CN100461041C

CN100461041C - On-board power supply monitor and power control system

Info

Publication number: CN100461041C
Application number: CNB200510080871XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 尼尔·Y·金; 皮特·沃恩坎普
Original assignee: Zyray Wireless Inc
Current assignee: Avago Technologies General IP Singapore Pte Ltd
Priority date: 2004-06-28
Filing date: 2005-06-28
Publication date: 2009-02-11
Anticipated expiration: 2025-06-28
Also published as: CN1728024A

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and method for controlling characteristics of supplied electrical power. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise an integrated circuit comprising a first circuit module that receives electrical power. The integrated circuit may comprise a second circuit module that monitors at least one characteristic of electrical power received by at least one of the first circuit module and the integrated circuit. The second circuit module may also communicate with a third circuit module regarding the monitored at least one characteristic. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise an integrated circuit comprising a first module that monitors at least one characteristic of electrical power received by a first electrical device that is external to the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit may also comprise a second module that communicates with a second electrical device, external to the integrated circuit, regarding the monitored at least one characteristic.

Description

On-board power control system and method

Technical field

The present invention relates to electronic technology field, particularly relate to a kind of on-board power supply monitor and power control system.

Background technology

Electronic system is utilized multiple subsystem or electronic circuit, and each all requires electric power source.This electronic system or circuit utilize single electric power source or multichannel electric power source.For example, original system or circuit can be in conjunction with any a large amount of various power supply circuit or modules like this.

The electric power characteristic that is supplied to electronic system changes in time, or has represented the non-unified state by the typical case (cross-section) of system or circuit.Change when for example but should not be limited to, the power supply voltage characteristic relevant with specific power supply is by circuit board.This variation by any a variety of causes as comprising that row is lost, current drift, the noise states of variation, the running environment of variation or the like institute causes.Therefore, in all cases, circuit can not receive respectively has the be not supposed to supply of electric power of receiving feature of electronic circuit.For example, electronic circuit can receive the electric power with feature that circuit characteristic reduces.

System can utilize the power supply with rule output.For example, the power supply circuit in the scope of allowing on a specific regular voltage levvl output power.Yet,,, should be different basically with power characteristic usually from power out-put characteristic of power supply circuit by the electronic circuit reception even be regular from the power out-put characteristic of power supply circuit owing to aforesaid reason.

Compare by the present invention who is disclosed in the other parts with this system and with reference to the accompanying drawings the application, conventional and classic method carry out that a step limits and shortcoming is conspicuous for the person of ordinary skill of the art.

Summary of the invention

Various aspects of the present invention provide a kind of system and method that is used to control the characteristic of supplied with electric power, show in conjunction with at least one accompanying drawing fully and/or describe, and propose in claim more up hill and dale.These and other advantage of the present invention, aspect and novel features, with its details of illustrational various aspects, will from following description and accompanying drawing, more fully be understood.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a kind of integrated circuit comprises:

First circuit module is used to receive electric power; And

The second circuit module comprises:

First submodule is used to monitor at least one characteristic of the electric power that is received one of at least by described first circuit module and described integrated circuit; And

Second submodule is connected to communication described first submodule, be used for about by the tertiary circuit module communication of described at least one characteristic of first submodule monitoring.

Preferably:

Described second circuit module comprises a power monitor module; And

Described tertiary circuit module comprises a power controller module.

Preferably, described tertiary circuit module is in the outside of described integrated circuit.

Preferably, the circuit module of the described tertiary circuit module external power supply circuit that is described integrated circuit.

Preferably, described tertiary circuit module is used for:

Reception is about the information of the electric power characteristic of a plurality of modules, and these a plurality of modules comprise the second circuit module;

Analyze received about the information of electric power characteristic to determine power control information; And

The power control information of determining is sent to provides the power of electric power supply circuit.

Preferably, the described tertiary circuit module needs that are used for the supply of power separately of priority separately by analyzing a plurality of modules and a plurality of modules are analyzed one of at least information about the electric power characteristic with definite power control information.

Preferably, at least one characteristic of described electric power comprises voltage characteristic.

Preferably, at least one characteristic of described electric power comprises that voltage levvl, voltage stability and voltage noise are one of at least.

Preferably, described second submodule is used for and tertiary circuit module exchange message, and this information comprises the information of at least one characteristic of described monitored electric power.

Preferably, described second submodule is used for and tertiary circuit module exchange message, and this information comprises power adjustments information.

According to an aspect of the present invention, provide a kind of method of controlling the electric power that offers this integrated circuit in integrated circuit, this method comprises:

At least one characteristic of the electric power that first circuit module of monitoring described integrated circuit and this integrated circuit receives one of at least; And

With the information of the electronic equipment of described integrated circuit outside exchange about at least one characteristic of described monitored electric power.

Preferably, the electronic equipment of described outside comprises a power controller module.

Preferably, the electronic equipment of described outside comprises provides the power supply circuit of electric power to described integrated circuit.

Preferably, described information about at least one monitored characteristic comprises the information of at least one monitored characteristic of described electric power.

Preferably, described information about at least one monitored characteristic comprises power adjustments information.

Preferably, this method further comprises:

Monitor the characteristic of the electric power of a plurality of circuit modules receptions, these a plurality of circuit modules comprise first circuit module;

The information of characteristic of analyzing described monitored electric power is to determine power control information; And

The power control information of determining is sent to provides the power supply circuit of electric power to described a plurality of circuit modules.

Preferably, the information of analyzing monitored characteristic comprises that the needs of performance separately of the priority separately of analyzing described a plurality of circuit modules and a plurality of circuit modules are one of at least with definite power control information.

First module is used to monitor at least one characteristic of the electric power that first electronic equipment by the integrated circuit outside receives;

Second module, be used for described integrated circuit outside about being communicated by letter by second electronic equipment of at least one characteristic of the first module monitors electric power.

Preferably, described second electronic equipment comprises the power controller circuit.

Preferably, described second electronic equipment comprises the power supply circuit of the electric power that the reception of first electronic equipment is provided.

Preferably, at least one characteristic of the electric power of described first electronic equipment reception comprises voltage characteristic.

Preferably, described second module is used to and the described second electronic equipment exchange message, and this information comprises the information of at least one monitored characteristic of described electric power.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the invention provides a kind of power control system, comprising:

Receive first electronic equipment of electric power;

Receive second electronic equipment of electric power;

The power supply circuit of electric power to described first electronic equipment and described second electronic equipment is provided;

The integrated circuit that comprises first module and second module, wherein, at least one characteristic of the electric power that at least one characteristic of the electric power that described first electronic equipment of described first module monitors receives and described second electronic equipment receive, described second module communicate by letter with the 3rd electronic equipment be relevant to by described first module monitors to the information of at least one characteristic of electric power;

Described the 3rd electronic equipment receives the information from least one characteristic that is relevant to electric power of described second module, and the information of handling described reception to be determining power control information, and transmits described power control information and give described power supply circuit.

Preferably, the information that described the 3rd electronic equipment is handled described reception further comprises: described the 3rd electronic equipment is adjudicated between described first electronic equipment and second electronic equipment, and the power supply requirement and/or the priority of described first electronic equipment and second electronic equipment is considered in described judgement.

Preferably, described power control information comprises regulating and controlling request or order.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the present invention also provides a kind of method of power controlling, and described method comprises:

Monitor at least one characteristic of the electric power of first electronic equipment reception;

Monitor at least one characteristic of the electric power of second electronic equipment reception;

Processing is relevant to the information of at least one characteristic of at least one characteristic of the electric power that described first electronic equipment that monitors receives and the electric power that described second electronic equipment receives to determine power control information;

Transmit described power control information to the power supply circuit of electric power to described first electronic equipment and second electronic equipment is provided.

Preferably, the information that processing is relevant at least one characteristic of at least one characteristic of the electric power that described first electronic equipment that monitors receives and the electric power that described second electronic equipment receives further comprises: adjudicate between described first electronic equipment and second electronic equipment, the power supply requirement and/or the priority of described first electronic equipment and second electronic equipment is considered in described judgement.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the structural representation according to the exemplary power control system of various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is the structural representation according to the exemplary power control system of various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is the process flow diagram according to the method for the exemplary power controlling of various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is the process flow diagram according to the method for the exemplary power controlling of various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is the structural representation according to the exemplary power control system of various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is the structural representation according to the exemplary power control system of various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is the process flow diagram according to the method for the exemplary power controlling of various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is the process flow diagram according to the method for the exemplary power controlling of various aspects of the present invention.

Embodiment

Fig. 1 shows the diagram according to the exemplary power control system 100 of various aspects of the present invention.As previously mentioned, this exemplary system 100 comprises integrated circuit 110, and it receives electric power 115.This integrated circuit 110 comprises the characteristic of any various large-scale integrated circuit.For example and not should be limited to, this integrated circuit 110 comprises signal processing circuit, microprocessor, special IC, programmable logic array, memory circuit, multi-chip module, microcontroller or the like.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to a kind of characteristic of specific integrated circuit type.

