Device, method and system to mitigate a voltage overshoot event

a technology of voltage overshoot and device, applied in the direction of electric variable regulation, process and machine control, instruments, etc., can solve the problem that the architecture is also more prone to supply voltage overshoot to levels much higher than the norm

Active Publication Date: 2020-01-02
INTEL CORP
View PDF3 Cites 0 Cited by
  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention relates to a circuitry and method for regulating voltage in a DC-to-DC converter to prevent voltage overshooting. The technical effect of the invention is to mitigate voltage overshoot events, which can damage circuit components and impact the reliability and lifetime of integrated circuit architectures. The invention provides techniques and mechanisms for configuring switch circuitry of the converter to dissipate energy and prevent voltage overshooting. The invention can be used in various circuit architectures and can selectively target specific components of the converter for mitigation. The invention can be implemented without intermediary devices and can be used in computer systems and other electronic devices.

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, these architectures are also more prone to supply voltages overshooting to levels much higher—e.g., in the range of 1.5V to 2.0V—than those which allow for acceptable reliability and lifetime of circuit components.

Method used

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
View more

Image

Smart Image Click on the blue labels to locate them in the text.
Viewing Examples
Smart Image
  • Device, method and system to mitigate a voltage overshoot event
  • Device, method and system to mitigate a voltage overshoot event
  • Device, method and system to mitigate a voltage overshoot event

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

Embodiment Construction

[0014]Embodiments discussed herein variously provide techniques and mechanisms for configuring switch circuitry of a voltage regulator (VR) to mitigate a duration or a magnitude of a voltage overshoot condition. In an embodiment, first circuitry of a VR is operable to provide buck converter functionality for outputting a regulated supply voltage. In response to detecting an overshoot condition of the output voltage, control circuitry of the VR may generate signaling to configure respective switch states of both the first circuitry and second circuitry of the VR. Such switch states may enable a conductive path by which energy is to be dissipated using respective inductors of the first circuitry and the second circuitry. In some embodiments, mitigating a voltage overshoot comprises the VR being alternatively toggled between two configurations each to enable a different respective conductive path.

[0015]In the following description, numerous details are discussed to provide a more thoro...

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

PUM

No PUM Login to View More

Abstract

Techniques and mechanisms for mitigating an overshoot of a supply voltage provided with a voltage regulator (VR). In an embodiment, buck converter functionality of a VR is provided with first circuitry comprising a first inductor and first switch circuits variously coupled thereto. Second circuitry of the VR comprises a second inductor and second switch circuits variously coupled thereto. In response to an indication of a voltage overshoot condition, respective states of the first switch circuits and the second switch circuits are configured to enable a conductive path for dissipating energy with the first inductor, the second inductor, and various ones of the first switch circuits and the second switch circuits. In another embodiment, mitigating the voltage overshoot condition comprises alternately toggling between two different configurations of the second switch circuits.

Description

BACKGROUND1. Technical Field[0001]The present invention relates generally to the regulation of a supply voltage and more specifically, but not exclusively, to circuitry for mitigating a voltage overshoot condition.2. Background Art[0002]A DC-to-DC voltage regulator typically is used to convert a DC input voltage to either a higher or a lower DC output voltage. Various types of switching voltage regulators are often used in integrated circuit (IC) applications due to their small size and efficiency. A switching regulator typically includes one or more switches that are rapidly opened and closed to transfer energy between an inductor (a stand-alone inductor or a transformer, as examples) and an input voltage source in a manner that regulates an output voltage.[0003]Successive generations of IC architectures continue to trend toward better power efficiency at lower operational voltages. Unfortunately, these architectures are also more prone to supply voltages overshooting to levels muc...

Claims

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

Application Information

Patent Timeline
no application Login to View More
IPC IPC(8): H02M3/158
CPCH02M3/1584H02M3/1566H02M1/325H02M1/32H02M1/0032H02M1/008Y02B70/10
InventorJAIN, AMITSHEKHAR, SAMEERLYAKHOV, ALEXANDERDOUGLAS, JONATHANSAXENA, VIVEK
OwnerINTEL CORP