A voltage regulator circuit included in a computer system may include multiple phase circuits each coupled to a regulated power supply node via a corresponding inductor. The phase circuits may modify a voltage level of the regulated power supply node using respective control signals generated by a digital control circuit that processes multiple data bits. An analog-to-digital converter circuit may compare the voltage level of the regulated power supply node to multiple reference voltage levels and sample the resultant comparisons to generate the multiple data bits.

A voltage regulator circuit included in a computer system may include multiple phase circuits each coupled to a regulated power supply node via a corresponding inductor. The phase circuits may modify a voltage level of the regulated power supply node using respective control signals generated by a digital control circuit that processes multiple data bits. An analog-to-digital converter circuit may compare the voltage level of the regulated power supply node to multiple reference voltage levels and sample the resultant comparisons to generate the multiple data bits.

A system includes: 1) a battery configured to provide an input voltage (VIN); 2) switching converter circuitry coupled to the battery, wherein the switching converter circuitry includes a power switch; 3) a load coupled to an output of the switching converter circuitry; and 4) a control circuit coupled to the power switch. The control circuit includes: 1) a switch driver circuit coupled to the power switch; 2) a summing comparator circuit configured to output a first control signal that indicates when to turn the power switch on; and 3) an analog on-time extension circuit configured to extend an on-time of the power switch by gating a second control signal with the first control signal, wherein the second control signal indicates when to turn the power switch off.

A system includes: 1) a battery configured to provide an input voltage (VIN); 2) switching converter circuitry coupled to the battery, wherein the switching converter circuitry includes a power switch; 3) a load coupled to an output of the switching converter circuitry; and 4) a control circuit coupled to the power switch. The control circuit includes: 1) a switch driver circuit coupled to the power switch; 2) a summing comparator circuit configured to output a first control signal that indicates when to turn the power switch on; and 3) an analog on-time extension circuit configured to extend an on-time of the power switch by gating a second control signal with the first control signal, wherein the second control signal indicates when to turn the power switch off.

A method includes converting an electrical output provided by an energy generator with a first voltage converter; and, subsequent to converting the electrical output provided by the energy generator with the first voltage converter, activating, with a microprocessor, a second voltage converter for converting the electrical output provided by the energy generator with the second voltage converter. An electrical device with a microprocessor for selecting one of two or more voltage converters is also described.

A method includes converting an electrical output provided by an energy generator with a first voltage converter; and, subsequent to converting the electrical output provided by the energy generator with the first voltage converter, activating, with a microprocessor, a second voltage converter for converting the electrical output provided by the energy generator with the second voltage converter. An electrical device with a microprocessor for selecting one of two or more voltage converters is also described.

A method for increasing performance of a voltage-buck switched-mode voltage regulator includes generating a first pulse-width modulation signal based on a clock signal, decreasing a frequency of the clock signal to form a modified clock signal, passing the modified clock signal to a digital modulation circuit as a regulated clock signal; and generating a second pulse-width modulation signal based on the regulated clock signal using the digital modulation circuit. The first pulse-width modulation signal includes a period T1 and an off duration D2 corresponding to a first duty cycle. The off duration D2 is an intrinsic pulse-width modulation signal generation latency. The second pulse-width modulation signal includes a period T2 and the off duration D2. The decreased frequency of the modified clock signal causes T2 to be greater than T1 such that a second duty cycle of the second pulse-width modulation signal is increased relative to the first duty cycle.

A method for increasing performance of a voltage-buck switched-mode voltage regulator includes generating a first pulse-width modulation signal based on a clock signal, decreasing a frequency of the clock signal to form a modified clock signal, passing the modified clock signal to a digital modulation circuit as a regulated clock signal; and generating a second pulse-width modulation signal based on the regulated clock signal using the digital modulation circuit. The first pulse-width modulation signal includes a period T1 and an off duration D2 corresponding to a first duty cycle. The off duration D2 is an intrinsic pulse-width modulation signal generation latency. The second pulse-width modulation signal includes a period T2 and the off duration D2. The decreased frequency of the modified clock signal causes T2 to be greater than T1 such that a second duty cycle of the second pulse-width modulation signal is increased relative to the first duty cycle.

An object of this disclosure is to implement a Buck, Boost, or other switching converter, with a circuit to supply a reference voltage and Adaptive Voltage Positioning (AVP), by means of a servo and programmable load regulation. The reference voltage is modified, achieving a high DC gain, using a servo to remove any DC offset at the output of the switching converter. The correction implemented by the servo is measured, and a programmable fraction of the correction is injected back on either the reference voltage or the output feedback voltage. To accomplish at least one of these objects, a Buck, Boost, or other switching converter is implemented, consisting of an output stage driven by switching logic, with a servo configured between the reference voltage and the control loops of the Buck converter. The AVP function is implemented on either the reference voltage or output feedback voltage.

As paths for a current flowing through a conductor, a first current path through which a current flows from a first conductive portion to a second conductive portion, and a second current path through which a current flows from a third conductive portion to the second conductive portion are provided. Each of the first conductive portion, the second conductive portion, and the third conductive portion has a plate shape, a point P1 is located on a plate surface of the first conductive portion, and a point P2 is located on a plate surface of the second conductive portion. A current detecting circuit detects a value related to a potential difference between the points P1 and P2, and outputs a voltage value corresponding to a values of a current flowing through each of the first current path and the second current path.