information (such as the compensation adjustment 145) from the compensator 160.

When used during steady state conditions, the compensator 160 biases the magnitude of the simulated output current value 125 via the adjustment 145 generated by the compensator 160 to generally track the magnitude of the actual measurement of the output current 122. The biasing (via adjustment 145) ensures that the simulated output current value 125 generally tracks the actual output current 122 provided to the load 118 by the voltage converter 165.

As further shown, in one embodiment, compensation of the simulated output current value 125 is dependent upon detection of a trigger condition monitored by monitoring resource 170. In the exemplary embodiment, monitoring resource 170 detects a transient condition via comparing measurement time period 142 associated with control signal 105 to threshold information 251. In response to detecting that the measurement time period (or frequency) of control signal 105 is above and/or below a respective threshold, monitoring resource 170 generates control information 151 (one or more bits of control information).

The control information 151 controls whether the compensator 160 provides compensation for the simulated output current value 125. For example, the adder 221 outputs the simulated output current value 125 to the filter 217. The adder 222 subtracts the output current information 155 (a physical measurement of the output current 122 using one or more slow analog-to-digital converters) from the filtered simulated output current value 125 to produce a channel 1 signal 158 that is input to the multiplexer 246.

In this example embodiment, control information 151 controls the state of multiplexer 246. During steady state conditions, when the switching period is typically constant, control information 151 sets multiplexer 246 to pass signal 158 at the channel 1 input of multiplexer 246 to controller 240. Conversely, during a transient condition, when the switching period crosses one or more thresholds specified by threshold information 251 indicative of a transient, control information 151 sets multiplexer 246 to channel 2, where a zero value from channel 2 is input to controller 240.

Controller 240 receives the output of multiplexer 246 and generates adjustment 145 which is input to adder 221. The adder 221 generates the simulated output current value 125 based on the inductor current simulation information 241 (i.e., value X), the simulated output current value 125 (i.e., value Y), and the adjustment information 145 (i.e., Z), as follows:

Y(n+1)＝Y(n)+X(n)-Z(n)，

where n is the previous sampling period and n +1 is the next sampling period.

Depending on the state of the control information 151, the adjustment information 145 (value Z) is typically a value 158 (when channel 1 of the multiplexer 246 is selected) or a zero value (when channel 2 of the multiplexer 246 is selected), as fed by the (PI or proportional integral) controller 240. In this manner, when channel 1 of multiplexer 246 is selected, compensator 160 biases the setting of the emulated output current value 125 based on measured current 122 (from output current information 155) during steady state conditions. When channel 1 of multiplexer 246 is selected, compensator 160 is prevented from biasing the setting of the emulated output current value 125 based on measured current 122 (from output current information 155) during transient conditions.

According to further example embodiments, the power supply 100 includes a reference voltage generator 295 for regulating the output voltage 123. As shown, the amplifier 262 provides a gain R _ LL (the value of the load line resistance associated with the voltage converter 165) such that the output VR of the amplifier 262 is equal to the value of the emulated output current value 125 multiplied by the resistance R _ LL of the voltage converter 165. The adder 223 generates the reference voltage RV by subtracting the value VR from the VID _ target value of the voltage converter 135. The VID _ target is a value that indicates a baseline amplitude (set point) for regulating the output voltage 123. The voltage value VR provides adjustment to the reference voltage 225.

As discussed further below in fig. 3, the voltage converter 165 regulates the output voltage 123 based on the reference voltage 225 generated by the reference voltage generator 295.

Fig. 3 is an example diagram illustrating a power converter according to embodiments herein.

In this non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the voltage converter 165 is configured as a buck converter that includes a voltage source 320 (providing the input voltage 121), a switch Q11, a switch Q12, an inductor 325, and an output capacitor 335.

Although the voltage converter 165 in fig. 3 is a buck converter configuration, it is again noted that the voltage converter 165 may be instantiated as any suitable type of voltage converter and include any number of phases, thereby providing for regulation as described herein.

As shown, the switch Q11 and the switch Q12 of the voltage converter 165 are connected in series between the input voltage 120 and a respective ground reference. The voltage converter 165 also includes an inductor 325 extending from a node 396 to the output capacitor 335 and the dynamic load 118.

