METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CURRENT-CONTROLLED TRANSIENT REGULATION
Methods and apparatus for regulating power supply according to various aspects of the present invention operate in conjunction with an electronic system configured to interface with a primary voltage regulator. The electronic system comprises a load configured to receive supply current from the primary voltage regulator and a secondary voltage regulator. The secondary voltage regulator includes at least one current source coupled to the load and is configured to provide current to the load. The secondary voltage regulator further comprises a control circuit coupled to the current source and the load, which determines a current demand for the load exceeding the supply current received from the primary voltage regulator, and adjusts the current provided to the load by the current source according to the current demand.
1 . An electronic system configured to interface with a primary voltage regulator, comprising:
a load configured to receive supply current from the primary voltage regulator; and
a secondary voltage regulator, comprising:
a current source coupled to the load and configured to provide current to the load; and
a control circuit coupled to the current source and the load, wherein the control circuit is configured to:
determine a current demand for the load exceeding the supply current received from the primary voltage regulator; and
adjust the current provided to the load by the current source according to the current demand.
2 . An electronic system according to claim 1 , wherein the secondary voltage regulator is configured to respond to a change in the current demand faster than the primary voltage regulator.
3 . An electronic system according to claim 1 , wherein the secondary voltage regulator is configured to adjust the current provided to the load according to a nonlinear relationship with the current demand.
4 . An electronic system according to claim 1 , wherein the secondary voltage regulator is configured to adjust the current provided to the load according to a magnitude of a change in the current demand.
5 . An electronic system according to claim 1 , wherein the control circuit is configured to compare the current demand to a preselected threshold and adjust the current provided to the load according to the comparison.
6 . An electronic system according to claim 5 , wherein the control circuit is configured to:
compare the current demand to a first preselected threshold and a second preselected threshold, wherein the first threshold and second threshold have different magnitudes with respect to a target voltage;
adjust the current provided to the load according to the comparison to the thresholds.
7 . An electronic system according to claim 1 , wherein:
the load and the secondary voltage regulator are disposed in a single electronic package; and
the secondary voltage regulator is coupled directly to the load.
8 . A supplemental voltage regulator for providing supplemental current to a load configured to receive primary current from a primary voltage regulator, the supplemental voltage regulator comprising:
a control circuit responsive to a load voltage provided to the load by the primary voltage regulator; and
a current source responsive to the control circuit, wherein the current source is configured to provide a supplemental current to the load when the load voltage exceeds a threshold.
9 . A supplemental voltage regulator according to claim 8 , wherein the supplemental voltage regulator is configured to respond to a change in the load voltage faster than the primary voltage regulator.
10 . A supplemental voltage regulator according to claim 8 , wherein the supplemental voltage regulator is configured to adjust the current provided to the load according to a nonlinear relationship with the load voltage.
11 . A supplemental voltage regulator according to claim 8 , wherein the supplemental voltage regulator is configured to adjust the current provided to the load according to a magnitude of a change in the load voltage.
12 . A supplemental voltage regulator according to claim 8 , wherein the control circuit is configured to compare the load voltage to a preselected threshold and adjust the current provided to the load according to the comparison.
13 . A supplemental voltage regulator according to claim 12 , wherein the control circuit is configured to:
compare the load voltage to a first preselected threshold and a second preselected threshold, wherein the first threshold and second threshold have different magnitudes with respect to a target voltage;
adjust the current provided to the load according to the comparison to the thresholds.
14 . A supplemental voltage regulator according to claim 8 , wherein:
the load and the supplemental voltage regulator are disposed in a single electronic package; and
the supplemental voltage regulator is coupled directly to the load.
15 . An apparatus, comprising:
a processor in a processor package; and
a current controlled transient regulator (CCTR) in the processor package and coupled to the processor.
16 . An apparatus according to claim 15 , further comprising a decoupling capacitor coupled to a common connection between the processor and the CCTR.
17 . An apparatus according to claim 15 , further comprising:
a mounting substrate, wherein the processor package is coupled to the mounting substrate;
a power socket between the processor and the mounting substrate; and
a DC power converter voltage regulator on the mounting substrate and coupled to the processor in series with the CCTR.
18 . An apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein the CCTR comprises:
a first controlled current source for controlling positive transients; and
a second controlled current source for controlling negative transients.
19 . A method of controlling voltage transients for a dynamic load, comprising:
monitoring a load voltage at the load;
comparing the load voltage to a threshold;
within a first time period, adjusting the current provided by a first voltage regulator to make the load voltage approach a target voltage if the load voltage does not cross the threshold; and
within a second time period, adjusting the current provided by a second voltage regulator to make the load voltage approach the target voltage if the load voltage crosses the threshold.
20 . A method of controlling voltage transients according to claim 19 , wherein the second time period precedes the first time period.
21 . A method of controlling voltage transients according to claim 19 , adjusting the current provided by the second voltage regulator comprises adjusting the current provided by the second voltage regulator according to a nonlinear response with respect to the load voltage.
22 . A method of controlling voltage transients according to claim 19 , wherein the secondary voltage regulator and the load are disposed in a single package.