Rapid current demand microprocessor supply circuit

Abstract

Apparatus are disclosed for controlling the delivery of power to DC components such as computer components, microprocessors or the like. Designs of voltage regulation modules are presented which are appropriate for faster components, lower voltages, and higher currents. Embodiments are especially suited to applications which cause rapid changes in the conductance of the load, even in the sub-microsecond time domain as is common in computer applications and the like and in powering electronics equipment, especially a distributed system and especially a system wherein low voltage at high current is required. Embodiments and sub-elements provide energy storage for low voltage, high current electronic loads, an ability to supply current with rapid time variation, providing extremely low inductance connections, permitting components to be located relatively remotely from the powered electronic load.

1 .- 378 . (canceled).  
     
     
         379 . A power supply circuit powering a low voltage, high current microprocessor capable of a rapid current demand comprising a DC power supply having a substantially inductive DC output.  
     
     
         380 . A power supply circuit powering a microprocessor as described in  claim 379  wherein said microprocessor comprises a low voltage, high current load and wherein said DC power supply provides a regulated voltage to said load.  
     
     
         381 . A power supply circuit powering a microprocessor as described in  claim 379  wherein said DC power supply is physically remote from said microprocessor.  
     
     
         382 . A power supply circuit powering a microprocessor as described in  claim 381  wherein said DC power supply provides said microprocessor power remotely over a distance selected from a group consisting of over at least about one-half inch from said DC power supply to said microprocessor, over at least about one inch from said DC power supply to said microprocessor, and over at least about two inches from said DC power supply to said microprocessor.  
     
     
         383 . A power supply circuit powering a microprocessor as described in  claim 379  wherein said DC power supply is electrically remote from said microprocessor.  
     
     
         384 . A power supply circuit powering a microprocessor as described in  claim 379  further comprising a bypass capacitance adjacent said microprocessor.  
     
     
         385 . A power supply circuit powering a microprocessor as described in  claim 384  wherein said bypass capacitance comprises a total bypass capacitance selected from a group consisting of less than about 0.2 millifarads and less than about 0.5 millifarads.  
     
     
         386 . A power supply circuit powering a microprocessor as described in  claim 384  wherein said bypass capacitance comprises a capacitance selected from a group consisting of less than about 0.3 millifarads, less than about 0.5 millifarads, less than about 1 millifarads, less than about 3 millifarads, less than about 10 millifarads, about only the inherent capacitance of a response network, about only an inherent reactance of a component connector, about only an inherent capacitance of a low voltage, high current component, about only a bypass capacitance of a microprocessor, and any permutations or combinations of the above.  
     
     
         387 . A power supply circuit powering a microprocessor as described in  claim 379  wherein said substantially inductive DC output comprises a substantially non-capacitive output.  
     
     
         388 . A power supply circuit powering a microprocessor as described in  claim 380  wherein said microprocessor comprises a microprocessor operating at a nominal DC voltage selected from a group consisting of less than about 2 volts, less than about 1.8 volts, less than about 1.5 volts, less than about 1.3 volts, less than about 1 volt, and less than about 0.4 volts.  
     
     
         389 . A power supply circuit powering a microprocessor as described in  claim 380  wherein said microprocessor is capable of a rapid current demand which rises at a level selected from a group consisting of at least about 0.2 amperes per nanosecond, at least about 0.5 amperes per nanosecond, at least about 1 ampere per nanosecond, at least about 3 amperes per nanosecond, at least about 10 amperes per nanosecond, and at least about 30 amperes per nanosecond.  
     
     
         390 . A power supply circuit powering a microprocessor as described in  claim 380  wherein said microprocessor comprises a microprocessor operating at a maximum current selected from a group consisting of more than about 15 amperes, more than about 20 amperes, more than about 50 amperes, and more than about 100 amperes.  
     
     
         391 . A power supply circuit powering a microprocessor as described in  claim 379  wherein said DC power supply comprises a voltage regulation module.  
     
     
         392 . A method of powering a low voltage, high current microprocessor capable of a rapid current demand, comprising the steps of: 
 a. providing a DC power supply having a substantially inductive DC output; and    b. powering said microprocessor with said substantially inductive DC output.    
     
     
         393 . A method of powering a low voltage, high current microprocessor as described in  claim 392  wherein said step of powering said microprocessor with said substantially inductive DC output comprises the step of powering a low voltage, high current microprocessor.  
     
