CN101520649A

CN101520649A - Extensible and programmable power management integrated circuit system

Info

Publication number: CN101520649A
Application number: CN200810034078A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 黄树良
Original assignee: Active Semi Shanghai Co Ltd; Active Semi International Inc USA
Current assignee: Active-Semi Co., Ltd.; Active Semi Shanghai Co Ltd
Priority date: 2008-02-29
Filing date: 2008-02-29
Publication date: 2009-09-02

Abstract

The invention discloses an extensible and programmable power management integrated circuit system comprising a master control module and various slave modules which comprise a power supply function, a battery management function and an analog and digital input/output function. The master control module writes data to configuration registers of the slave modules by a communication network to configure the slave modules. Each module comprises various configuration registers for determining module operation and parameter characteristics. The modules are configured to response proper signals on a configurable interconnecting network to realize programmability.

Description

A kind of extensible and programmable power management integrated circuit system

Technical field

The present invention relates to a kind of power IC, relate in particular to a kind of extensible and programmable power management integrated circuit system.

Background technology

Power IC (ICs) has especially been used the Circuits System of multiple voltage, and just becoming becomes increasingly complex, and many different characteristics and setting are arranged.The power management integrated circuit of prior art, for example, (the Irvine of Dialog Semiconductor Co., Ltd, CA) She Ji DA9011/9030/9031, and Maxim Integrated Products (Sunnyvale, CA) She Ji MAX1586A, include adjustable dc-dc converter of voltage in several modes and linear rectifier, but these power management integrated circuits are fixed in design basically, and develop for specific, limited application of power scope.For example, Fig. 1 is the power management integrated circuit 11 of prior art, and the master controller 12 in the power management integrated circuit 11 is controlled power module by the parallel configuration bus that is driven by configuration register.Regrettably, the structure of this parallel configuration bus can not be expanded, thereby is disadvantageous.Such as, when the better configurable dirigibility of needs (therefore need more register), with/or when increasing the number of a chip power source module, the result increases bus-structured signal wire significantly.The power management integrated circuit of other prior art uses the pin of integrated circuit and the output voltage that outer member disposes power module, and this will cause our undesirable bigger integrated circuit encapsulation and more system element.

Fig. 1 shows prior art model's power management integrated circuit 11.In power management integrated circuit 11, master controller 12 is controlled power module 14 by the parallel configuration bus that is driven by configuration register 13.As previously mentioned, power management integrated circuit 11 can not be expanded.Therefore,, or need more numerical digit in the better configurable dirigibility of needs, with/or when increasing the number of a chip power source module 14, the result increases bus-structured signal wire significantly.

Except lacking dirigibility, the design that increases the power management integrated circuit of a given routine also is very difficult and takes a risk, especially when the function number of demand increases widely.Increase or customize the integrated circuit of known routine, almost resource and the time that always must be a large amount of is done design, domain and assessment again.

In view of noted earlier, we need a kind of height power management integrated circuit more flexibly able to programme and extendible.

Summary of the invention

Technical matters to be solved by this invention provides a kind of extensible and programmable power management integrated circuit system, and this power management integrated circuit system has can be expanded and programmable characteristics.

In order to solve above technical matters, the invention provides a kind of extensible and programmable power management integrated circuit system, in one embodiment of the invention, an integrated circuit (IC) system that includes a main controller module is provided, main controller module by communication network (such as, the communication network of serial or parallel) slave module of controlling at least one is (as power management or conversion equipment, or on the chip or the outer load of chip the power source voltage conversion equipment is provided, as charge-pump converter, the linear voltage rectifier, boost rectifier or buck rectifier, or the like).Communication network is subjected to the control of at least one the control command that transmits at least one slave module from main controller module at least in part.At least one the control command of receiving transmits and receives by communication network.In an embodiment, order is digitally coded, and the slave module of at least one of one of them comprises a digital configuration interface at least, and this digital configuration interface receives order and can decode at least the order of one of them and the slave module of controlling at least one directly or indirectly in a certain respect.

Another embodiment of the present invention can further be configured by programming.When program was carried out, main control sequence of modules ground was at least one some control command of slave module convey program regulation of one of them at least, and it is able to programme therefore slave module to be realized on function.

Another embodiment of the present invention also is provided to receive at least one programming instruction from external source in addition.When instruction is carried out, make the main control module at least one some control command of slave module convey program regulation of one of them at least, it is able to programme therefore slave module to be realized on function.

