A switched-mode power regulator circuit has four solid-state switches connected in series and a capacitor and an inductor that regulate power delivered to a load. The solid-state switches are operated such that a voltage at the load is regulated by repetitively (1) prefluxing the inductor then charging the capacitor causing an increased current to flow in the inductor and (2) prefluxing the inductor then discharging the capacitor causing increased current to flow in the inductor. The inductor prefluxing steps enable the circuit to provide increased output voltage and/or increased output current.

An apparatus includes: a voltage regulator that outputs a voltage responsive to an enable signal; a power managed domain coupled to the voltage regulator and including a clock generator configured to output a clock signal from the clock generator; and an always on domain. The always on domain receives the clock signal. The always on domain includes a finite state machine coupled to receive the clock signal and receiving a shutdown request signal. The finite state machine is configured to output a signal to control power to the power managed domain and to disable the clock generator, responsive to the shutdown request signal. The finite state machine receives an asynchronous wake signal, and circuitry in the always on domain is coupled to enable power to the power managed domain and to the clock generator, responsive to the asynchronous wake input signal.

One example discloses, an apparatus for power management, having: a power input node configured to receive charge from a primary power source at a first power level; a power-converter, having an enabled state and a disabled state, and coupled to receive the charge from the power input node; an energy buffer, coupled to receive and store the charge from the power-converter, and configured to release the charge at a second power level; a power output node, coupled to receive the charge from the energy buffer, and configured to supply the charge at the second power level to a load; wherein the second power level is greater than the first power level; and wherein the power-converter switches between the enabled state and the disabled state based on whether the charge is supplied to the load.

Modern integrated circuits have an increasing need for various levels of both supply voltage (V) and operating frequency (f) available at fine spatial and temporal granularity. This work introduces a solution that provides a number and quality of locally distributed V/f domains through FOPAC. Opportunistically sharing design resources and features between multi-phase voltage regulators (MPVRs) and resonant rotary clocks (ReRoCs) enabling i) the scalability to hundreds of domains, ii) fast switching times for both voltage and frequency, leading to temporal flexibility, and iii) locally distributed designs, leading to spatial flexibility.

Modern integrated circuits have an increasing need for various levels of both supply voltage (V) and operating frequency (f) available at fine spatial and temporal granularity. This work introduces a solution that provides a number and quality of locally distributed V/f domains through FOPAC. Opportunistically sharing design resources and features between multi-phase voltage regulators (MPVRs) and resonant rotary clocks (ReRoCs) enabling i) the scalability to hundreds of domains, ii) fast switching times for both voltage and frequency, leading to temporal flexibility, and iii) locally distributed designs, leading to spatial flexibility.

The disclosed invention provides apparatus and methods for dynamic biasing in electronic systems and circuits. The apparatus and methods disclosed provide non-linear biasing responsive to monitored load conditions.

In an embodiment, a power-supply controller includes a switching regulator and a current limiter. The switching regulator is configured to generate an input current such that an output voltage is generated in response to the input current and an input voltage, and the current limiter is configured to limit the input current in response to a quantity that is related to a ratio of the output voltage divided by the input voltage. For example, an embodiment of such a power-supply controller may be able to limit the output or load current from a power supply to a set level by limiting the input current in response to a quantity that is related to the ratio (e.g., the boost ratio) of the output voltage to the input voltage.

In an embodiment, a power-supply controller includes a switching regulator and a current limiter. The switching regulator is configured to generate an input current such that an output voltage is generated in response to the input current and an input voltage, and the current limiter is configured to limit the input current in response to a quantity that is related to a ratio of the output voltage divided by the input voltage. For example, an embodiment of such a power-supply controller may be able to limit the output or load current from a power supply to a set level by limiting the input current in response to a quantity that is related to the ratio (e.g., the boost ratio) of the output voltage to the input voltage.

Cycle timing of a charge pump is adapted according to monitoring of operating characteristics of a charge pump and/or peripheral elements coupled to the charge pump. In some examples, this adaptation provides maximum or near maximum cycle times while avoiding violation of predefine constraints (e.g., operating limits) in the charge pump and/or peripheral elements.

A semiconductor device including an input terminal to which a power source, for which the time until a voltage equal or greater than a predetermined voltage value is output fluctuates according to an external environment, is connected, a power source section to which the input terminal supplies power from the power source, a power source supply terminal that supplies power to a driven semiconductor device, a switch that controls a connection between the power source section and the power source supply terminal, and a voltage regulator to which the input terminal supplies power from the power source, and that supplies a voltage to the power source supply terminal is provided.