Exemplary integrated circuit 110 comprises first circuit module 120, and it receives electronic power 121.This electronic power 121 can be as identical or inequality with the electric power 115 that receives by integrated circuit 110.For example, should be by first circuit module 120 received electronic power 121 be relevant to electric power 115 that (as originating from) received by integrated circuit 110 or for independently.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the characteristic by any particular kind of relationship between integrated circuit 110, first circuit module 120 or any other module or electronic power that element received.

This first circuit module 120 comprises the characteristic of any a large amount of various circuit modules.For example but should not be limited to, this first circuit module 120 comprises signal processing module, microprocessor module, special module, programmable logic array, memory module, a plurality of continuous submodule, micro controller module or the like.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the characteristic of particular electrical circuit module type.

This exemplary system 100 comprises second circuit module 130.This exemplary second circuit module 130 comprises first submodule 132 and second submodule 134.This second circuit module 130 for example but should not be limited to and comprise the characteristic of monitoring electric power and the power monitor module that will the information relevant with this supervisory control action sends out.

This first submodule 132 can be as monitoring at least one characteristic by the electric power 115 of integrated circuit 110 receptions.Also for example, this first submodule 132 can be monitored at least one characteristic of the electric power 121 of first circuit module, 120 receptions.But note at least one characteristic of the electric power that these first submodule, 132 monitoring ics 110 and/or first circuit module 120 receive.

The characteristic of monitored electric power comprises any various electric power characteristic.For example but should not be limited to, this specific character comprise voltage characteristic as, for example, voltage levvl (as level or abswolute level relatively), voltage stability (as, voltage drift, mains ripple and disturbance response characteristic), and noise.Also for example, this specific character comprises current characteristics, for example, levels of current (as level or abswolute level relatively), current stability (as, current drift, pulsation of current and disturbance response characteristic).Further for example, this specific character comprise the electric power characteristic as, for example, power level, energy level or the like.Generally speaking, the monitored characteristic of electric power comprises any various electric power characteristic.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to one or more specific electric power characteristics.

Should be noted that the one or more characteristic of a plurality of electric power that 132 monitoring of this first submodule are received one of at least by integrated circuit 110 and first circuit module 120.For example, first circuit module 120 can receive the input of a plurality of electric power (as, 1.0V input, 1.2V input and 2.5V input), its characteristic can be by 132 monitoring of first submodule.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the monitored power input of a specific quantity of integrated circuit and/or circuit module.

Notice first submodule 132 can utilize any a large amount of various known or still at developing equipment with monitoring electric power characteristic.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to and be used to monitor the specific equipment of various electric power characteristics or the characteristic of method.

First submodule 132 of at least one electric power characteristic that the monitoring ic 110 and/or first circuit module 120 receive is for example understood by this exemplary system 100.At least one electric power characteristic that this first submodule 132 also can receive as other circuit module of monitoring ic 110.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the circuit module of specific quantity of characteristic of electric power of the reception of first submodule 132 monitoring.

The second circuit module 130 of exemplary system 100 comprises second submodule 134, its by communication be connected to first submodule 132, and the tertiary circuit module 140,140 ' relevant with at least one characteristic of being monitored by first submodule 132 communicates.As shown in Figure 1, tertiary circuit module 140,140 ' can be the tertiary circuit module 140 that is integrated in integrated circuit 110 inside, or is the tertiary circuit module 140 ' of integrated circuit 110 outsides.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to tertiary circuit module 140,140 ' ad-hoc location.

Second submodule 134 and tertiary circuit module 140 exchange messages.This information can be as comprising the information of the characteristic that at least one is monitored.Under an exemplary situation, 132 monitoring of first submodule are by the voltage levvl characteristic of the electric power 121 of first circuit module, 120 receptions, and second submodule 134 can exchange and the monitored relevant information of voltage levvl with tertiary circuit module 140.For example, this information comprises the information of describing monitored voltage levvl (relative or absolute).This information for example comprises the information (as the threshold comparison instruction of a, bit) of relative low-res or the information of high-res (as, millivolt voltage levvl resolution) relatively.

Also for example, second submodule 134 can comprise the information of power adjustments information with 140 exchanges of tertiary circuit module.This power adjustments packets of information can comprise power adjustments request or power adjustment commands.This power adjustments information comprises request or the order by relative quantity or absolute quantity regulating power.Under an exemplary situation, first submodule, 132 monitoring voltage pulse characteristics, this second submodule 134 is sent to the tertiary circuit module 140 that this voltage levvl of indication should be lowered with information.The complexity of this second submodule 134 can change significantly.For example, under the first exemplary situation, this second submodule 134 comprises a plurality of signal Processing electronic circuits, each signal Processing of signal Processing electronic circuit execution or communication operation (as, A/D conversion, data processing, packing data, single worker or duplex data communication or the like).Under the second exemplary situation, second submodule 134 comprises the information of a minimum path (as lead or light-path) to obtain by first submodule 132.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the characteristic of the module complicacy of specific degrees.

As previously mentioned, this first submodule 132 monitors the power characteristic of a plurality of receptions that the power of a plurality of receptions of a plurality of circuit modules is imported.Therefore, this second submodule 134 can exchange information about any, some or all of so monitored received power characteristics with tertiary circuit module 140.

Generally, this second submodule 134 can be communicated by letter with the tertiary circuit module 140,140 ' of the power characteristic that is relevant at least one reception of being monitored by first module 132.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the characteristic of the particular type of information that is relevant to a monitored power characteristic that specific monitored power characteristic maybe can be transmitted.

As previously mentioned, this exemplary system 100 comprises tertiary circuit module 140,140 ', second submodule 134 and the information of its exchange about at least one monitored power characteristic.Equally as previously mentioned, tertiary circuit module 140 is positioned at the inside of integrated circuit 110, or tertiary circuit module 140 ' is positioned at the outside of integrated circuit 110.Following discussion can refer to inner tertiary circuit module 140 or outside tertiary circuit module 140 '.This exemplary reference never means tertiary circuit module 140,140 ' each side is limited to inside or outside framework with respect to integrated circuit 110.

For example but should not be limited to, this tertiary circuit module 140 comprises a power controller module.For example, tertiary circuit module 140 can handle be received in second submodule 134 information to determine to be used to the power control information of power controlling supply circuit.

Under an exemplary situation, tertiary circuit module 140 is positioned at the inside of integrated circuit 110, tertiary circuit module 140 receives the information that is relevant to from least one monitored electric power characteristic of the 3rd submodule 134, and handles this information to determine the power adjustments request.Then, this power adjustments request of determining of tertiary circuit module 140 transmission to power supply circuit changes the various aspects of the electric power of supply to require this power supply circuit.

Under another exemplary situation, tertiary circuit module 140 ' is positioned at the outside of integrated circuit 110, this tertiary circuit module 140 ' can receive be relevant to from integrated circuit 110 (as, derive from second submodule 134) the information of at least one monitored power characteristic, and handle this information to determine power adjustment commands.This tertiary circuit module 140 ' transmits this power adjustments request of determining to power supply circuit then and changes the various aspects of the electric power of supply to cause the power supply circuit.

Under further exemplary situation, tertiary circuit module 140 ' is positioned at the outside of integrated circuit 110 and is positioned at the inside of power supply integrated circuit, the tertiary circuit module 140 ' of power supply integrated circuit can receive be relevant to from integrated circuit 110 (as, derive from second submodule 134) the information of at least one monitored power characteristic, and handle this information to determine the power adjustments signal.The tertiary circuit module 140 ' of power supply integrated circuit utilizes this power adjustments information to regulate the various aspects of exporting from the electric power of this power supply integrated circuit to cause this power supply integrated circuit then.

Generally, this tertiary circuit module 140,140 ' can be positioned at the inside of integrated circuit 110, can be positioned at integrated circuit 110, the outside of the part or the like of integrated circuit, power supply integrated circuit independently.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to a specific circuit position or the integrated characteristic of circuit.

As previously mentioned, the information of the one or more monitored power characteristic of the electric power of tertiary circuit module 140 a plurality of modules of reception and/or integrated circuit reception.The information of handling this reception is with in the process of determining power supply control information, and this tertiary circuit module 140 is handled the information of this reception with any the whole bag of tricks.

For example but should not be limited to, this tertiary circuit module 140 can be adjudicated between various modules and/or integrated circuit.This judgement can, for example, comprise the supply requirement of power separately of considering a plurality of modules and/or integrated circuit.This judgement can, for example, comprise the priority separately of considering a plurality of modules and/or integrated circuit.For example, this judgement comprises according to the electric power target or the demand of limit priority module and determines power control information.Also for example, this judgement comprises based on basis for priority or Demand Base weighted mean value and determines power control information.Generally, this judgement is included between the power supply requirement of various modules and/or integrated circuit and adjudicates.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the characteristic of specific arbitration schemes.