In an embodiment more of the present invention, two or more at least one slave modules are voltage transformation modules, and this integrated circuit (IC) system also comprises coupling device or connector in addition, these coupling devices or connector is set the output of the power supply of each electric pressure converter module is merged into a combination voltage modular converter under the order control of main control module at least in part.

Other characteristic of the present invention, advantage and target will become clear more and be more readily understood in back to back detailed description.Should read detailed description together in conjunction with the figure of enclosing.

Description of drawings

Below in conjunction with the drawings and specific embodiments the present invention is described in further detail.

Fig. 1 is the block diagram of the typical power management integrated circuit of prior art;

Fig. 2 is expanding and the block diagram of programmable power supply management integrated circuit (IC) system according to one embodiment of the present of invention;

Fig. 3 is the signal diagrammatic series of views according to the serial communication in internal communication network of one embodiment of the present of invention;

Fig. 4 is according to one embodiment of the present of invention, is connected to the synoptic diagram of the internal communication network of slave module;

Fig. 5 is according to embodiments of the invention, the synoptic diagram of the receive logic in each slave module of extensible and programmable power management integrated circuit.

Embodiment

Hereinafter, inventive embodiment is discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings.Yet affiliated those skilled in the art recognizes that easily when the present invention extended beyond these limited embodiment, the detailed description about figure that provides was the purpose for the explanation typical case here.For example, be to be appreciated that, in accordance with the teachings of the present invention and the enlightenment, under person of skill in the art will appreciate that, various alternative and methods that be fit to are arranged, the needs that depend on application-specific can be realized the function of any detailed description that provides here, and these have exceeded following description and the specific realization of the embodiment that represents is selected.That is to say that many distortion of the present invention and mutation are arranged, owing to can not enumerate out one by one too much, but all these falls within the scope of the present invention.Equally, the word of singulative also should be regarded plural form as, and vice versa; Positive speech also should be regarded negative speech as, and vice versa; Here, embodiment suitable, that substitute does not illustrate that the two is mutual repulsion.Therefore, the invention of here clear and definite and detailed not should be understood to qualification, and be construed as the key element of claim and be understood as representational key element, be in any suitably detailed system, structure or the mode of reality, to use representative element of the present invention to affiliated those skilled in the art's instruction and enlightenment.In addition, the member of the application's indication is meant to have components and parts or the circuit that certain function maybe can realize certain function, such as network structure can be hereinafter internet 25 (Fig. 2), control member can be a main controller module 21 (Fig. 2) hereinafter, making described power conversion device programmable member on function can be hereinafter configuration register 55 (Fig. 5), and the member that the output of the power of each power conversion device is merged into the power converter module of a combination can be electric pressure converter hereinafter or the like.

We describe the present invention in detail with reference to the embodiment that wherein illustrates with the figure of enclosing now.

Fig. 2 is according to embodiments of the invention, the block diagram of an extensible and programmable power management integrated circuit 22.Power management integrated circuit 22 comprises the multiple module that links together by internal communication network 26 and configurable internet 25.In the present embodiment, main control module 21 is communicated by letter with the device outside diversified slave module 24 and the chip.The example of the outer device of the chip that main control module 21 is communicated by letter with it includes but not limited to various microprocessors, microcontroller, Media Processor, central processing unit (CPUs), graphic process unit (GPUs), digital signal processor (DSPs), or the like.Slave module 24 may include but not limited to the linear rectifier slave module; the dc-dc converter slave module; battery management module; with analog/digital input and output slave module; and can realize that function is such as, but not limited to power supply function; battery charge, protection and management function, the input/output function of modulus and digital-to-analogue data converter and general-purpose simulation and numeral.Present embodiment includes but not limited to that also at least one provides the module of power supply for the outer load of chip.Present embodiment also includes but not limited to voltage transitions member such as linear rectifier, boost converter, step-down controller or charge-pump converter.

When chip power, default configuration all preferentially is arranged in all modules and internet, can be such as but not limited to the metal mask programming by various known methods, one-time programming, or the configuration of acquiescence is determined in electricity erasable memorizer (EEPROM) programming.Affiliated those skilled in the art is familiar with these programmed methods very much.In a preferred embodiment, main controller module is issued in order, to be provided with and programming power management integrated circuit 22 by the command interface (as directed serial communication interface) that chip is outer.The model of the outer serial line interface of chip is, but is not limited to, the I2C bus of all being familiar with by those skilled in the art Philips semiconductor development, affiliated.Command interface characteristic accurately is unimportant, importantly can in time send order to main controller module 21.Although what show is wired serial line interface,, in accordance with the teachings of the present invention and enlightenment, affiliated those skilled in the art will recognize have various alternative and suitable command interface and agreement can replace realizing interface function easily.For example, other appropriate interface and agreement comprise SMBus, PMBus, and SPI, microwave, one-wire bus, and various other multiwire bus serial line interface also have wired parallel data bus line interface, optical fiber and radio frequency interface.