     
         394 . A method of powering a low voltage, high current microprocessor as described in  claim 392  wherein said step of providing a DC power supply having a substantially inductive DC output comprises the step of providing a DC power supply physically remote from said microprocessor.  
     
     
         395 . A method of powering a low voltage, high current microprocessor as described in  claim 394  wherein said step powering said microprocessor with said substantially inductive DC output comprises the step of transmitting said substantially inductive DC output over a distance selected from a group consisting of over at least about one-half inch, over at least about one inch, and over at least about two inches.  
     
     
         396 . A method of powering a low voltage, high current microprocessor as described in  claim 392  wherein said step of powering said microprocessor with said substantially inductive DC output comprises the step of transmitting said substantially inductive DC output to an electrically remote location.  
     
     
         397 . A method of powering a low voltage, high current microprocessor as described in  claim 392  further comprising the step of establishing a bypass capacitance adjacent said microprocessor.  
     
     
         398 . A method of powering a low voltage, high current microprocessor as described in  claim 397  wherein said step of establishing a bypass capacitance adjacent said microprocessor comprises the step of establishing a total bypass capacitance selected from a group consisting of less than about 0.2 millifarads and less than about 0.5 millifarads.  
     
     
         399 . A method of powering a low voltage, high current microprocessor as described in  claim 397  wherein said step of powering said microprocessor comprises the step of transmitting said substantially inductive DC output through a substantially non-capacitive DC output system having an effective capacitance selected from a group consisting of less than about 0.3 millifarads, less than about 0.5 millifarads, less than about 1 millifarads, less than about 3 millifarads, less than about 10 millifarads, about only the inherent capacitance of a response network, about only an inherent reactance of a component connector, about only an inherent capacitance of said computer component, about only a bypass capacitance of a microprocessor, and any permutations or combinations of the above.  
     
     
         400 . A method of powering a low voltage, high current microprocessor as described in  claim 392  wherein said step of powering said microprocessor with said substantially inductive DC output comprises the step of powering said computer component from said component DC supply voltage through a substantially non-capacitive DC output system.  
     
     
         401 . A method of powering a low voltage, high current microprocessor as described in  claim 393  wherein said step of powering said microprocessor with said substantially inductive DC output comprises the step of transmitting said substantially inductive DC output at a nominal DC voltage selected from a group consisting of less than about 2 volts, less than about 1.8 volts, less than about 1.5 volts, less than about 1.3 volts, less than about 1 volt, and less than about 0.4 volts.  
     
     
         402 . A method of powering a low voltage, high current microprocessor as described in  claim 393  wherein said step of powering said microprocessor with said substantially inductive DC output comprises the step of transmitting said substantially inductive DC output through a DC output system capable of a rapid current demand which rises at a level selected from a group consisting of at least about 0.2 amperes per nanosecond, at least about 0.5 amperes per nanosecond, at least about 1 ampere per nanosecond, at least about 3 amperes per nanosecond, at least about 10 amperes per nanosecond, and at least about 30 amperes per nanosecond.  
     
     
         403 . A method of powering a low voltage, high current microprocessor as described in  claim 393  wherein said step of powering said microprocessor with said substantially inductive DC output comprises the step of transmitting said substantially inductive DC output through a DC output system operating at a maximum current selected from a group consisting of more than about 15 amperes, more than about 20 amperes, more than about 50 amperes, and more than about 100 amperes.  
     
     
         404 . A method of powering a low voltage, high current microprocessor as described in  claim 392  wherein said step of providing a DC power supply having a substantially inductive DC output comprises the step of providing a DC power supply that comprises a voltage regulation module.  
     
     
         405 . A power supply circuit powering a low voltage, high current microprocessor capable of a rapid current demand comprising a voltage regulation module having a substantially non-capacitive DC output.  
     
     
         406 . A power supply circuit powering a microprocessor as described in  claim 405  wherein said microprocessor comprises a low voltage, high current load and wherein said voltage regulation module provides a regulated voltage to said load.  
     
     
         407 . A power supply circuit powering a microprocessor as described in  claim 405  wherein said voltage regulation module is physically remote from said microprocessor.  
     
     
         408 . A power supply circuit powering a microprocessor as described in  claim 407  wherein said voltage regulation module provides said microprocessor power remotely over a distance selected from a group consisting of over at least about one-half inch from said voltage regulation module to said microprocessor, over at least about one inch from said voltage regulation module to said microprocessor, and over at least about two inches from said voltage regulation module to said microprocessor.  
     
     
         409 . A power supply circuit powering a microprocessor as described in  claim 405  wherein said voltage regulation module is electrically remote from said microprocessor.  
     