This tertiary circuit module 140 is sent to power control information the power supply circuit of electric power to integrated circuit 110, first circuit module 120 or other circuit module or integrated circuit is provided.This power control information comprises the control signal of the operation of direct power controlling supply circuit.This power control information comprises power supply request or order, and it can be explained by the power supply circuit that receives this request or order and handle.This power control information comprises any various information of the monitored electric power that is relevant to integrated circuit 110, first circuit module 120, other circuit module or integrated circuit or the like reception.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the specific purpose of this power control information.

Exemplary system 100 shown in Figure 1 and aforementioned only be exemplary, and be the non-limiting part of various aspects of the present invention.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the feature of example system 100.

Fig. 2 shows the exemplary power control system 200 according to various aspects of the present invention.This exemplary system 200 such as but not limited to, share the various features of exemplary system 100 shown in Figure 1 and previously discussed.

This exemplary system 200 comprises the integrated circuit 210 that can receive electric power 215,245.The part of this exemplary integrated circuit 210 can be as the various features of the exemplary integrated circuit 110 of sharing system 100 shown in Figure 1 and previously discussed.

This exemplary system 200 comprises provides the power supply circuit 280 of electric power 215,245 to integrated circuit 210.This exemplary power supply circuit 280 comprises that electromotive power output 215 gives integrated circuit 210 and/or one or first power output module 282 of multimode more.This exemplary power supply circuit 280 comprises second power output module 284 of electromotive power output 245 to integrated circuit 210.Attention is output from second power output module 284 from second power of power supply circuit 280 output 245, or (as indicated by a dotted line) from the output of first power output module 282.Therefore, export from the output 245 of second power of power supply circuit 280 and first power 215 relevant or independently.

This exemplary power supply circuit 280 comprises control interface (I/F) module 286, and by this control interface module 286, the electronic equipment of these power supply circuit 280 outsides can communicate with power supply circuit 280.For example but should not be limited to, the electronic equipment of these power supply circuit 280 outsides can use this control interface module 286 and power supply circuit 280 exchange power control informations.

This power supply circuit 280 comprises any multiple power supply circuit feature.For example but should not be limited to, this power supply circuit 280 can be an independently power supply integrated circuit.This power supply circuit 280 comprises discrete active and passive electronic component.This power supply circuit 280 comprises one or more linear or non-linear adjusters.This power supply circuit 280 comprises simulation, numeral or hybrid circuit.This power supply circuit 280 comprises one or more independent may command outputs.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the feature of the particular type of power supply circuit.

This exemplary integrated circuit 210 comprises first circuit module 220 that receives electric power 221.This first circuit module 220 for example but should not be limited to is shared the various features of the first exemplary circuit module 120 of system 100 shown in Figure 1 and previously discussed.

Similarly, this exemplary integrated circuit 210 comprises second circuit module 230.This second circuit module 230 for example but should not be limited to exemplary second circuit module 130 and the aforesaid various feature of sharing the system 100 shown in 1.

Further, this exemplary integrated circuit 210 comprises tertiary circuit module 240.This tertiary circuit module 240 for example but should not be limited to and share shown in 1 and the various features of the exemplary tertiary circuit module 140 of system 100 previously discussed.

This exemplary integrated circuit 210 comprises the 4th circuit module 250 that receives electric power 251.The 4th circuit module 250 for example but should not be limited to the various features of sharing first circuit module 220.

Identical or different by the electric power 251 that the 4th circuit module 250 receives with the electric power 245 that receives by integrated circuit 210.For example, the electric power 251 that is received by the 4th circuit module 250 is relevant to electric power 245 or the independence that (as deriving from) received by integrated circuit 210.Also for example, the electric power 251 that is received by the 4th circuit module 250 is relevant to or does not rely on electric power 215 that is received by integrated circuit 210 or the electric power 221 that is received by first circuit module 220.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the electric power 215,245 that is received by integrated circuit 210, the electric power 221,251 that first circuit module 220 and the 4th circuit module 250 receive, or the feature of any relation between the electric power that receives by other any module or element.

The 4th circuit module 250 comprises the feature of any multiple circuit module.For example but should not be limited to, the 4th circuit module 250 comprises submodule, micro controller module of signal processing module, microprocessor module, application-specific module, programmable logic array, memory module, a plurality of connections or the like.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the characteristic of particular electrical circuit module type.

This exemplary system 200 comprises the 5th circuit module 260.The 5th circuit module 260 for example but should not be limited to the various features that comprise control module or shared second circuit module 230.

For example, the 5th circuit module 260 comprises first submodule 262 and second submodule 264.The 5th circuit module 260 for example but should not be limited to comprises the power controller module, and its monitoring electric power characteristic and transmission are relevant to the information of this supervisory control action.

262 monitoring of first submodule are received from least one characteristic of the electric power 245 of integrated circuit 210.Also for example, first submodule 262 can be monitored at least one characteristic of the electric power 251 of other module that is received from the 4th circuit module 250 and/or integrated circuit 210.Notice that this first submodule 262 can monitor at least one characteristic of the electric power that is received from integrated circuit 210 and/or the 4th circuit module 250.

Should be noted that this first submodule 262 can be monitored by integrated circuit 210 receives and the one or more characteristic of the input of a plurality of electric power of the 4th circuit module 250 receptions.For example, a plurality of electric power inputs of the 4th circuit module 250 receptions (as, 1.0V input, 1.2V input and a 2.5V input), its characteristic can be monitored by first submodule 262.Therefore, the scope of the various aspects of the present invention monitored power that should not be limited to a specific quantity inputs to integrated circuit and/or circuit module.

Notice that this first submodule 262 can utilize any a large amount of various known or still in developing monitoring of tools electric power characteristic.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to and be used to monitor the specific equipment of various electric power characteristics or the feature of method.

First submodule 262 of at least one characteristic of monitoring the electric power that is received from integrated circuit 210 and/or the 4th circuit module 250 is for example understood by this exemplary system 200.This first submodule 262 is gone back at least one characteristic of the electric power that other circuit module of monitoring ic 210 receives.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the circuit module of specific quantity of the electric power characteristic of the reception monitored by first submodule 262.

The 4th circuit module 260 of exemplary system 100 comprises second submodule 264, its by communication be connected to first submodule 262, and the tertiary circuit module 240 relevant with at least one power characteristic of being monitored by first submodule 262 communicates.As shown in Figure 2, tertiary circuit module 240 can be integrated in the inside of integrated circuit 210.Yet this tertiary circuit module 240 not demand is positioned at the inside of integrated circuit 210.The scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the ad-hoc location of tertiary circuit module 240.

Second submodule 264 and tertiary circuit module 240 exchange messages.This information comprises the information of the power characteristic of the reception that at least one is monitored.Under an exemplary situation, first submodule 262 is monitored the voltage levvl characteristic of the electric power of the 4th circuit module 250 receptions that are relevant to operating speed, and second submodule 264 can exchange and the monitored relevant information of voltage levvl with tertiary circuit module 240.For example, this information comprises (relative or absolute) monitored voltage levvl of description.This information comprises the information (as the threshold comparison instruction of a, bit) of relative low-res or the information of high-res (as, millivolt voltage resolution) relatively.

Also for example, second submodule 264 exchanges the information that comprises power adjustments information with tertiary circuit module 240.Under an exemplary situation, first submodule, 262 monitor voltage pulse characteristics, this second submodule 264 is sent to the tertiary circuit module 240 that this mains ripple characteristic of indication should be lowered with information.This power adjustments information comprises the request of power adjustments or the order of power adjustments.

As previously mentioned, the power characteristic of a plurality of receptions of a plurality of function aspects of a plurality of circuit modules of these first submodule, 262 supervision.Therefore, this second submodule 264 communicates by some or all of this monitored characteristics and tertiary circuit module 240.

Generally, this second submodule 264 can communicate by the relevant tertiary circuit module 240 of at least one received power characteristic that first submodule 262 is monitored.Therefore, the scope of the various aspects of the present invention feature about the particular type of a monitored power characteristic information that should not be limited to the power characteristic of a specific monitored reception or be transmitted.

As previously mentioned, this exemplary system 200 comprises that tertiary circuit module 240, the second submodules 264 can communicate with the information about at least one monitored power characteristic.For example but should not be limited to, tertiary circuit module 240 comprises the power controller module.For example, tertiary circuit module 240 can be handled the information that receives from second submodule 264 to be identified for the power control information of power controlling supply circuit.

Under an exemplary situation, tertiary circuit module 240 receives the information that is relevant to from least one monitored electric power characteristic of the 3rd submodule 264, and handles this information to determine power adjustments request (or order).Tertiary circuit module 240 transmits this power adjustments request of determining to power supply circuit then and changes the various aspects of the electric power of supply to ask this power supply circuit.For example, tertiary circuit module 240 can be sent to the power adjustments request at least one of second power output module 284 of first power output module 282 and power supply circuit 280 by control interface module 286.Power supply circuit 280 then by the feature of regulating one or more electric power outputs from power supply circuit 280 in response to this power adjustments request that is transmitted (or order).