(not shown) in other embodiments, command interface can be with being fit to provide the internal module of order to replace to main controller module 21, such as, but being not limited to, main controller module can read programmable storage module on the plate of the order of being stored.

Fig. 3 has analyzed the model of the signal series of serial communication in internal communication network 26 according to embodiments of the invention.Example just as shown in Figure 2, main controller module 21 is communicated by letter with the slave module 24 on the chip by internal communication network 26.Present embodiment comprises the signal of three serial communications: intercommunicating address signal (ICADDR), intercommunicating data-signal (ICDATA) and intercommunicating synchronizing clock signals (ICSYNC).Master controller 21 sends the transmission that a START orders initialization data to the ICADDR line.This order also begins to dispose first module at the ICDATA line, just the register 23 in the module of address 1.Finish after the module of address 1 is write configuration bit, the ICADDR signal sends NEXT order, increases progressively the address to the next module on the ICDATA line, the module of address 2 just, or the like.The accurate structure or the agreement of internal communication network are unimportant usually, importantly can be in time to slave module sending module data.The needs that depend on application-specific, affiliated those skilled in the art in accordance with the teachings of the present invention and enlightenment, will recognize, have various replacement and the internal communication protocol using that is fit to can realize intercommunication.Perhaps, these variations include but not limited to still less or more signal, and other module address form realizes from the identical function of master controller to power module serial transfer configuration data.Such alternate embodiment is covered by within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is according to embodiments of the invention, is connected to the synoptic diagram of the internal communication network of slave module 41.As among the figure shown in the example, the ICSYNC line, ICADDR line and ICDATA line all are connected on each slave module 41.The ICSYNC line carries the ICSYNC signal.The ICADDR line carries the ICADDR signal, and the ICDATA line carries the ICDATA signal.In the present embodiment, beginning (START) order is the pulse of two clock width, and next (NEXT) order is the pulse of a clock width.Although shown is the wired serial interface, but, affiliated those skilled in the art, in accordance with the teachings of the present invention and the enlightenment, to recognize easily, have various alternative and structure or the agreement internal communication network that is fit to can substitute the realization intercommunication, this depends on the needs of application-specific.For example, but be not limited to, other interface and agreement that is fit to comprises various lines or multi-thread serial bus interface, also has various parallel data bus line interfaces.

Fig. 5 shows according to embodiments of the invention, the synoptic diagram of the receive logic of each slave module in extensible and programmable power management integrated circuit.In the present embodiment, this logic comprises trigger register 51, Sheffer stroke gate 52, state machine 54 and configuration register 55.In the present embodiment, each module all comprises the configuration register 55 of various determination module operations and parameter characteristic.Realize programmable ability by the appropriate signals that responds configurable internet.Wherein, DIN is the data input pins.

When detecting the START order, the state of Reset Status machine 54.If slave module is first address, also with regard to address 1, state machine 54 is reset and is output as height to drive ENABLE (permission), allows configuration register 55 mobile data positions.If slave module is a next address, just the address 2, and state machine 54 is reset to DISABLE (forbidding) state.When detecting NEXT (next one) order, the state of the state machine 54 of the module of address 1 will become DISABLE (forbidding) state, and the state of the state machine 54 of the module of next address will become ENABLE (permission) state.This process incrementally repeats to the module of other high address.So data bit just is moved in the configuration register 55.Affiliated those skilled in the art, in accordance with the teachings of the present invention and the enlightenment, to recognize have the various alternative and receiver logic that is applicable to each slave module that is fit to or decoding technique to substitute and realize receiving the decode easily, this depends on the needs of application-specific.

Get back to Fig. 2 once more, in the present embodiment, main controller module 21 is including but not limited to following function: the detection of voltage level and energy content of battery level, the generation of benchmark and reference voltage, temperature detection, clock generator, starting sequential and control, shutdown sequential and control, the serial line interface of the outer device of chip, the intercommunication of chip upper module.Slave module 24 can be that various types of modules include but not limited to the linear rectifier slave module, the dc-dc converter slave module, modulus and digital-to-analogue data converter, timing circuit, real-time clock, Voice ﹠ Video controller and driving thereof, interface circuit, telecommunication circuit, and the input and output slave module of general-purpose simulation or numeral.