By switching the switches Q11 and Q12 based on respective control signals 105-1 (applied to gate G of switch Q11) and 105-2 (applied to gate G of switch Q12), a node 396 coupling the source (S) node of switch Q11 and the drain (D) node of switch Q12 provides an output current 122 through inductor 325, thereby generating an output voltage 123 that powers load 118.

In one embodiment, the controller 140 controls the switching of the switches Q11 and Q12 based on one or more feedback parameters. For example, as previously described, the controller 140 may be configured to receive the output voltage feedback signal 123-1 derived from the output voltage 123 provided to power the load 118 as previously described in fig. 1. The output voltage feedback signal 123-1 may be the output voltage 123 itself or a proportional derivative thereof.

Referring again to fig. 3, via comparator 350, controller 140 compares output voltage feedback signal 123-1, such as output voltage 123 itself or a derivative or proportional signal thereof, to reference voltage 225 (fig. 2). As previously described, the reference voltage 225 is a desired set point at which the magnitude of the output voltage 123 is controlled during load line regulation by the power supply 100. Further, as previously described, during load line regulation, the magnitude of reference voltage 225 varies according to the magnitude of output current 122.

Based on the comparison of output voltage feedback signal 123-1 and voltage reference 225, comparator 350 generates a corresponding error voltage 355 based on the difference between output voltage feedback signal 123-1 and reference voltage 225. The magnitude of error voltage 355 produced by comparator 350 varies depending on the degree to which the magnitude of output voltage 123 is or is out of regulation (relative to reference voltage 225).

As further shown, a PWM (pulse width modulation) controller 360 of the controller 140 controls the switching operation of the switches Q11 and Q12 based on the magnitude of the error voltage 355. For example, if the error voltage 355 indicates that the output voltage 123 (of the voltage converter 165) becomes less than the magnitude of the reference voltage 225, the PWM controller 360 increases the duty cycle or frequency of activating the high-side switch Q11 (thereby decreasing the duty cycle of activating the low-side switch Q12) in the corresponding switching control period.

Conversely, if the error voltage 355 indicates that the output voltage 123 (of the voltage converter 165) becomes greater than the magnitude of the reference voltage 225, the PWM controller 360 decreases the duty cycle or frequency of activating the high-side switch Q11 (and thus increases the duty cycle of activating the low-side switch Q12) in the corresponding switching control period.

As is well known in the art, the controller 140 controls the turn-on and turn-off of each of the switches Q11 and Q12 at different times to prevent the input voltage 121 from shorting to the ground reference voltage. For example, when the switch Q11 is activated to an on state, the switch Q12 is deactivated to an off state. Conversely, when the switch Q11 is deactivated to the open state, the switch Q12 is activated to the open state. Note that controller 240 implements a dead time between state on-off and off-on state transitions to prevent input voltage 121 from shorting to the ground reference voltage.

The controller 140 controls the generation of the output voltage 123 such that the output voltage 123 remains within a desired voltage range relative to the reference voltage set point 225 by pulsing as the modulation of the respective switches Q11 and Q12 is controlled.

Fig. 4 is an example timing diagram illustrating sampling and corresponding generation of simulation information according to embodiments herein.

In this example embodiment, the pulse width modulation controller 360 generates the control signals 105 that drive the respective switches Q11 and Q12 of the voltage converter 165.

When the control signal 105 is logic high (e.g., when the control signal 105-1 drives the switch Q11 to an on state and the control signal 105-2 drives the switch Q12 to an off state, as indicated by state S2), the gain stage 261 of the emulator 140 outputs inductor current emulation information 241 indicating that the change in the output current 122 for each sampling period (ST 10 nanoseconds) between time T41 and time T42 is:

dI＝(Vsw-Vout)×dT/L

where dI is the current change for the sampling period, Vsw is the voltage at node 396 (such as 12VDC in this example, since switch Q11 passes the input voltage to node 396), Vout is the magnitude of output voltage 123 (such as 1VDC in this example), dT is the sampling period (10 nanoseconds in this example), and L is the inductance of inductor 325 (100 nanohenries in this example).