As previously mentioned, tertiary circuit module 240 receives the power characteristic that is relevant to one or more monitored a plurality of modules and/or integrated circuit reception.In handling the process of received information with definite power supply control information, tertiary circuit module 240 can be handled the information that receives with any several different methods.

For example but should not be limited to, tertiary circuit module 240 can be adjudicated between various modules and/or integrated circuit.This judgement comprises the supply requirement of power separately of considering a plurality of modules and/or integrated circuit.This judgement comprises the priority separately of a plurality of modules of independent consideration and/or integrated circuit.For example, this judgement comprises according to the power supply requirement of limit priority module and determines power control information.Also for example, this judgement comprises based on basis for priority or Demand Base weighted mean value and determines power control information.

Under an exemplary situation, tertiary circuit module 240 can receive the monitored power characteristic information that reaches from second submodule 264 of the 5th circuit module 260 about second submodule 234 from second circuit module 230.Under this exemplary situation, tertiary circuit module 240 is determined the electric power target of first circuit modules 220 or electric power target or the demand that demand exceeds the 4th circuit module 250, and determines based on the power supply control information of the electric power target of first circuit module 220 or demand and about the information of the monitored power characteristic that received from second submodule 234.

Alternatively, for example, under an exemplary situation, tertiary circuit module 240 is determined the demand of first circuit module 220 and the 4th circuit module 250, and determine, and the power supply requirement of the 4th circuit module 250 and the monitored electric power characteristic that is received from the 5th circuit module 260 based on the power supply control information of the essentially identical power supply requirement of first circuit module 220 and the monitored power characteristic that is received from second circuit module 230.

Generally, this judgement comprises the judgement between the power supply requirement of various modules.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the restriction of the feature of a specific arbitration schemes.

Tertiary circuit module 240 is sent to power control information the power supply circuit 280 of electric power to integrated circuit 210, first circuit module 220, the 4th circuit module 250 or other circuit module or integrated circuit is provided.This tertiary circuit module 240 is sent to power supply circuit 280 by control interface module 286 with power control information.

This power control information comprises the control signal of the operation of direct power controlling supply circuit 280 (as first power output module 282 and/or second power output module 284).This power control information comprises power supply request or order, the power supply circuit 280 that it can be by receiving this request or order (as, control interface module 286) and explained and handle.This power control information comprises the monitored electric power information that is received by integrated circuit 210 that is relevant to integrated circuit 210, first circuit module 220, the 4th circuit module 250 or other circuit module or integrated circuit or the like.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the feature of certain power control information or the specific purpose of this power control information.

Exemplary system 200 shown in Figure 2 and previously discussed only is exemplary, and is the non-limiting part that is used to illustrate various aspects of the present invention.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention never should be limited to the characteristic of example system 200.

The for example clear exemplary power controlling method 330 according to various aspects of the present invention of Fig. 3 (as, in an integrated circuit).This exemplary method 300 for example but should not be limited to share about Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 the various functional characteristics discussed of illustrational exemplary system 100,200.On the contrary, Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 various modules of addressing exemplary system 100,200 previously discussed can carry out to discuss about Fig. 3 functional various aspects of illustrational exemplary method 30.

This exemplary method 300 starts from step 310.This exemplary method 300 starts from the response of any a variety of causes and condition.For example but should not be limited to, when a system start method 300 that is just moving, this method 300 automatically begins.Alternatively, for example, method 300 starts from the response of clear and definite initiation command (as the order from another module or user in the system).Further for example, method 300 starts from surveying the response of service condition.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the feature limits of any specific beginning incident or condition.

At least one electric power characteristic that exemplary method 300 comprises monitoring ic and integrated circuit on step 320 first circuit module is received one of at least.For example but should not be limited to, step 320 comprises by exemplary system 100 shown in Figure 1 and aforesaid first submodule 132 and the functional characteristic of electric power.

The integrated circuit and/or first circuit module comprise any multiple integrated circuit or modular character.For example but should not be limited to, this integrated circuit and/or module comprise signal processing circuit, microcontroller circuit, ASIC(Application Specific Integrated Circuit), programmable logic array, memory circuit, multi-chip module, microcontroller or the like.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to a kind of specific integrated circuit or the characteristic of module type.

The electric power that is received by first circuit module of integrated circuit is with identical or different by the electric power that integrated circuit received.For example, the electric power that is received by first circuit module can be relevant with the electric power that is received by integrated circuit (as, derive from).Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to by any relationship characteristic between first circuit module of integrated circuit, integrated circuit or any module or electric power that element received.

The characteristic of monitored electric power comprises any multiple electric power characteristic.For example but should not be limited to, this specific character comprise voltage characteristic as, for example, voltage levvl (as level or abswolute level relatively), voltage stability (as, voltage drift, mains ripple and disturbance response characteristic) and noise.Also for example, this specific character comprise current characteristics as, for example, levels of current (as level or abswolute level relatively), current stability (as, current drift, pulsation of current and disturbance response characteristic).Further for example, this specific character comprise the electric power characteristic as, for example, power level, energy level or the like.Generally, the monitored characteristic of electric power comprises any various electric power characteristic.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to one or more specific electric power characteristics.

Should be noted that exemplary step 320 comprises the one or more characteristics of monitoring by a plurality of electric power inputs of first circuit module reception of at least one integrated circuit.For example, first circuit module can receive the input of a plurality of electric power (as, 1.0V input, 1.2V input and a 2.5V input), the characteristic of step 320 comprises monitoring.Therefore, the scope of the various aspects of the present invention monitored power that should not be limited to a specific quantity inputs to integrated circuit and/or circuit module.

Equally, step 320 comprises the characteristic of at least one electric power of the circuit module reception of monitoring other integrated circuit.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the circuit module of a specific quantity, and wherein step 320 comprises at least one electric power characteristic of monitoring.

Exemplary method 300 comprises on step 330 with the tertiary circuit module carries out transmission about the characteristic information of at least one monitored electric power.This tertiary circuit module comprises IC interior or circuit external.For example but should not be limited to, step 330 is shared by exemplary system 100 shown in Figure 1 and aforesaid second submodule 134 and functional various characteristics of electric power.This electronic equipment for example but should not be limited to is positioned at the outside of integrated circuit.Equally, under the exemplary situation of various indefinitenesses, this electronic equipment can be positioned at the inside of integrated circuit.

This electronic equipment outside of integrated circuit (as be positioned at) comprises the feature of any various electronic equipments.For example but should not be limited to, this electronic equipment comprises the exemplary system 100 shown in Figure 1 and the feature of aforesaid tertiary circuit module 140 (140 ').Also for example, this tertiary circuit module comprises the feature of exemplary system 200 shown in Figure 2 and aforesaid tertiary circuit module 240 and/or control interface module 286.

For example, this electronic equipment comprises the power controller module.This power controller module is independent circuits module or stand-alone integrated circuit.This power controller module is an element of power supply circuit (as, power supply integrated circuit).This electronic equipment comprises provides the power supply circuit of power to first circuit module of integrated circuit and/or integrated circuit.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the feature of a specific electronic equipment set (as the outside of integrated circuit).

The information that is relevant at least one monitored electric power characteristic comprises any a large amount of information type.For example but should not be limited to, this information comprises the information of at least one monitored characteristic.Under an exemplary situation, step 320 comprises the voltage levvl characteristic of monitoring by the electric power that integrated circuit received, and step 330 comprises with electronic equipment communicates by letter about monitored voltage levvl information.For example, this information comprises the monitored voltage levvl information (relative or absolute) of describing.This information comprises the information (as the threshold comparison instruction of a, bit) of relative low-res or the information of high-res (as, millivolt resolution) relatively.

Also for example, step 330 comprises communicating by letter with electronic equipment and comprises the information of power adjustments information.Under an exemplary situation, step 320 comprises monitoring voltage pulsation feature, step 330 comprise with information be sent to instructed voltage pulsation level should reduce (as, by increasing or a specific quantity) electronic equipment.This power adjustments information comprises power adjustments request or power adjustment commands.

Step 330 also comprises the information of determining to be sent to the tertiary circuit module.Thisly determine on complicacy, can change significantly.For example, under the first exemplary situation, step 330 comprises that electrical power signal is handled and/or the information communication action (as, A/D conversion, data processing, packing data, single worker or duplex data communication or the like) array.Under the second exemplary situation, step 330 only exchanges the information in step 320.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the information processing of specific degrees or the characteristic of communication complexity.Determining in addition exchanges to the illustrative aspects of the information of tertiary circuit module and will discuss in the method 400 of Fig. 4.