     
         410 . A power supply circuit powering a microprocessor as described in  claim 405  further comprising a bypass capacitance adjacent said microprocessor.  
     
     
         411 . A power supply circuit powering a microprocessor as described in  claim 410  wherein said bypass capacitance comprises a total bypass capacitance selected from a group consisting of less than about 0.2 millifarads and less than about 0.5 millifarads.  
     
     
         412 . A power supply circuit powering a microprocessor as described in  claim 410  wherein said bypass capacitance comprises a capacitance selected from a group consisting of less than about 0.3 millifarads, less than about 0.5 millifarads, less than about 1 millifarads, less than about 3 millifarads, less than about 10 millifarads, about only the inherent capacitance of a response network, about only an inherent reactance of a component connector, about only an inherent capacitance of a low voltage, high current component, about only a bypass capacitance of a microprocessor, and any permutations or combinations of the above.  
     
     
         413 . A power supply circuit powering a microprocessor as described in  claim 405  wherein said substantially non-capacitive DC output comprises a substantially inductive DC output.  
     
     
         414 . A power supply circuit powering a microprocessor as described in  claim 413  wherein a substantially inductive DC output comprises an inductance internal to said voltage regulation module.  
     
     
         415 . A power supply circuit powering a microprocessor as described in  claim 414  wherein said inductance internal to said voltage regulation module comprises an inductance selected from a group consisting of a total series inductance and an interconnect inductance.  
     
     
         416 . A power supply circuit powering a microprocessor as described in  claim 413  or  414  wherein said substantially inductive DC output comprises an inductance external to said voltage regulation module.  
     
     
         417 . A power supply circuit powering a microprocessor as described in  claim 406  wherein said microprocessor comprises a microprocessor operating at a nominal DC voltage selected from a group consisting of less than about 2 volts, less than about 1.8 volts, less than about 1.5 volts, less than about 1.3 volts, less than about 1 volt, and less than about 0.4 volts.  
     
     
         418 . A power supply circuit powering a microprocessor as described in  claim 406  wherein said microprocessor is capable of a rapid current demand which rises at a level selected from a group consisting of at least about 0.2 amperes per nanosecond, at least about 0.5 amperes per nanosecond, at least about 1 ampere per nanosecond, at least about 3 amperes per nanosecond, at least about 10 amperes per nanosecond, and at least about 30 amperes per nanosecond.  
     
     
         419 . A power supply circuit powering a microprocessor as described in  claim 406  wherein said microprocessor comprises a microprocessor operating at a maximum current selected from a group consisting of more than about 15 amperes, more than about 20 amperes, more than about 50 amperes, and more than about 100 amperes.  
     
     
         420 . A method of powering a low voltage, high current microprocessor capable of a rapid current demand, comprising the steps of: 
 a. providing a voltage regulation module having a substantially non-capacitive DC output; and    b. powering said microprocessor with said substantially non-capacitive DC output.    
     
     
         421 . A method of powering a low voltage, high current microprocessor as described in  claim 420  further comprising the step of regulating a voltage of said substantially non-capacitive DC output with said voltage regulation module, and wherein said step of powering said microprocessor with said substantially non-capacitive DC output comprises the step of powering said microprocessor with a low voltage, high current load.  
     
     
         422 . A method of powering a low voltage, high current microprocessor as described in  claim 420  further comprising the step of establishing said voltage regulation module physically remote from said microprocessor; and wherein said step of powering said microprocessor with said substantially non-capacitive DC output comprises the step of remotely powering said microprocessor.  
     
     
         423 . A method of powering a low voltage, high current microprocessor as described in  claim 422  wherein said step of remotely powering said microprocessor comprises the step of transmitting said substantially non-capacitive DC output over a distance selected from a group consisting of over at least about one-half inch from said voltage regulation module to said microprocessor, over at least about one inch from said voltage regulation module to said microprocessor, and over at least about two inches from said voltage regulation module to said microprocessor.  
     
     
         424 . A method of powering a low voltage, high current microprocessor as described in  claim 420  wherein said step of powering said microprocessor with said substantially non-capacitive DC output comprises the step of transmitting said substantially non-capacitive DC output to an electrically remote microprocessor  
     
     
         425 . A method of powering a low voltage, high current microprocessor as described in  claim 420  further comprising the step of establishing a bypass capacitance adjacent said microprocessor.  
     