Thus, between time ranges T41 and T42, between time ranges T43 and T44, and so on, the simulator 140 generates a simulated output current value 125 (shown as monotonically increasing) in the graph 420.

Conversely, when the control signal 105 is logic low (e.g., when the control signal 105-1 drives the switch Q11 to an off state and the control signal 105-2 drives the switch Q12 to an on state), the gain stage 261 of the emulator 140 outputs inductor current emulation information 241 indicating that the change in the output current 122 for each sampling period (ST 10 nanoseconds) between time T42 and time T43 is:

dI＝(Vsw-Vout)×dT/L

where dI is the change in current, Vsw is the voltage at node 396 (e.g., 0VDC in this example because switch Q12 is on), Vout is the magnitude of output voltage 123 (e.g., 1VDC in this example), dT is the sampling period (10 nanoseconds in this example), and L is the inductance of inductor 325 (100 nanohenries in this example).

Thus, between time ranges T42 and T43, between time ranges T44 and T45, and so on, the simulator 140 generates the simulated output current values 125 (shown as monotonically decreasing) in the graph 420.

If desired, as previously described, note that the emulator 140 may be configured to generate an appropriate Δ I value for the output current 122 during a tri-state condition (dead time) when both the switch Q11 (also known as a high-side switching circuit or control switching circuit) and the switch Q12 (also known as a low-side switching circuit or synchronous switching circuit) are open.

Fig. 5 is an exemplary diagram illustrating an implementation of monitoring resources and corresponding compensation control outputs according to embodiments herein.

As previously described, in one embodiment, the voltage converters 165 operate in a constant on-time control mode, wherein the high-side switching circuits (Q11) of the respective voltage converters 165 are set to a fixed value, and the frequency (and time period) of the control signal 105 is varied according to the amount of output current 122 required to drive the load 118.

In the exemplary embodiment, monitoring resource 170 monitors a time period of control signal 105 and compares the control signal to each of two thresholds 251-1 and 251-2 (variables such as fixed values) to determine a transient current consumption condition associated with dynamic load 118.

For example, converter 505 converts control signal 105 into a measured time period value 145-1, which is output to comparators 251-1 and 251-2. If the magnitude of signal 145-1 is greater than threshold 251-1, comparator 521 sets signal 531 to a logic 1 indicating a load 118 release condition. This triggers signal 547 to go high causing counter 555 to generate control signal 151 to disable the compensation associated with compensator 160.

In one embodiment, in response to detecting a trigger condition (e.g., a load release at time T11 shown in FIG. 7), the timer 555 prevents the emulator 140 from generating the emulated output current value 125 based on the output current information 155 (FIG. 7) between time T11 and time T12. After a duration controlled by timer 555, timer 555 sets signal 151 back to the following state: where the emulator 141 again generates the emulated output current value 125 based at least in part on the output current information 155, such as the output current 122 measured by the analog-to-digital converter.

Conversely, if the magnitude of signal 145-1 is less than threshold 251-2, comparator 522 sets signal 532 to a logic 1 indicating a step condition of load 118. This triggers signal 547 to go high, causing counter 555 to generate control signal 151 to disable compensation. In one embodiment, in response to detecting a trigger condition (e.g., a load step at time T1 as shown in FIG. 6), the timer 555 prevents the emulator 140 from generating the emulated output current value 125 based on the output current information 155 (FIG. 6) between time T1 and time T2. After a duration controlled by timer 555, the timer sets signal 151 back to the following state: where the emulator 140 again generates an emulated output current value 125 based at least in part on the output current information 155, such as the output current 122 measured by the analog-to-digital converter.

Thus, during the transient condition and the corresponding predetermined time window, the simulator 140 generates a corresponding simulated output current value 125 based on pure simulation (such as without adjustments derived from the output current information 155 representing actual measurements of the output current 122). The output current emulation and disabling of the compensator 160 provides a more accurate measurement of the output current 122 in different time windows, alleviating the need for fast analog-to-digital converters (such as the output current measurement resource 150) to physically measure the magnitude of the output current 122 and use such information as a basis for generating the corresponding output voltage 123.