As previously mentioned, step 320 is included as the power characteristic of a plurality of receptions of power input of a plurality of receptions of circuit module.Therefore, step 330 comprises and the electronic equipment communication information about any, some or all of this monitored characteristics.

Generally, exemplary step 330 comprise with electronic equipment (as, the outside of integrated circuit) communication about step 320 the power characteristic of monitored at least one reception.Therefore, the scope of the various aspects of the present invention information about the particular type of monitored power characteristic that should not be limited to specific monitored power characteristic or be transmitted.

Fig. 4 for example understands the exemplary power controlling method according to various aspects of the present invention.This exemplary method 400, for example but should not be limited to and share the various features that Fig. 3 addresses illustrative methods 300 previously discussed.Further for example, this exemplary method 400 is shared various functional feature of addressing example system 100,200 previously discussed about Fig. 1 and Fig. 2.

This exemplary method 400 starts from step 410.This exemplary method 400 starts from the response of any a variety of causes and condition.For example but should not be limited to, when a system start method 400 that is just moving, this method 400 automatically begins.Alternatively, for example, method 400 starts from the response of clear and definite initiation command (as the order from another module or user in the system).Further for example, method 400 starts from surveying the response of service condition.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the feature limits of any specific beginning incident or condition.

At least one electric power characteristic that first circuit module that this exemplary method 400 comprises monitoring (as, the inside of integrated circuit) first integrated circuit and integrated circuit in step 420 is received one of at least.For example but should not be limited to, step 420 is shared the various features that Fig. 3 addresses the step 320 of illustrative methods 300 previously discussed.Equally for example, step 420 is shared the functional various features of electric power that Fig. 1 addresses first submodule, 132 execution of example system 100 previously discussed, and Fig. 2 addresses the functional various features of electric power of first submodule, 232 execution of example system 200 previously discussed.

At least one electric power characteristic that exemplary method 400 comprises monitoring (as, the inside of integrated circuit) first integrated circuit and integrated circuit on step 430 first circuit module is received one of at least.For example, though be about the second circuit module rather than first circuit module, step 430 is shared the various features of step 420.

Exemplary method 400 comprises the power control information of determining to come from the electric power specificity analysis of being monitored on

step

420 and 430 on step 440.For example but should not be limited to, step 440 is shared various functional feature of discussing about second submodule 134 and the 3rd submodule 140 fronts that Fig. 1 addresses example system 100 previously discussed, reaches various functional feature that discuss the 3rd submodule 240 fronts that Fig. 2 addresses example system 200 previously discussed.

This power control information comprises the control signal as the operation of direct power controlling supply circuit.This power control information comprises that as power supply request or order it can be explained by the power supply circuit that receives this request or order and handle.This power control information is included in step 420 and the 430 monitored any various information that are relevant to monitored electric power characteristic.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the feature of certain power control information.

Step 440 comprises the electric power characteristic of monitoring by

analytical procedure

420 and 430 and determines power control information with any the whole bag of tricks.For example but should not be limited to, step 440 is included between various modules and/or integrated circuit and adjudicates.This judgement comprises the supply requirement of power separately of considering a plurality of modules and/or integrated circuit.This judgement comprises the priority separately of considering a plurality of modules and/or integrated circuit.For example, this judgement comprises according to the power supply requirement of limit priority module and determines power control information.Also for example, this judgement comprises based on basis for priority or Demand Base weighted mean value and determines power control information.

Under an exemplary situation, step 440 comprise processing about first circuit module (as, step 420 is monitored) characteristic information of the electric power that received, and about the second circuit module (as, step 430 is monitored) characteristic information of the electric power that received.Under this exemplary situation, step 440 comprises that the power supply requirement of determining first circuit module exceeds the power supply requirement of second circuit module, and determines based on the power supply control information of the power supply requirement of first circuit module and the electric power characteristic information that receives about first circuit module.

Under another exemplary situation, step 440 comprise processing about first circuit module (as, step 420 is monitored) the electric power characteristic information that received, and about the second circuit module (as, step 430 is monitored) the electric power characteristic information that received.Under this exemplary situation, step 440 comprises that the power supply requirement of determining first circuit module equals the power supply requirement of second circuit module, and determine comparably based on the power supply control information of the power supply requirement of first circuit module and the electric power characteristic information that is received about first circuit module, the power supply control information of the power supply requirement of second circuit module and the electric power characteristic information that is received about the second circuit module.

Still under another exemplary situation, step 440 comprise processing about first circuit module (as, step 420 is monitored) the electric power characteristic information that received, and about the second circuit module (as, step 430 is monitored) the electric power characteristic information that received.Under this exemplary situation, step 440 comprises that the power supply requirement of determining first circuit module preferentially is higher than the power supply requirement of second circuit module, and determine based on the power supply control information of the weighted mean value of the basis for priority of the power supply requirement of first circuit module and the electric power characteristic information that is received about first circuit module, the power supply control information of the power supply requirement of second circuit module and the electric power characteristic information that is received about the second circuit module.

Generally, exemplary step 440 comprises the power control information of the analysis of determining to locate the electric power characteristic that step 420 and step 430 monitor.

Exemplary method 400 comprises power control information (as determined in step 440) is sent on step 450 provides the power supply circuit of electric power to first and second circuit module.For example but should not be limited to, step 450 is shared the various features that Fig. 3 addresses the step 330 of exemplary method 300 previously discussed.Also for example, step 450 is shared Fig. 1 and is addressed second submodule 134 of exemplary system 100 previously discussed and various functional feature that tertiary circuit module 140 is carried out, and reaches the various features that Fig. 2 addresses the tertiary circuit module 240 of exemplary system 200 previously discussed.

The exemplary method 400 that discuss the front has disclosed a kind of exemplary example, and it comprises the characteristic of the electric power that first and second circuit module of monitoring receives.Should be noted that this exemplary example is easy to extend to the system that comprises a plurality of circuit modules.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the circuit module of specific quantity, and wherein the characteristic of the electric power of Jie Shouing can be monitored.

Fig. 5 shows the exemplary electric power control system 500 according to various aspects of the present invention.For example but should not be limited to, the various features that Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 address exemplary system 100,200 previously discussed are shared by exemplary system 500.

This exemplary system 500 comprises first electronic equipment 510 that receives electric power 511.This first electronic equipment 510 comprises the characteristic of any various electronic.For example but should not be limited to, this first electronic equipment 510 comprises signal processing circuit, microprocessor, ASIC(Application Specific Integrated Circuit), programmable logic array, memory circuit, multi-chip module, microcontroller, initiatively and/or various combinations of passive device or the like.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to a kind of characteristic of specific electronic device types.

This exemplary system 500 comprises integrated circuit 520.This electronic equipment 510 is expanded to integrated circuit 520.Conversely, this integrated circuit 520 comprises first module 522, second module 524 and the three module 526.First module 522 by communication be connected to second module 524 and the three module 526.

For example but should not be limited to, first module 522 is shared the various features that Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 address second submodule 232,262 of first submodule 132 of example system 100 previously discussed and exemplary system 200.

The first exemplary module 522 comprises the power monitor module of monitoring electric power characteristic and transmits information about this supervisory control action.The characteristic of at least one electric power that first module, 522 monitoring, first electronic equipment 510 is received.

As previously mentioned, the characteristic of monitored electric power comprises any multiple electric power characteristic.For example but should not be limited to, this specific character comprise voltage characteristic as, for example, voltage levvl (as level or abswolute level relatively), voltage stability (as, voltage drift, mains ripple and disturbance response characteristic) and noise.Also for example, this specific character comprise current characteristics as, for example, levels of current (as level or abswolute level relatively), current stability (as, current drift, pulsation of current and disturbance response characteristic).Further for example, this specific character comprise the electric power characteristic as, for example, power level, energy level or the like.Generally, the monitored characteristic of electric power comprises any various electric power characteristic.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to one or more specific electric power characteristics.

Should be noted that the one or more characteristic of these first module, 522 monitoring by a plurality of electric power inputs of first electronic equipment, 510 receptions.For example, first electronic equipment 510 can receive a plurality of electric power input 511 (as, 1.0V input, 1.2V input and a 2.5V input), its characteristic can be by 522 monitoring of first module.Therefore, the scope of the various aspects of the present invention monitored power that should not be limited to a specific quantity inputs to electronic equipment.

Notice first module 522 can utilize any a large amount of various known or still at developing equipment with monitoring electric power characteristic.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to and be used to monitor the particular device of various electric power characteristics or the feature of method.

First module 522 of the characteristic of at least one electric power 511 that monitoring first electronic equipment 510 is received is for example understood by this exemplary system 500.These first module, 522 same monitoring at least one electric power characteristics that other electronic equipment received.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the equipment of specific quantity, and it monitors the electric power characteristic that is received by first module 522.

Exemplary system 500 comprises second electronic equipment 530 (as the outside of integrated circuit 520).The various aspects of the second exemplary electronic equipment 530 will be described in the back in more detail.