     
         426 . A method of powering a low voltage, high current microprocessor as described in  claim 425  wherein said step of establishing a bypass capacitance adjacent said microprocessor comprises the step of establishing a total bypass capacitance selected from a group consisting of less than about 0.2 millifarads and less than about 0.5 millifarads.  
     
     
         427 . A method of powering a low voltage, high current microprocessor as described in  claim 425  wherein said step of transmitting said substantially non-capacitive DC output comprises the step of transmitting said substantially non-capacitive DC output through a substantially non-capacitive DC output system having an effective capacitance selected from a group consisting of less than about 0.3 millifarads, less than about 0.5 millifarads, less than about 1 millifarads, less than about 3 millifarads, less than about 10 millifarads, about only the inherent capacitance of a response network, about only an inherent reactance of a component connector, about only an inherent capacitance of said computer component, about only a bypass capacitance of a microprocessor, and any permutations or combinations of the above.  
     
     
         428 . A method of powering a low voltage, high current microprocessor as described in  claim 420  wherein said step of providing a voltage regulation module having a substantially non-capacitive DC output comprises the step of providing a voltage regulation module having a substantially inductive DC output.  
     
     
         429 . A method of powering a low voltage, high current microprocessor as described in  claim 428  wherein said step of providing a voltage regulation module having a substantially inductive DC output comprises the step of providing a voltage regulation module having an inductance internal to said voltage regulation module.  
     
     
         430 . A method of powering a low voltage, high current microprocessor as described in  claim 429  wherein said step of providing a voltage regulation module having an inductance internal to said voltage regulation module comprises the step of providing a voltage regulation module having an inductance selected from a group consisting of a total series inductance and an interconnect inductance.  
     
     
         431 . A method of powering a low voltage, high current microprocessor as described in  claim 425  or  426  wherein said step of providing a voltage regulation module having a substantially non-capacitive DC output comprises the step of providing a voltage regulation module having an inductance external to said voltage regulation module.  
     
     
         432 . A method of powering a low voltage, high current microprocessor as described in  claim 421  wherein said step of powering said microprocessor comprises the step of powering said microprocessor from said component DC supply voltage at a nominal DC voltage selected from a group consisting of less than about 2 volts, less than about 1.8 volts, less than about 1.5 volts, less than about 1.3 volts, less than about 1 volt, and less than about 0.4 volts.  
     
     
         433 . A method of powering a low voltage, high current microprocessor as described in  claim 421  wherein said step of powering said microprocessor comprises the step of transmitting a low voltage, high current load through a DC output system capable of a rapid current demand which rises at a level selected from a group consisting of at least about 0.2 amperes per nanosecond, at least about 0.5 amperes per nanosecond, at least about 1 ampere per nanosecond, at least about 3 amperes per nanosecond, at least about 10 amperes per nanosecond, and at least about 30 amperes per nanosecond.  
     
     
         434 . A method of powering a low voltage, high current microprocessor as described in  claim 421  wherein said step of powering said microprocessor with a low voltage, high current load comprises the step of transmitting said low voltage, high current load through a DC output system operating at a maximum current selected from a group consisting of more than about 15 amperes, more than about 20 amperes, more than about 50 amperes, and more than about 100 amperes.  
     
     
         435 . A power supply circuit powering a low voltage, high current microprocessor capable of a rapid current demand comprising a voltage regulation module having a substantially inductive DC output.  
     
     
         436 . A power supply circuit powering a microprocessor as described in  claim 435  wherein said microprocessor comprises a low voltage, high current load and wherein said voltage regulation module provides a regulated voltage to said load.  
     
     
         437 . A power supply circuit powering a microprocessor as described in  claim 435  wherein said voltage regulation module is physically remote from said microprocessor.  
     
     
         438 . A power supply circuit powering a microprocessor as described in  claim 437  wherein said voltage regulation module provides said microprocessor power remotely over a distance selected from a group consisting of over at least about one-half inch from said voltage regulation module to said microprocessor, over at least about one inch from said voltage regulation module to said microprocessor, and over at least about two inches from said voltage regulation module to said microprocessor.  
     
     
         439 . A power supply circuit powering a microprocessor as described in  claim 435  wherein said voltage regulation module is electrically remote from said microprocessor.  
     
     
         440 . A power supply circuit powering a microprocessor as described in  claim 435  further comprising a bypass capacitance adjacent said microprocessor.  
     
     
         441 . A power supply circuit powering a microprocessor as described in  claim 440  wherein said bypass capacitance comprises a total bypass capacitance selected from a group consisting of less than about 0.2 millifarads and less than about 0.5 millifarads.  
     
