Voltage Regulator Power Sequencing via Power Good Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing complexity of modern computer motherboards requires establishing power rails in a specific sequence to avoid conflicts between components, but current solutions involving discrete logic or programmable logic devices (PLDs) add cost and consume board space, and require significant design and debugging efforts.
Innovation Solution
Interconnecting voltage regulators in a series or parallel configuration to establish power rails in accordance with a sequence requirement, using power good signals to enable subsequent stages, and incorporating a clock driver to generate a system power good signal after power rails are established, thereby reducing the need for glue logic and PLDs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If discrete logic or programmable logic devices (PLDs) are used to coordinate power rail sequencing, then proper power sequence requirements are satisfied, but device complexity and board space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power sequencing control function from discrete logic or PLD devices and relocates it directly into the voltage regulator modules themselves. Each VRM contains internal logic that automatically sequences its power output based on received power good signals, eliminating the need for external coordination logic and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable power sequencing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces power good signals as intermediary carriers that transmit sequencing information between voltage regulators. Instead of using complex logic devices to coordinate power rails, simple binary power good signals serve as mediators that enable subsequent voltage regulators to activate in the correct sequence, achieving reliable power management through simple signal passing rather than complex control logic
2Reliability
If discrete logic or programmable logic devices (PLDs) are used to coordinate power rail sequencing, then proper power sequence requirements are satisfied, but board space consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power sequencing control functionality directly into the voltage regulator modules. By combining the sequencing logic with the power regulation function in integrated circuits, the patent eliminates the need for separate discrete logic or PLD devices on the motherboard, thereby reducing board space while maintaining proper power sequence requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the sequencing control function from external logic devices and embeds it within the VRM components themselves. This extraction eliminates the physical footprint of separate logic devices on the motherboard while preserving the power sequencing capability through internal VRM control logic
3Reliability
If discrete logic or programmable logic devices (PLDs) are used to coordinate power rail sequencing, then proper power sequence requirements are satisfied, but design and debugging time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service power sequencing where each voltage regulator module autonomously determines when to activate based on power good signals from preceding regulators. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for designers to program complex sequencing logic in PLDs or debug discrete logic circuits, significantly reducing design and debugging time while ensuring proper power sequence requirements are met through automatic control
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple voltage regulators are used to support multiple voltage levels, then component operation at different voltages is enabled, but power rail sequencing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power distribution system into distinct stages, where each voltage regulator module operates independently with its own sequencing logic. By dividing the power rail establishment into sequential stages controlled by power good signals, the patent manages the complexity of multiple voltage levels through modular segmentation rather than monolithic control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses power good signals as intermediaries to coordinate between multiple voltage regulators supporting different voltage levels. These simple binary signals serve as mediators that enable each regulator to activate in the correct sequence without requiring complex inter-regulator communication or control logic, thereby reducing power rail sequencing complexity while maintaining multi-voltage adaptability
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and arrangements to establish power rails for a computer system in accordance with a sequence requirement are disclosed. Embodiments may interconnect voltage regulators for components of a platform in accordance with a sequence requirement for establishing power rails for proper operation of the platform. The voltage regulators may comprise enable inputs for enabling the establishment of power rails and power good signal outputs to indicate establishment of power rails. Some embodiments include interconnections to couple voltage regulators in a series of stages. Power good signals output by voltage regulators in one stage may enable inputs of voltage regulators in a subsequent stage. In many embodiments, such interconnections advantageously implement power sequence requirements with little or no need for glue logic and/or programmable logic devices, reducing costs and space requirements associated with implementing the power sequence. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.