Integrated circuit 520 comprises that second module, 524, the first modules 522 communicate with the information about at least one monitored electric power characteristic.For example but should not be limited to, second module 524 is shared the various features that Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 address the second circuit module 240 of second submodule 134 of example system 100 previously discussed and tertiary circuit module 140 and exemplary system 200.

Second module 524 and the various types of information of second electronic equipment, 530 exchanges.This information comprises the information of the power characteristic that at least one is monitored.Under an exemplary situation, 522 monitoring of first module are by the voltage levvl characteristic of the electric power of first electronic equipment, 510 receptions, and second module 524 can exchange and the monitored relevant information of voltage levvl with second electronic equipment 530.For example, this information comprises the information of the voltage levvl that (relative or absolute) description is monitored.This information comprises the information (as the threshold comparison instruction of a, bit) of relative low-res or the information of high-res (as, millivolt voltage levvl resolution) relatively.

Also for example, the information of

second module

524 and 530 exchanges of second electronic equipment comprises power adjustments information.This power adjustments information comprises power adjustments request or power adjustment commands.This power adjustments information comprises request or the order according to relative populations or absolute quantity adjusting power.Under an exemplary situation, first module, 522 monitoring voltage pulse characteristics, this second module 524 is sent to second electronic equipment 530 that the instructed voltage pulsation should reduce with information.

The complicacy of this second module 524 can change significantly.For example, under the first exemplary situation, this second module 524 comprises a plurality of signal Processing electronic circuits, signal Processing of each electric power or communication operation (as, A/D conversion, data processing, packing data, single worker or duplex data communication or the like).Under the second exemplary situation, second module 524 comprises the information of a path (as lead or light-path) to determine by first module 522.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the characteristic of the module complicacy of specific degrees.

As previously mentioned, the power characteristic of a plurality of receptions of the power input of a plurality of receptions of a plurality of electronic equipments of first module, 522 monitoring.Therefore, second module 524 is communicated by letter with second electronic equipment 530 about information any, some or all this monitored characteristics.

Generally, second module 524 can be integrated in the outside of circuit 520, communicates by letter with second electronic equipment 530 about the characteristic by at least one electric power of first module 522 monitoring.Therefore, the scope of the various aspects of invention should not be limited to monitored power characteristic or be transmitted feature about the information of the specific type of monitored power characteristic.

As stating, exemplary system 500 comprises that second electronic equipment, 530, the second modules 524 communicate with the information about at least one monitored power characteristic as preceding.Second electronic equipment 530 comprises any various electronic characteristic.For example but should not be limited to, second electronic equipment 530 comprises the power controller module.

For example, second electronic equipment 530 can be handled the information that receives from second module 524, to determine to be used to the power control information of power controlling supply circuit.Alternatively for example, in one case, wherein should comprise power control information from the information that second module 524 receives, this second electronic equipment 530 can be abandoned this definite in advance.

Under an exemplary situation, second electronic equipment 530 receives about at least one the monitored power characteristic information from integrated circuit 520 (as deriving from second module 524), and handles this information to determine power adjustment commands.Second electronic equipment 530 is sent to this definite power adjustment commands the power supply circuit then to change the various aspects of the electric power of being supplied.This electric power that is supplied directly is relevant to the electric power 511 that is received by first electronic equipment 510.

In further exemplary situation, wherein second electronic equipment 530 is positioned at the inside of power supply circuit, second electronic equipment 530 of power supply circuit receive about from second integrated circuit 520 (as, from second module 524) at least one monitored power characteristic and handle this information to determine the power adjustments signal.Second electronic equipment 530 of power supply integrated circuit utilizes the power adjustments signal to change the various aspects of exporting from the electric power of power supply integrated circuit to cause power supply integrated circuit then.This electric power that is supplied can directly be relevant to the electric power 511 that is received by first electronic equipment 510.

Generally, second electronic equipment 530 can be the part of independently integrated circuit, power supply circuit, part of power supply integrated circuit or the like.Therefore, the scope of the various aspects of invention should not be limited to the feature of the integrated equipment of the position of the second specific electronic equipment 530 or specific and other circuit.

As previously mentioned, second electronic equipment 530 receives the one or more monitored power characteristic information of the electric power that is received by a plurality of integrated circuit (or its module).Supply in the process of control information to determine power in this received information of processing, this second electronic equipment 530 can be handled received information with any several different methods.

For example but should not be limited to, this second electronic equipment 530 can be adjudicated between various integrated circuit (or its module).This judgement comprises the supply requirement of power separately of a plurality of electronic equipments of independent consideration.This judgement comprises the priority separately of considering a plurality of modules and/or integrated circuit.For example, this judgement comprises according to the power supply requirement of limit priority integrated circuit and determines power control information.Also for example, this judgement comprises the power control information of determining based on basis for priority or Demand Base weighted mean value.Generally, this judgement is included between the power supply requirement of various modules and/or integrated circuit and adjudicates.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the characteristic of specific arbitration schemes.

Second electronic equipment 530 is sent to power control information the power supply circuit of electric power to integrated circuit 520 or other module or integrated circuit is provided.This power control information comprises the control signal of direct power controlling supply circuit operation.This power control information comprises power supply request or order, and it can be explained and processing by the power supply circuit that receives this request or order.This power control information comprises any multiple information about the monitored electric power that is received by first electronic equipment 510, other module, other integrated circuit or the like.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the feature of specific power control information or the specific purpose of this power control information.

Fig. 5 illustrational exemplary system 500 and front discuss only for for example and revealed to illustrate the non-limiting part of various aspects of the present invention.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the feature of exemplary system 500.

Fig. 6 shows the exemplary power control system 600 according to various aspects of the present invention.The various features that Fig. 5 addresses exemplary system 500 previously discussed for example but should not be limited to are shared by this exemplary system 600.

This exemplary system 600 comprises first electronic equipment 610 that receives electric power 611.This exemplary system 600 also comprises second electronic equipment 615 that receives electric power 616.This received electric power 611,616 comprises the electric power that receives as in the input of single power or a plurality of power input end.For example but should not be limited to, received electric power is included in the power that a plurality of voltage levvl levels place receives.

First and second electronic equipment 610,615 comprises the feature of any various electronic.For example but should not be limited to, first and second electronic equipment 610,615 comprise signal processing circuit, microprocessor, ASIC(Application Specific Integrated Circuit), programmable logic array, memory circuit, multi-chip module, microcontroller, various combinations of active and/or passive device or the like.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to a kind of characteristic of specific circuit.

This exemplary system 600 comprises provides the power supply circuit 640 of electric power 611,616 to first and second electronic equipment 610,615.This exemplary power supply circuit 640 comprises first power output module 642, its electromotive power output 611 to first electronic equipments 610.This exemplary power supply circuit 640 also comprises second power output module 644, its electromotive power output 616 to second electronic equipments 615.Output can be from the output of second power output module 644 or can be (as indicated by dashed line) output from first power output module 642 from second power of power supply circuit 640 in attention.Therefore, it is relevant or for independently exporting 611 from the output 616 of second power of power supply circuit 640 and first power.

This exemplary power supply circuit 640 comprises control interface (I/F) module 646, and by this control interface module 646, the electronic equipment of power supply circuit 640 outsides can communicate with power supply circuit 640.For example but should not be limited to, the electronic equipment of power supply circuit 640 outsides can utilize this control interface module 646 that power control information is sent to power supply circuit 640.

Power supply circuit 640 comprises the characteristic of any multiple power supply circuit.For example but should not be limited to, this power supply circuit 640 can be independently power supply integrated circuit.Power supply circuit 640 comprises discrete active and passive electronic component.Power supply circuit 640 comprises one or more linear or non-linear managers.Power supply circuit 640 comprises simulation, numeral or hybrid circuit.This power supply circuit 640 comprises the controllable output of one or more independence.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the feature of the particular type of power supply circuit.

This exemplary integrated circuit 620 comprises first module 622 of monitoring by at least one characteristic of the electric power 611 of first electronic equipment, 610 receptions.This first module 622 is also monitored at least one characteristic of the electric power 616 of second electronic equipment, 615 receptions.First module 622 for example but should not be limited to is shared the various features that Fig. 5 addresses the first exemplary module 522 of system 500 previously discussed.

This exemplary integrated circuit 620 comprises that second module, 624, the three electronic equipments 630 communicate with the information of at least one characteristic that is relevant to the electric power of being monitored by first module 622.This second module 624 for example but should not be limited to is shared the various features that Fig. 5 addresses second module 524 of exemplary system 500 previously discussed.

As previously mentioned, this exemplary system 600 comprises that the 3rd electronic equipment 630, the second modules 624 communicate with at least one the monitored power characteristic information that is relevant to.For example but should not be limited to, the 3rd electronic equipment 630 comprises the power controller module.For example, the 3rd electronic equipment 630 is handled the information that is received by second module 624, to determine that power control information is used to the power controlling supply circuit.

