Digital low dropout regulator

A digital low dropout (LDO) regulator for generating an output voltage on an output from a source of an input voltage, the LDO comprising:na switch module to generate the output voltage,wherein:nthe switch module includes at least two parallel connected switches responsive to corresponding switch control signals to regulate a flow of energy from the input voltage source to the output; andeach of the at least two parallel connected switches have an on-state and an off-state; anda digital controller to sense the output voltage and to generate the switch control signals in response to the output voltage such that the output voltage is regulated to a predetermined amplitude,wherein the at least two conduction switches, the at least two inductors, and the at least two freewheeling switches are connected in a 1:−1 configuration such that the output voltage is approximately a negative of the input voltage.

A multi-chip module comprising:na first semiconductor die comprising a digital LDO regulator for generating an output voltage on an output from a source of an input voltage; anda second semiconductor die comprising a digital logic device that communicates with the first semiconductor die,wherein the digital LDO regulator comprises:na switch module to generate the output voltage,wherein:nthe switch module includes at least two parallel connected switches responsive to corresponding switch control signals to regulate a flow of energy from the input voltage source to the output; andeach of the at least two parallel connected switches have an on-state and an off-state; anda digital controller to sense the output voltage and to generate the switch control signals in response to the output voltage such that the output voltage is regulated to a predetermined amplitude.

A semiconductor device formed on a single semiconductor die, the semiconductor device comprising:na digital LDO regulator for generating an output voltage on an output from a source of an input voltage; anda digital logic device that communicates with the digital LDO regulator,wherein the digital LDO regulator comprises:na switch module to generate the output voltage,wherein:nthe switch module includes at least two parallel connected switches responsive to corresponding switch control signals to regulate a flow of energy from the input voltage source to the output; andeach of the at least two parallel connected switches have an on-state and an off-state; anda digital controller to sense the output voltage and to generate the switch control signals in response to the output voltage such that the output voltage is regulated to a predetermined amplitude.

A digital low dropout (LDO) regulator for generating an output voltage on an output from a source of an input voltage, the LDO comprising:nmeans for voltage generating to generate the output voltage,wherein:nthe means for voltage generating including at least two parallel connected means for switching responsive to corresponding switch control signals to regulate a flow of energy from the input voltage source to the output; andeach of the at least two parallel connected means for switching having an on-state and an off-state; andmeans for digital controlling to sense the output voltage and to generate the switch control signals in response to the output such that the output voltage is regulated to a predetermined amplitude,wherein:nthe means for voltage generating includes a coupled inductor regulator;the at least two parallel connected means for switching are a conduction switch array that is responsive to the switch control signals to generate the output voltage;each of the switch control signals have a duty cycle of approximately 50%; andthe coupled inductor regulator comprises:nat least two means for conduction switching to conduct energy from the source of the input voltage to the output;at least two inductors in communication with the at least two means for conduction switching,wherein:nthe at least two inductors are wound together on a common core;each of the at least two inductors has a polarity such that DC currents in the inductors cancel each other; andthe at least two inductors have coefficient of coupling approximately equal to one; andat least two means for freewheeling switching in communication with the at least two means for conduction switching to provide a path for current during non-conduction periods;the switch control signals each have a duty cycle of approximately 50% and are used to control the at least two means for conduction switching;each of the at least two means for conduction switching comprises a conduction switch array;the at least two means for conduction switching, the at least two inductors, and the at least two means for freewheeling switching are connected in a boost configuration such that the output voltage is approximately twice the amplitude of the input voltage; andthe boost configuration includes two boost regulators each operating at approximately 50% duty cycle, each boost regulator including; anda means for conduction switching in communication with a means for freewheeling switching and an inductor,wherein:nthe means for conduction switching to provide current during a conduction period from the a high side of the source of the input voltage through the inductor to a low side of the source of the input voltage; andthe means for freewheeling switching to provide a conduction path during the non-conduction period for current flowing from the high side of the source of the input voltage through the inductor to the output.

A digital low dropout (LDO) regulator for generating an output voltage on an output from a source of an input voltage, comprising:na switch module to generate the output voltage,wherein:nthe switch module includes at least two parallel connected switches responsive to corresponding switch control signals to regulate a flow of energy from the input voltage source to the output; andeach of the at least two parallel connected switches have an on-state and an off-state; anda digital controller to sense the output voltage and to generate the switch control signals in response to the output voltage such that the output voltage is regulated to a predetermined amplitude,wherein:nthe switch module is a coupled inductor regulator comprising at least a first switch pair and a second switch pair connected together through corresponding coupled inductors;each of the first switch pair and the second switch pair includes a conduction switch array in communication with a freewheeling switch array;the conduction switch array of the at least first switch pair including X≧1 parallel connected switches;the conduction switch array of the at least second switch pair includes N≧1 parallel connected switches;the freewheeling switch array of the at least first switch pair includes Y≧1 parallel connected switches; andthe freewheeling switch array of the at least second switch pair includes M≧1 parallel connected switches.

The digital LDO regulator of 22, wherein:nthe means for voltage generating is a coupled inductor regulator;the at least two parallel connected means for switching are at least one of a conduction switch array and a freewheeling switch array;the at least two parallel connected means is responsive to the switch control signals to generate the output voltage; andeach of the switch control signals have a duty cycle of approximately 50%.