William M Fulghum

US Patent:

62919768, Sep 18, 2001

Filed:

May 30, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/580159

Inventors:

George A. Kaminski - Houston TX
William M. Fulghum - San Angelo TX

Assignee:

Compaq Computer Corporation - Houston TX

International Classification:

G05F 144
G06F 126

US Classification:

323283

Abstract:

A structure and related method for generating phase enable signals for a multi-phase switching power supply with the characteristic that each signal has the same frequency, but each differs in phase relationship. The structure includes a clock circuit coupled to a shift register and clocking the shift register. The shift register has one of its outputs coupled to its shift input signal line. Clocking of the shift register with the clock circuit produces a series of phase enable signals, at the shift register's shift output signal lines, to be coupled to switching phases of a multi-phase switching power supply. The circuit easily adapts to varying number of phases of the multi-phase switching power supply by changing which of the several shift output signals couples back to the shift input signal.