Robert J Carroll

US Patent:

7923974, Apr 12, 2011

Filed:

Jan 4, 2008

Appl. No.:

11/969662

Inventors:

Gary D. Martin - Boxford MA, US
Robert T. Carroll - Andover MA, US

Assignee:

CHiL Semiconductor Corporation - Tewksbury MA

International Classification:

G05F 1/00
G05F 3/00

US Classification:

323212, 323213, 323237, 323243, 323246, 323222

Abstract:

A power supply system includes multiple power converter phases. A controller (e. g. , a processor device) monitors energy delivery for each of multiple power converter phases that supply energy to a load. The controller analyzes the energy delivery associated with each of the multiple power converter phases to identify an imbalance of energy delivered by the multiple power converter phases to the load. Based on the analyzing and detection of an imbalance condition, the controller modifies a future order of activating the multiple power converter phases for powering the load. Accordingly, a single phase of a multiphase switching power converter may be prevented from becoming overloaded while delivering energy to power the load.

US Patent:

7982446, Jul 19, 2011

Filed:

Jun 20, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/143048

Inventors:

James Noon - Merrimack NH, US
Lawrence Spaziani - Chelmsford MA, US
Robert T. Carroll - Andover MA, US
Venkat Sreenivas - Winchester MA, US

Assignee:

International Rectifier Corporation - El Segundo CA

International Classification:

G05F 1/56

US Classification:

323285, 323272, 323299

Abstract:

According to one configuration, a monitor circuit monitors a delivery of power supplied by one or more switch devices to a dynamic load. Based on an amount of power delivered to the load as measured by the monitor circuit, a control circuit produces a voltage control signal. A gate bias voltage generator circuit utilizes the voltage control signal to generate a switch activation voltage or bias voltage. A switch drive circuit uses the switch activation voltage as generated by the bias voltage generator to activate each of the one or more switch devices during a portion of a switching cycle when a respective switch device is in an ON state, and the respective switch device conducts current from a voltage source through the switch device to the load. The control circuit adjusts the voltage control signal to modify a level of the switch activation voltage depending on the dynamic load.

US Patent:

8024138, Sep 20, 2011

Filed:

Jun 20, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/143056

Inventors:

Robert T. Carroll - Andover MA, US
James Noon - Merrimack NH, US
Venkat Sreenivas - Winchester MA, US
Gary D. Martin - Boxford MA, US

Assignee:

International Rectifier Corporation - El Segundo CA

International Classification:

G01R 21/06

US Classification:

702 60, 702 64, 702 79, 702 81, 702189

Abstract:

In an example configuration, a power supply manager receives an output current value representing an amount of output current supplied by one or more power converter phases to a load. The power supply manager also receives a duty cycle value representing a duty cycle for controlling operation of the at least one power converter phase. The power supply manager produces an estimate of input current supplied to the power supply circuit based at least in part on multiplying the output current value by the duty cycle value. Contrary to conventional methods such as physically measuring an input current using complex measuring circuitry, embodiments herein include utilizing parameter information such as output current information and duty cycle information to deduce an amount of input current.

US Patent:

8134354, Mar 13, 2012

Filed:

Mar 3, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/396975

Inventors:

Benjamim Tang - Ranchos Palos Verdes CA, US
Robert T. Carroll - Andover MA, US
Scott W. Southwell - Seal Beach CA, US
Kenneth A. Ostrom - Palos Verdes Estates CA, US
Richard C. Pierson - Newport Beach CA, US

International Classification:

G05F 1/59

US Classification:

323283, 323272, 323284

Abstract:

Disclosed is a multi-phase pulse width modulated voltage regulator and method in which transient voltage excursions or deviations that exceed the load line voltage by more than a predetermined amount are detected by an ATR circuit and a correction signal is applied. The correction signal is in the form of asynchronous pulses and the number of such pulses is a function of the magnitude of the voltage excursion as determined by the number of thresholds that are exceeded. Also disclosed is an adaptive voltage positioning (AVP) circuit and method for early detection of a transient event by sensing voltage changes at the load and adjusting the target voltage with pre-determined current values prior to the time that ATR event changes in the current at the load are detected. The AVP load line is pre-positioned for more precise current control. Also disclosed is an adaptive filter with adjustable frequency characteristics in response to an ATR event.

