Power supply start-up mechanism, apparatus, and method for controlling activation of power supply circuits

1. A power supply start-up sequencing mechanism for controlling activation of a plurality of power supply circuits with a predetermined timing, the mechanism comprising;

a time value generator arranged to provide a time value signal; and

for each of the power supply circuits, a logic circuit arranged to receive the time value signal, and from the received signal, provide an activation signal directly to its respective power supply circuit, wherein the activation signals collectively control a startup sequence encompassing all of said plurality of power supply circuits, wherein

the respective logic circuit is associated with a start timing value for the respective power supply circuit and wherein

the activation signal is provided when the associated start timing value coincides with the received time value signal.

2. The mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the associated start timing value is a register value.

3. The mechanism according to claim 2 , wherein the register value is stored in a non-volatile memory.

4. The mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the time value signal and the respective start timing values are binary represented by a plurality of bits.

5. The mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the time value generator comprises a counter circuit.

6. The mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the respective logic circuit comprises a comparator.

7. An apparatus comprising;

an electrical power source;

a plurality of power supply circuits receiving power from the electrical power source and being arranged to provide power to respective of a plurality of power consuming circuits; and

a power supply start-up sequencing mechanism according to claim 1 .

8. The apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the time value generator is reset upon start-up of the apparatus such that the time value signal starts from an initial value.

9. A method for controlling activation of a plurality of power supply circuits of an apparatus with a predetermined timing, the method comprising;

generating a time value signal;

receiving the time value signal at a logic circuit associated with each of the plurality of power supply circuits; and

determining if the time value signal coincides with a start timing value for the respective power supply circuit, and if they coincide, providing an activation signal directly to the respective power supply circuit, wherein the activation signals collectively control a startup sequence encompassing all of said plurality of power supply circuits.

10. The method according to claim 9 , further comprising retrieving the start timing value from a register value, wherein the register value is stored in a non-volatile memory.

11. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the determining of whether the start timing value and the time value signal coincide comprises comparing binary values represented, by a plurality of bits, values of the start timing value and the time value signal.

12. The method according to claim 9 , further comprising incrementing a value of the time value signal based on a clock signal.

13. The method according to claim 12 , further comprising resetting the value of the time value signal upon starting the apparatus.