Shown in the dotted line 650 of Fig. 6, the 3rd electronic equipment 650 can be integrated into power supply circuit 640 or be its part.Alternatively, the 3rd electronic equipment 630 can be independent of power supply circuit 640.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the certain location or the rank of electronic equipment 630.

Under an exemplary situation, the 3rd electronic equipment 630 receives at least one the monitored information that is relevant to from second module 624, and handles this information to determine power adjustments request (or order).The 3rd electronic equipment 630 transmits this power adjustments request of determining to power supply circuit 640 then and changes the various aspects of the electric power of supply to ask this power supply circuit 640.For example, the 3rd electronic equipment 630 can be sent to first power output module 642 of power supply circuit 640 and at least one of second power output module 644 by control interface module 646 with the power adjustments request.Power supply circuit 64 then by the feature of regulating one or more electric power outputs from power supply circuit 640 in response to this power adjustments request that is transmitted (or order).

As previously mentioned, the 3rd electronic equipment 630 receives the power characteristic that is relevant to one or more monitored a plurality of modules and/or integrated circuit reception.In handling the process of received information with definite power supply control information, the 3rd electronic equipment 630 can any several different methods be handled the information that receives.

For example but should not be limited to, the 3rd electronic equipment 630 can be adjudicated between various modules and/or integrated circuit.This judgement comprises the supply requirement of power separately of considering a plurality of modules and/or integrated circuit.This judgement comprises the priority separately of considering a plurality of modules and/or integrated circuit.For example, this judgement comprises according to the power supply requirement of limit priority module and determines power control information.Also for example, this judgement comprises based on basis for priority or Demand Base weighted mean value and determines power control information.

Under an exemplary situation, the 3rd electronic equipment 630 can receive about the monitored power characteristic information from second module 624 of integrated circuit 620.This information comprises the monitored characteristic information about the power that is received by first and second electronic equipment 610,615.Under this exemplary situation, the 3rd electronic equipment 630 is determined the power supply request that the power supply request of first electronic equipments 610 exceeds second electronic equipment 615, and determines based on the requested power supply control information of first electronic equipment 610 and about the characteristic information of the power 611 that received by first electronic equipment 610.

Alternatively, for example, under an exemplary situation, the 3rd electronic equipment 630 determines that the request of first electronic equipment 610 and second electronic equipment 615 is identical, and determine the characteristic information of the power 611 that receives based on the power supply control information of the essentially identical demand of first electronic equipment 610 and by first electronic equipment 610, and the characteristic information of the power 611 that receives by second electronic equipment 615 of interrelating on the basis of the request of second electronic equipment 615

Generally, this judgement is included in the judgement between the power supply requirement of various modules.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the restriction of the feature of a specific arbitration schemes.

The 3rd electronic equipment 630 is sent to power control information provides electric power to first and second electronic equipment 610,615 or miscellaneous equipment or circuit.The 3rd electronic equipment 630 is sent to power supply circuit 640 by control interface module 646 with power control information.

This power control information comprises the control signal of the operation of direct power controlling supply circuit 640 (as first power output module 642 and/or second power output module 644).This power control information comprises power supply request or order, the power supply circuit 640 that it can be by receiving this request or order (as, control interface module 646) and explained and handle.This power control information comprises any multiple monitored characteristic information that is relevant to the electric power that is received by first electronic equipment 610, second electronic equipment 615, miscellaneous equipment, module and circuit or the like.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the feature of certain power control information or the specific purpose of this power control information.

Fig. 6 illustrational exemplary system 600 and front discuss only for for example and revealed to illustrate the non-limiting part of various aspects of the present invention.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the feature of exemplary system 600.

Fig. 7 for example understands the exemplary control manner of execution 700 according to various aspects of the present invention.This exemplary method 700 for example but should not be limited to is shared Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 and is addressed each performed functional feature of example system previously discussed 500,600.

This exemplary method 700 starts from step 710.This exemplary method 700 starts from the response of any a variety of causes and condition.For example but should not be limited to, when a system start method 700 that is just moving, this method 700 automatically begins.Alternatively, for example, method 700 starts from the response of clear and definite initiation command (as the order from another module or user in the system).Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the feature limits of any specific beginning incident or condition.

This exemplary method 700 comprises at least one Performance Characteristics of monitoring first electronic equipment (for example but should not be limited to the electronic equipment of the outside of the integrated circuit of manner of execution 700) in step 720.For example but should not be limited to, step 720 is shared various functional feature that Fig. 5 addresses first module, 522 execution of example integrated circuit 520 previously discussed.Note, yet under various infinite exemplary situations, first electronic equipment can be positioned at the inside of the integrated circuit of manner of execution 700.

First electronic equipment comprises any multiple characteristic electron.For example but should not be limited to, first electronic equipment comprises signal processing circuit, microcontroller circuit, ASIC(Application Specific Integrated Circuit), programmable logic array, memory circuit, multi-chip module, microcontroller or the like.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to a kind of specific electronic equipment or the feature of circuit types.

The characteristic of monitored electric power comprises any multiple electric power characteristic.For example but should not be limited to, this specific character comprise voltage characteristic as, for example, voltage levvl (as level or abswolute level relatively), voltage stability (as, voltage drift, mains ripple and disturbance response characteristic), and noise.Also for example, this specific character comprise current characteristics as, for example, levels of current (as level or abswolute level relatively), current stability (as, current drift, pulsation of current and disturbance response characteristic).Further for example, this specific character comprise the electric power characteristic as, for example, power level, energy level or the like.Generally, the monitored characteristic of electric power comprises any various electric power characteristic.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to one or more specific electric power characteristics.

Should be noted that exemplary step 720 comprises the one or more characteristic of monitoring by a plurality of electric power inputs of first electronic equipment reception.For example, first electronic equipment can receive the input of a plurality of electric power (as, a 1.0V input, 1.2V input and 2.5V input), the characteristic of step 720 comprises monitoring.Therefore, the scope of the various aspects of the present invention monitored power that should not be limited to a specific quantity inputs to integrated circuit and/or circuit module.

Equally, step 720 comprises the characteristic of at least one electric power that other electronic equipment of monitoring receives.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the circuit module of a specific quantity, and wherein step 720 comprises the characteristic of monitoring at least one received electric power.

Exemplary method 700 comprises on step 730 with second electronic equipment (as, the outside of first integrated circuit) carries out the transmission about the characteristic information of at least one monitored electric power.For example but should not be limited to, step 730 is shared the functional characteristic of addressing second module 524 of exemplary system 500 previously discussed by Fig. 5.Note, yet under the exemplary situation of various indefinitenesses, second electronic equipment can be positioned at the inside of the integrated circuit of manner of execution 700.

This second electronic equipment comprises the feature of any various electronic equipments.For example but should not be limited to, this second electronic equipment is shared the various features that Fig. 5 addresses second electronic equipment 530 of exemplary system 500 previously discussed.Also for example, this second electronic equipment is shared the various features that Fig. 6 addresses the 3rd electronic equipment 630 of exemplary system 600 previously discussed.

For example, this second electronic equipment comprises the power controller module.This power controller module is independent circuits module or stand-alone integrated circuit.This power controller module is an element of power supply circuit (as, power supply integrated circuit).This second electronic equipment comprises provides the power supply circuit of power to first circuit module of integrated circuit and/or integrated circuit.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the feature of a specific electronic equipment set (as the outside of integrated circuit).

The information that is relevant at least one monitored electric power characteristic comprises any a large amount of information type.For example but should not be limited to, this information comprises the information of at least one monitored characteristic.Under an exemplary situation, step 720 comprises the voltage levvl characteristic of monitoring by the electric power that integrated circuit received, and step 730 comprises with electronic equipment communicates by letter about monitored voltage levvl information.For example, this information comprises the monitored voltage levvl information (relative or absolute) of describing.This information comprises the information (as the threshold comparison instruction of a, bit) of relative low-res or the information of high-res (as, millivolt resolution) relatively.

Also for example, step 730 comprises communicating by letter with electronic equipment and comprises the information of power adjustments information.Under an exemplary situation, step 720 comprises monitoring voltage pulsation feature, step 730 comprise with information be sent to instructed voltage pulsation level should reduce (as, by increasing or a specific quantity) electronic equipment.This power adjustments information comprises power adjustments request or power adjustment commands.

Step 730 also comprises the information of determining to be sent to second electronic equipment.Thisly determine on complicacy, can change significantly.For example, under the first exemplary situation, step 730 comprise carry out signal Processing and/or information communication action (as, A/D conversion, data processing, packing data, single worker or duplex data communication or the like) array.Under the second exemplary situation, step 730 only is transmitted in the information of step 720.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the information processing of specific degrees or the characteristic of communication complexity.Determining in addition is sent to the illustrative aspects of the information of second electronic equipment and will discusses in the method 800 of Fig. 8.