Each all is connected to input routing point better the linear rectifier slave module, and one or more output routing points.Each linear rectifier slave module can both be programmed for out (ON) or close (OFF) and normal or standby mode.In addition, output voltage and electric current limit can be arranged to suitable value according to the needs of load.In the present embodiment, output voltage range is from 0.5V to 5V.The electric current quota limit is from 50mA to 300mA.Any voltage or the current value that note that the present embodiment explanation only are to provide as a kind of typical case simply, and it can set the value of any OK range, and this depends on the needs of application-specific.

Each dc-dc converter slave module all has a power supply routing point, a power supply ground routing point, an inductance routing point and a feedback routing point.Each switch module can be programmed for out (ON) or close (OFF) and normal or standby mode, and boosts or decompression mode.In addition, output voltage and electric current limit can be arranged to suitable value according to the load needs.In the present embodiment, output voltage range is from 0.5V to 5V, and the electric current quota limit is from 0.5A to 2A.

In addition, the switch clock frequency can be adjusted into the part of master controller synchronous clock frequency or several times, and the phase shift of switch clock simultaneously can be adjusted into the resolution of the part in master controller synchronous clock cycle.

In the present embodiment, each general-purpose simulation or digital input and output slave module all have one or more groups general input and output routing point.Each routing point can both be arranged to and will input or output and forbid or allow.In addition, under the situation that the routing point is arranged to import, can handle or be sent to other module in inside modules by configurable internet 25 from the signal of routing point.

The structure of present embodiment is extendible, under the situation of the layout that does not change circuit, domain or existing module, can increase extra function by increase module on original chip.The slave module of any increase is followed identical and agreement internal communication network and interconnection network interface, can both be accessed and do not influence the function of other module.In the present embodiment, each slave module all is the domain that the standardization zone is arranged that is designed to follow certain geometrical shape, and it covers the interface circuit of internal communication network and interconnection network.The standard network of line forms internal communication network and interconnection network, runs through the chip layout of integrated circuit.More function so just is placed on more slave module in the network simply if desired.These modules are that design and the previous successful Computer-Assisted Design, Manufacture And Test that affiliated those skilled in the art understands well crossed.In this way, structure of the present invention encourages to utilize again intellecture property (IP).In addition, this structure with state-of-the-art wafer-level packaging technology, makes at large because function or the change of parameter or the risk minimization of inefficacy that the change of the placement of customization routing point and domain causes.This is possible, because the baii grid array technology allows the chip area of module arrangement in fixed intervals, combines with the routing point on the spheroid position of baii grid array.

Although do not illustrate, to contain in the ground alternate embodiment of the present invention, two or more slave module can be configured to a single module in synergistic mode.As an example, but be not limited to, if an original integrated circuit (IC) design has stipulated to produce the switching rectifier module of 1A electric current, but integrated circuit version afterwards needs the electric current fan-out capability of 2A, if so original integrated circuit is configured to have the switching rectifier slave module of two idle 0.5A, like this, do not change any chip layout, their output just can be all combines with the rectifier of original 1A, reaches the rectification specification of the 2A that needed afterwards.Dispose all above-mentioned switching rectifier slave modules with identical or collaborative switching frequency and phaseswitch, and respond identical voltage and adjust the error signal of feedback control loop and realize this combination.In typical application, only connecting line layer may be had to and will be reformed, and this compares with the domain of having to redesign integrated circuit (IC) chip, obviously is easier and more cheap task.In addition, (not shown) in other embodiment of the present invention, extra one deck programmable layer is covered by the present invention, this one deck programmable layer receive slave module output and able to programme their any combination combine to realize satisfying certain array output of special requirement or function.

After having described at least one embodiment of the present invention all sidedly, according to the present invention, realize that other equivalence of a kind of extensible and programmable power management integrated circuit or the member that substitutes are conspicuous to affiliated those skilled in the art.Described the present invention by the mode of setting forth in the above, the invention of specific embodiments does not also mean that the invention that the present invention is defined in particular form.

Claims

1, a kind of integrated circuit (IC) system of extensible and programmable power management is characterized in that, it comprises:

A main controller module;

A communication network, it can be communicated by letter with above-mentioned main controller module;

With at least one slave module, described slave module can with described communication, dispose the function that described slave module is used to realize at least a power management or conversion, this function is subjected to being sent to by described main controller module the control of at least one control command of described slave module at least in part, and the described control command of receiving transmits and receives by described communication network.