US Patent:

8242759, Aug 14, 2012

Filed:

Jan 12, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/352491

Inventors:

Robert T. Carroll - Andover MA, US
James Noon - Merrimack NH, US
Venkat Sreenivas - Winchester MA, US
Gary D. Martin - Boxford MA, US

Assignee:

International Rectifier Corporation - El Segundo CA

International Classification:

G05F 1/00

US Classification:

323272, 323283, 323284

Abstract:

According to one configuration, a multi-phase power supply adjusts a number of active phases based at least in part on a peak current supplied to a dynamic load. For example, a controller associated with the multi-phase power supply can monitor or receive a value indicative of a peak magnitude of current delivered by the multi-phase power supply to a dynamic load. The controller initiates comparison of the value to threshold information. Based at least in part on the comparison, the controller adjusts how many phases of the multi-phase power supply are activated to deliver the current delivered to the dynamic load. Thus, one embodiment herein is directed to controlling a multi-phase power supply based at least in part on a measured parameter such as peak current magnitude.

US Patent:

8330444, Dec 11, 2012

Filed:

Jun 6, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/154095

Inventors:

James Noon - Merrimack NH, US
Lawrence Spaziani - Chelmsford MA, US
Robert T. Carroll - Andover MA, US
Venkat Sreenivas - Winchester MA, US

Assignee:

International Rectifier Corporation - El Segundo CA

International Classification:

G05F 1/56

US Classification:

323285, 323272, 323299

Abstract:

According to one configuration, a monitor circuit monitors a delivery of power supplied by one or more switch devices to a dynamic load. Based on an amount of power delivered to the load as measured by the monitor circuit, a control circuit produces a voltage control signal. A gate bias voltage generator circuit utilizes the voltage control signal to generate a switch activation voltage or bias voltage. A switch drive circuit uses the switch activation voltage as generated by the bias voltage generator to activate each of the one or more switch devices during a portion of a switching cycle when a respective switch device is in an ON state, and the respective switch device conducts current from a voltage source through the switch device to the load. The control circuit adjusts the voltage control signal to modify a level of the switch activation voltage depending on the dynamic load.

US Patent:

8344712, Jan 1, 2013

Filed:

Mar 22, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/069163

Inventors:

Gary D. Martin - Boxford MA, US
Robert T. Carroll - Andover MA, US

Assignee:

International Rectifier Corporation - El Segundo CA

International Classification:

G05F 1/59
G05F 1/565

US Classification:

323272, 323222, 323283, 323285

Abstract:

A power supply system includes multiple power converter phases. A controller (e. g. , a processor device) monitors energy delivery for each of multiple power converter phases that supply energy to a load. The controller analyzes the energy delivery associated with each of the multiple power converter phases to identify an imbalance of energy delivered by the multiple power converter phases to the load. Based on the analyzing and detection of an imbalance condition, the controller modifies a future order of activating the multiple power converter phases for powering the load. Accordingly, a single phase of a multiphase switching power converter may be prevented from becoming overloaded while delivering energy to power the load.

US Patent:

8412923, Apr 2, 2013

Filed:

Feb 9, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/703082

Inventors:

Robert T. Carroll - Andover MA, US
Ronald Hulfachor - Nashua NH, US
Dror Barash - Brookline MA, US
Frank Kern - Bellingham WA, US

Assignee:

International Rectifier Corporation - El Segundo CA

International Classification:

G06F 1/24
G06F 1/26

US Classification:

713100, 713300

Abstract:

An integrated circuit resides on a circuit board. During operation, the digital controller integrated circuit produces control signals to control a power supply for delivery of power to a load. The integrated circuit can include multiple connectivity ports, on-board memory, and mode control logic. The multiple connectivity ports such as pins, pads, etc. , of the integrated circuit can be configured to provide connections between internal circuitry residing in the integrated circuit and external circuitry residing on a circuit board to which the integrated circuit is attached. The mode control logic monitors a status of one or more connectivity ports of the integrated circuit to detect when a board handler places the digital controller in a power island mode in which the integrated circuit is powered so that the board handler can access (e. g. , read/write) the memory in the digital controller integrated circuit while other portions of the board are unpowered.