As previously mentioned, step 720 comprises the power characteristic of a plurality of receptions that the power of a plurality of receptions of monitoring a plurality of electronic circuits is imported.Therefore, step 730 comprises and the electronic equipment communication information about any, some or all of this monitored characteristics.

Generally, exemplary step 730 comprise with electronic equipment (as, the outside of integrated circuit) communication about step 720 the power characteristic of monitored at least one reception.Therefore, the scope of the various aspects of the present invention information about the particular type of monitored power characteristic that should not be limited to specific monitored power characteristic or be transmitted.

Fig. 8 for example understands the exemplary power controlling method 800 according to various aspects of the present invention.Exemplary method 800 for example but should not be limited to is shared various functional feature that Fig. 7 addresses exemplary method 700 previously discussed.Further for example, exemplary method 800 is shared Fig. 5-6 various functional feature of addressing exemplary system 500,600 previously discussed.

This exemplary method 800 starts from step 810.This exemplary method 800 starts from the response of any a variety of causes and condition.For example but should not be limited to, when a system start method 800 that is just moving, this method 800 automatically begins.Alternatively, for example, method 800 starts from the response of clear and definite initiation command (as the order from another module or user in the system).Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the feature limits of any specific beginning incident or condition.

This exemplary method 800 comprises the characteristic of monitoring by at least one electric power of first electronic equipment (for example, the electronic equipment of the outside of the integrated circuit of execution in step 800) reception in step 820.For example but should not be limited to, step 820 is shared the various features that Fig. 7 addresses the step 720 of illustrative methods 700 previously discussed.Equally for example, step 720 is shared the functional characteristic that Fig. 5 addresses first module, 522 execution of example system 500 previously discussed, and Fig. 6 addresses the functional characteristic of first module, 622 execution of example system 600 previously discussed.

Exemplary method 800 comprises at least one characteristic of the electric power that monitoring second electronic equipment (for example but should not be limited to the electronic equipment of the outside of the integrated circuit of execution in step 800) receives on step 830.For example, though be about the second circuit module rather than first circuit module, step 830 is shared the various features of step 820.

Exemplary method 800 comprises the power control information of the analysis of determining to come from the electric power characteristic of being monitored on step 820 and 830 on step 840.For example but should not be limited to, step 840 is shared the functional characteristic that Fig. 5 addresses second electronic equipment 530 of example system previously discussed 500, reaches the functional characteristic that Fig. 6 addresses the 3rd electronic equipment 630 of example system 600 previously discussed.

This power control information comprises the control signal as the operation of direct power controlling supply circuit.This power control information comprises that as power supply request or order it can be explained by the power supply circuit that receives this request or order and handle.This power control information is included in step 820 and the 830 monitored any various information that are relevant to monitored electric power.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the feature of certain power control information.

Step 840 comprises the electric power characteristic of monitoring by analytical procedure 820 and 830 and determines power control information with any the whole bag of tricks.For example but should not be limited to, step 840 is included in various electric rooms judgements.This judgement comprises the supply requirement of power separately of considering a plurality of electronic equipments.This judgement comprises the priority separately of considering a plurality of electronic equipments.For example, this judgement comprise according to the limit priority module the power supply requirement determine power control information.Also for example, this judgement comprises based on basis for priority or Demand Base weighted mean value and determines power control information.

Under an exemplary situation, step 840 comprise processing about first electronic equipment (as, step 820 is monitored) information of the electric power characteristic of reception, and about second electronic equipment (as, step 830 is monitored) information of the electric power characteristic of reception.Under this exemplary situation, step 840 comprises that the power supply requirement of determining first electronic equipment exceeds the power supply requirement of second electronic equipment, and determines the information of the characteristic of the electric power that receives based on the power supply control information of the power supply requirement of first electronic equipment and about first electronic equipment.

Under another exemplary situation, step 840 comprise processing about first electronic equipment (as, step 820 is monitored) the electric power characteristic information of reception, and about second electronic equipment (as, step 830 is monitored) the electric power characteristic information of reception.Under this exemplary situation, step 840 comprises that the power supply priority of determining first electronic equipment equals the power supply priority of second electronic equipment, and comprise the information of determining similarly the electric power characteristic that receives based on the power supply control information of the demand of first electronic equipment and about first electronic equipment, the information of the power supply control information of the demand of second electronic equipment and the electric power characteristic that receives about second electronic equipment.

Still under another exemplary situation, step 840 comprise processing about first electronic equipment (as, step 820 is monitored) the electric power characteristic information of reception, and about second electronic equipment (as, step 830 is monitored) the electric power characteristic information of reception.Under this exemplary situation, step 840 comprises that the power supply requirement of determining first electronic equipment preferentially is higher than the power supply requirement of second electronic equipment, and determine based on the power supply control information of the weighted mean value of the basis for priority of the demand of first electronic equipment and about the electric power characteristic information of first electronic equipment power supply control information of the power supply requirement of second electronic equipment and about the electric power characteristic information of second electronic equipment.

Generally, exemplary step 840 comprises the power control information of determining the electric power specificity analysis monitored from step 820 and 830.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the characteristic of particular analysis or determining of power control information.

Exemplary method 800 comprises power control information (as determined in step 840) is sent on step 850 provides the power supply circuit of electric power to first and second module.For example but should not be limited to, step 850 is shared the various features that Fig. 7 addresses the step 730 of exemplary method 700 previously discussed.Also for example, step 850 is shared aforesaid Fig. 5 and is addressed second module 524 of example system 500 previously discussed and the functional characteristic that second electronic equipment 530 is carried out, and aforesaid Fig. 6 addresses second module 524 of example system 600 previously discussed and the functional characteristic that the 3rd electronic equipment 630 is carried out.

The exemplary method 800 that discuss the front has disclosed a kind of exemplary example, and it comprises the characteristic of the electric power that first and second module of monitoring receives.Should note being easy to extend to the system that comprises any amount circuit module to this exemplary example.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the module of the monitored specific quantity of the Performance Characteristics of electric power of reception.

The exemplary example that has disclosed various aspects of the present invention noted earlier.Under various situations, aforementioned finger circuit, electronic equipment, module and integrated circuit.These can often be changed mutually.Should be noted can pass through the processor of hardware, executive software instruction to various aspects of the present invention, or its combination and being performed.Further, various aspects of the present invention can be by local module or subsystem or performed by the distributed network of module or subsystem.For example, various aspects of the present invention can be carried out by module or one group of integrated circuit of being integrated in single integrated circuit.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention is not limited to the characteristic of any specific execution.

In a word, various aspects of the present invention provide a kind of system and method for characteristic of the electric power of controlling supply.

And some aspect and the embodiment of being referred to described in the invention, those skilled in the art are appreciated that can make various changes and be equal to and replace and do not depart from the scope of the present invention.In addition, can make a lot of changes to be fit to a special situation of the present invention or material and to belong to instruction of the present invention and not depart from the scope of the present invention.Therefore, the present invention is not limited only to this specific embodiment that discloses, but the present invention includes all embodiment that fall in the claims scope.

The cross reference of related application

Present patent application is relevant to and advocates that the temporary patent application sequence number is 60/583,516, the applying date is on June 28th, 2004, name is called the right of priority of " on-board power supply monitor and power control system (ON-BOARD POWERSUPPLY MONITOR AND POWER CONTROL SYSTEM) ", by all its content being incorporated into herein with reference to it.

Claims

1. a power control system is characterized in that, comprising:

Receive first electronic equipment of electric power;

Receive second electronic equipment of electric power;

Described the 3rd electronic equipment receives from the information of at least one characteristic that is relevant to electric power of described second module and based on basis for priority or Demand Base weighted mean value, the information of handling described reception to be determining power control information, and transmits described power control information and give described power supply circuit.

2. power control system according to claim 1, it is characterized in that, the information that described the 3rd electronic equipment is handled described reception further comprises: described the 3rd electronic equipment is adjudicated between described first electronic equipment and second electronic equipment, and the power supply requirement and/or the priority of described first electronic equipment and second electronic equipment is considered in described judgement.

3. power control system according to claim 1 is characterized in that described power control information comprises regulating and controlling request or order.

4. the method for a power controlling is characterized in that, described method comprises:

Based on basis for priority or Demand Base weighted mean value, the information of at least one characteristic of handling at least one characteristic be relevant to the electric power that described first electronic equipment that monitors receives and the electric power that described second electronic equipment receives is to determine power control information;

5. method according to claim 4, it is characterized in that, the information that processing is relevant at least one characteristic of at least one characteristic of the electric power that described first electronic equipment that monitors receives and the electric power that described second electronic equipment receives further comprises: adjudicate between described first electronic equipment and second electronic equipment, the power supply requirement and/or the priority of described first electronic equipment and second electronic equipment is considered in described judgement.

6. method according to claim 4 is characterized in that described power control information comprises regulating and controlling request or order.