According to a further example embodiment, the timer 555 may be configured to: such that generation of the simulated current output value is based on actual measurements of the supplied current after a certain amount of time after the duration of disabling the adjustment from the output current information 155 (such as T1-T2, T11-T12, etc.).

FIG. 6 is an example timing diagram illustrating dynamic generation of simulated output current values during transient and non-transient conditions according to embodiments herein.

In this example embodiment, the duration 600 illustrates the operation of the voltage converter 165 and the emulator 140 at multiple points in time and time windows.

For example, between time T0 and time T1, dynamic load 118 consumes a substantially fixed (or steady-state) amount of current. In this case, between time T0 and time T1, the emulator 141 generates the emulated output current value 125 based on a combination of inductor current emulation information 241 (derived from the measured input voltage 121, the measured output voltage 123, and the control signal 105) and adjustment information 145 derived from the measured output current 155. Generally, between the time T0 and the time T1 shown, the simulated output current value 125 and the actual output current 122 both closely track the magnitude of the measured output current information 155. The controller 140 generates the output voltage 123 to track the reference voltage 225.

At or near time T1, it is assumed that dynamic load 118 significantly increases current consumption relative to consumption in the time range between T0 and T1. In response to the detected transient increase in current consumption, monitoring resource 170 generates control information 151 to disable the compensation (or correction) provided by compensator 160 and corresponding output current information 155 between time T1 and time T2. In this case, because the compensation is disabled between time T1 and time T2, simulator 141 generates simulated output current value 125 based only on inductor current simulation information 241, without the compensation (correction) provided by adjustment information 145. Thus, between time T1 and time T2, the simulated output current value 125 tracks the actual output current 122 very closely, even though the output current information 155 (actual measured current 122) is not used to provide compensation/correction. Note that the output current information 155 from the output current measurement resource 150 (such as the measured output current 122) cannot closely track the actual output current 122 due to the delay.

Finally, near time T2, after reaching steady state again (e.g., substantially constant current consumption), the measured output current information 155 from the output current measurement resource 150 again represents the actual output current 122 well. In this case, after a duration (time window) between T1 and T2, monitoring resource 170 generates control signal 151 to enable compensation/correction again via output current information 155. More specifically, between time T2 and time T3, dynamic load 118 again consumes a substantially fixed amount of current. In this case, between time T2 and time T3, the emulator 141 generates the emulated output current value 125 based on a combination of inductor current emulation information 241 (derived from the measured input voltage 121, the measured output voltage 123, and the control signal 105) and adjustment information 145 (derived from the measured output current 155). Generally, between time T2 and time T3, both the simulated output current value 125 and the actual output current 122 closely track the magnitude of the measured output current information 155. As usual, the controller 140 generates the output voltage 123 to track the reference voltage 225.

Thus, using the simulated output current value 125 between time T1 and time T2 provides a more accurate reading of the current provided to the load 118.

FIG. 7 is an example timing diagram illustrating dynamic generation of simulated output current values during transient and non-transient conditions according to embodiments herein.

In this example embodiment, the duration 700 illustrates the operation of the voltage converter 165 and the emulator 140 at multiple points in time.

For example, between time T10 and time T11, the dynamic load 118 consumes a substantially fixed amount of current. In this case, between time T10 and time T11, the emulator 141 generates the emulated output current value 125 based on a combination of inductor current emulation information 241 (derived from the measured input voltage 121, the measured output voltage 123, and the control signal 105) and adjustment information 145 derived from the measured output current 155. Generally, between the time T10 and the time T11 shown, the simulated output current value 125 and the actual output current 122 both closely track the magnitude of the measured output current information 155. The controller 140 generates the output voltage 123 to track the reference voltage 225.