2, integrated circuit (IC) system according to claim 1 is characterized in that, described slave module comprises at least one and the slave module of power supply is provided for the load that does not belong to described integrated circuit (IC) system part.

3, integrated circuit (IC) system according to claim 1 is characterized in that, described slave module comprises at least one and the slave module of power supply is provided for the load that belongs to described integrated circuit (IC) system part.

4, integrated circuit (IC) system according to claim 1, it is characterized in that, described system configuration a program, when this program run, described main controller module sequentially transmits some control command of described procedure stipulation to one of them described slave module at least, and it is able to programme that described slave module is realized on function.

5, integrated circuit (IC) system according to claim 1, it is characterized in that, dispose described system to receive at least one programming instruction from external source, when programming instruction moves, described main controller module transmits some control command of described procedure stipulation to one of them described slave module at least, and it is able to programme that described slave module is realized on function.

6, integrated circuit (IC) system according to claim 1 is characterized in that, one of them described slave module comprises voltage conversion device at least.

7, integrated circuit (IC) system according to claim 6 is characterized in that, described voltage conversion device is charge-pump converter, linear voltage rectifier, boost rectifier or buck rectifier.

8, integrated circuit (IC) system according to claim 1, it is characterized in that, wherein two or more described slave modules are voltage transformation modules, and described integrated circuit (IC) system also comprises coupling device or connector in addition, dispose these coupling devices or connector and be used for the output of the power supply of described each electric pressure converter module is merged into a combination voltage modular converter, this combination voltage modular converter is at least in part under the order control of described main control module.

9, integrated circuit (IC) system according to claim 1 is characterized in that, described communication network is serial or parallel communication network.

10, integrated circuit (IC) system according to claim 1, it is characterized in that, described control command is digitally coded, and described slave module one of them comprises a digital configuration interface at least, this digital configuration interface receive described control command and can decode described at least one of them control command and control described slave module directly or indirectly in a certain respect.

11, a kind of configurable integrated circuit (IC) system of extensible and programmable power management is characterized in that it comprises:

A main controller module, it can transmit at least one digitally coded control command;

A serial communication network, it can be communicated by letter with described main controller module, thus described control command can transmit by described serial communication network; With

At least one slave module, itself and described communication, be used to receive described control command, described slave module disposes digital configuration interface, this numeral configuration interface receives the decode the function that described control command is controlled an electric pressure converter directly or indirectly, and this function is at least in part based on the control command from described main control module that receives.

12, integrated circuit (IC) system according to claim 11 is characterized in that, described slave module comprises charge-pump converter, the linear voltage rectifier, and boost rectifier, with/or buck rectifier.

13, integrated circuit (IC) system according to claim 11, it is characterized in that, described system configuration a program, when this program run, described main controller module sequentially transmits some control command of described procedure stipulation to one of them described slave module at least, and it is able to programme therefore described slave module to be realized on function.

14, integrated circuit (IC) system according to claim 11, it is characterized in that, dispose described system to receive at least one programming instruction from external source, when this programming instruction operation, make described main controller module transmit some control command of described procedure stipulation to one of them described slave module at least, it is able to programme therefore described slave module to be realized on function.

15, integrated circuit (IC) system according to claim 11, it is characterized in that, wherein two or more described at least one slave modules are voltage transformation modules, and described integrated circuit (IC) system also comprises coupling device or connector in addition, dispose these coupling devices or connector and be used for the output of the power supply of each electric pressure converter module is merged into a combination voltage modular converter, this combination voltage modular converter is at least in part under the order control of described main control module.

16, a kind of integrated circuit (IC) system of extensible and programmable power management, its spy is being that it comprises:

The power conversion device of at least one, it disposes at least wherein control member of one side of control;

The network structure of forming described at least one power conversion device; With,

Cooperate described at least one the control member of real-time behavior of power conversion device, this power conversion device is at least in part based on the control member of described network structure and described power conversion device.

17, integrated circuit (IC) system according to claim 16, its spy is being that it also comprises in addition makes described power conversion device programmable member on function.

18, integrated circuit (IC) system according to claim 16 is characterized in that, described voltage conversion device is charge-pump converter, linear voltage rectifier, boost rectifier or buck rectifier.

19, integrated circuit (IC) system according to claim 16, it is characterized in that, it also comprises the member that the output of the power of each power conversion device is merged into the power converter module of a combination in addition, and this module is at least in part under the order control of described mating component.