At or near time T11, it is assumed that dynamic load 118 significantly reduces current consumption (e.g., so-called load release) relative to consumption in the time range between T10 and T11. In response to the detected transient decrease in current consumption, monitoring resource 170 generates control information 151 to disable the compensation (or correction) provided by compensator 160 and corresponding output current information 155 between time T11 and time T12. In this case, because the compensation is disabled between time T11 and time T12, simulator 141 generates simulated output current value 125 based only on inductor current simulation information 241, without the compensation (correction) provided by adjustment information 145. Thus, between time T11 and time T12, the simulated output current value 125 tracks the actual output current 122 very closely, even though the output current information 155 (actual measured current 122) is not used to provide compensation/correction for the simulated output current value 125. Note that due to the delay, the output current information 155 from the output current measurement resource 150 cannot closely track the actual output current 122 between times T11 and T12.

Finally, near time T12, after the steady state is again reached, the measured output current information 155 from the output current measurement resource 150 again represents the actual output current 122 well. In this case, after a duration (time window) between T11 and T12, monitoring resource 170 generates control signal 151 to enable compensation/correction again via output current information 155. More specifically, between time T12 and time T13, dynamic load 118 again consumes a substantially fixed amount of current. In this case, between time T12 and time T13, the emulator 141 generates the emulated output current value 125 based on a combination of inductor current emulation information 241 (derived from the measured input voltage 121, the measured output voltage 123, and the control signal 105) and adjustment information 145 (derived from the measured output current 155). Generally, between time T12 and time T13, both the simulated output current value 125 and the actual output current 122 closely track the magnitude of the measured output current information 155. As usual, the controller 140 generates the output voltage 123 to track the reference voltage 225.

As previously mentioned, embodiments herein are useful over conventional techniques. For example, disabling adjustment of the simulated output current value 125 during a transient condition results in a more accurate output current value 125 that is subsequently used to control the conversion of the input voltage 121 to the output voltage 123, thereby providing a faster transient response to changes in the load 118.

Thus, using the simulated output current value 125 between time T11 and time T12 provides a more accurate reading of the current provided to the load 118.

Fig. 8 is an example block diagram of a computer device to implement any of the operations discussed herein according to embodiments herein.

As shown, computer system 800 of the present example (e.g., implemented by any of one or more resources such as controller 140, emulator 141, monitoring resource 170, compensator 160, output current measurement resource 150, etc.) includes an interconnect 811 coupling a computer-readable storage medium 812 such as a non-transitory type of medium (or hardware storage medium) in which digital information may be stored and retrieved, a processor 813 (e.g., computer processor hardware such as one or more processor devices), an I/O interface 814, and a communication interface 817.

I/O interface 814 provides a connection to any suitable circuitry, such as power supply voltage converter 165.

Computer-readable storage media 812 may be any hardware storage resource or device, such as memory, optical storage, hard drives, floppy disks, and the like. In one embodiment, computer-readable storage medium 812 stores instructions and/or data used by control application 140-1 to perform any of the operations described herein.

Further, in the exemplary embodiment, communication interface 817 enables computer system 800 and processor 813 to communicate over resources such as network 190 to retrieve information from remote resources and to communicate with other computers.

As shown, computer-readable storage medium 812 is encoded with a control application 140-1 (e.g., software, firmware, etc.) that is executed by processor 813. The control application 140-1 may be configured to include instructions for performing any of the operations discussed herein.

During operation of one embodiment, processor 813 accesses computer-readable storage medium 812 using interconnect 811 to launch, run, execute, interpret or otherwise execute instructions in control application 140-1 stored on computer-readable storage medium 812.

Control application 140-1 is executed resulting in processing functions such as control process 140-2 in processor 813. In other words, the control process 140-2 associated with the processor 813 represents the execution of one or more aspects of the control application 140-1 within or on the processor 813 in the computer system 800.

According to various embodiments, note that computer system 800 may be a microcontroller device, logic, hardware processor, hybrid analog/digital circuitry, etc., configured to control a power supply and perform any of the operations as described herein.

The functionality supported by the different resources will now be discussed via the flow diagram in fig. 9. Note that the steps in the following flow charts may be performed in any suitable order.

Fig. 9 is an example diagram illustrating a method of controlling a power converter according to embodiments herein.

In process operation 910, the emulator 141 generates an emulated output current value 125 at a different point in time that represents the amount of current supplied from the output voltage 123 to the load 118.

In process operation 920, during the first duration, the compensator 160 applies an adjustment (such as adjustment information 145) to the simulated output current value 125 based on an actual measurement of the supplied current 122.

In process operation 930, during the second duration, the compensator 160 disables adjustments (such as adjustment 145) to the simulated output current value 125 based on actual measurements of the supplied current 122.

In process operation 940, the controller 140 controls operation of the power converter that generates the output voltage 123 based at least in part on the simulated output current value 125.

Fig. 10 is an example diagram illustrating assembly of power converter circuits on a circuit board according to embodiments herein.

In the exemplary embodiment, an assembler 1040 receives a substrate 1010 (e.g., a circuit board).

Assembler 1040 also secures (couples) controller 140 and voltage converter 165 (and corresponding components associated with power converter 135, such as emulator 141, compensator 160, output current measurement resource 150, monitoring resource 170, etc.) to substrate 1010.

The assembler 1040 couples the controller 140 to the voltage converter 165 via a circuit path 1021 (such as one or more traces, electrical conductors, cables, wires, etc.). Note that components associated with power converter 135, such as controller 140, voltage converter 165, and corresponding components, such as emulator 141, compensator 160, output current measurement resource 150, monitoring resource 170, etc., may be secured or coupled to substrate 1010 in any suitable manner. For example, one or more components in power supply 100 may be soldered to the substrate, inserted into a socket on substrate 1010, and so forth.

Note also that substrate 1010 is optional. The circuit paths 1022 may be arranged in a cable that provides a connection between the power converter 135 and the load 118.

In one non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the load 118 is disposed on its own substrate independent of the substrate 1010; the substrate of load 118 is directly or indirectly connected to substrate 1010. Any portion of controller 140 or power converter 135 may be disposed on a smaller, separate board that is inserted into a slot of substrate 1010.

The assembler 1040 couples the voltage converter 165 to the load 118 via one or more circuit paths 1022 (such as one or more traces, cables, connectors, wires, conductors, conductive paths, etc.). In one embodiment, circuit path 1022 delivers the output voltage 123 generated from voltage converter 165 to load 118.

Accordingly, embodiments herein include a system comprising: a substrate 1010 (e.g., a circuit board, a stand-alone board, a motherboard, a stand-alone board that is intended to be coupled to a motherboard, a host, etc.); a voltage converter 165 including corresponding components as described herein; and a load 118. As previously described, the load 118 is powered based on the delivery of the output voltage 123 and the delivery of the corresponding current 122 from the voltage converter 165 onto the load 118 over the one or more circuit paths 1022.

Note that load 118 may be any suitable circuit or hardware, such as one or more CPUs (central processing units), GPUs (graphics processing units), and ASICs (application specific integrated circuits, such as those including one or more artificial intelligence accelerators), which may be on substrate 1010 or disposed at a remote location.

Note again that the techniques herein are well suited for use in circuit applications such as those implementing power conversion. It should be noted, however, that the embodiments herein are not limited to use in such applications, and that the techniques discussed herein are well suited for other applications as well.

Based on the description set forth herein, numerous specific details have been set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the claimed subject matter. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that claimed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, methods, devices, systems, etc., that are known to one of ordinary skill in the art have not been described in detail so as not to obscure claimed subject matter. Some portions of the detailed description are presented in terms of algorithms or symbolic representations of operations on data bits or binary digital signals stored within a computing system memory, such as computer memory. These algorithmic descriptions or representations are examples of techniques used by those skilled in the data processing arts to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. An algorithm described herein is generally considered to be a self-consistent sequence of operations or similar processing leading to a desired result. In such cases, the operations or processes involve physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily, such quantities may take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. It has proven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, data, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like. It should be understood, however, that all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels. Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the specification discussions utilizing terms such as "processing," "computing," "calculating," "determining," or the like, refer to the action and processes of a computing platform, such as a computer or similar electronic computing device, that manipulate or transform data represented as electronic or magnetic physical quantities within the computing platform's memories, registers, or other information storage, transmission, or display devices.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application as defined by the appended claims. These variations are intended to be covered by the scope of the present application. Accordingly, the foregoing description of the embodiments of the present application is not intended to be limiting. Rather, any limitations of the present invention are presented in the appended claims.