     
         442 . A power supply circuit powering a microprocessor as described in  claim 440  wherein said bypass capacitance comprises a capacitance selected from a group consisting of less than about 0.3 millifarads, less than about 0.5 millifarads, less than about 1 millifarads, less than about 3 millifarads, less than about 10 millifarads, about only the inherent capacitance of a response network, about only an inherent reactance of a component connector, about only an inherent capacitance of a low voltage, high current component, about only a bypass capacitance of a microprocessor, and any permutations or combinations of the above.  
     
     
         443 . A power supply circuit powering a microprocessor as described in  claim 435  wherein said substantially inductive DC output comprises a substantially non-capacitive DC output.  
     
     
         444 . A power supply circuit powering a microprocessor as described in claims  435  wherein said substantially inductive DC output comprises an inductance internal to said voltage regulation module.  
     
     
         445 . A power supply circuit powering a microprocessor as described in  claim 444  wherein said inductance internal to said voltage regulation module comprises an inductance selected from a group consisting of a total series inductance and an interconnect inductance.  
     
     
         446 . A power supply circuit powering a microprocessor as described in claims  435  or  423  wherein said substantially inductive DC output comprises an inductance external to said voltage regulation module.  
     
     
         447 . A power supply circuit powering a microprocessor as described in  claim 436  wherein said microprocessor comprises a microprocessor operating at a nominal DC voltage selected from a group consisting of less than about 2 volts, less than about 1.8 volts, less than about 1.5 volts, less than about 1.3 volts, less than about 1 volt, and less than about 0.4 volts.  
     
     
         448 . A power supply circuit powering a microprocessor as described in  claim 436  wherein said microprocessor is capable of a rapid current demand which rises at a level selected from a group consisting of at least about 0.2 amperes per nanosecond, at least about 0.5 amperes per nanosecond, at least about 1 ampere per nanosecond, at least about 3 amperes per nanosecond, at least about 10 amperes per nanosecond, and at least about 30 amperes per nanosecond.  
     
     
         449 . A power supply circuit powering a microprocessor as described in  claim 436  wherein said microprocessor comprises a microprocessor operating at a maximum current selected from a group consisting of more than about 15 amperes, more than about 20 amperes, more than about 50 amperes, and more than about 100 amperes.  
     
     
         450 . A method of powering a low voltage, high current microprocessor capable of a rapid current demand, comprising the steps of: 
 a. providing a voltage regulation module having a substantially inductive DC output; and    b. powering said microprocessor with said substantially inductive DC output.    
     
     
         451 . A method of powering a low voltage, high current microprocessor as described in  claim 450  further comprising the step of regulating a voltage of said substantially inductive DC output with said voltage regulation module, and wherein said step of powering said microprocessor with said substantially inductive DC output comprises the step of powering said microprocessor with a low voltage, high current load.  
     
     
         452 . A method of powering a low voltage, high current microprocessor as described in  claim 450  further comprising the step of establishing said voltage regulation module physically remote from said microprocessor; and wherein said step of powering said microprocessor with said substantially inductive DC output comprises the step of remotely powering said microprocessor.  
     
     
         453 . A method of powering a low voltage, high current microprocessor as described in  claim 452  wherein said step of remotely powering said microprocessor comprises the step of transmitting said substantially inductive DC output over a distance selected from a group consisting of over at least about one-half inch from said voltage regulation module to said microprocessor, over at least about one inch from said voltage regulation module to said microprocessor, and over at least about two inches from said voltage regulation module to said microprocessor.  
     
     
         454 . A method of powering a low voltage, high current microprocessor as described in  claim 450  wherein said step of powering said microprocessor with said substantially inductive DC output comprises the step of transmitting said substantially inductive DC output to an electrically remote microprocessor.  
     
     
         455 . A method of powering a low voltage, high current microprocessor as described in  claim 450  further comprising the step of establishing a bypass capacitance adjacent said microprocessor.  
     
     
         456 . A method of powering a low voltage, high current microprocessor as described in  claim 455  wherein said step of establishing a bypass capacitance adjacent said microprocessor comprises the step of establishing a total bypass capacitance selected from a group consisting of less than about 0.2 millifarads and less than about 0.5 millifarads.  
     
     
         457 . A method of powering a low voltage, high current microprocessor as described in  claim 455  wherein said step of establishing a bypass capacitance adjacent said microprocessor comprises the step of establishing an effective capacitance selected from a group consisting of less than about 0.3 millifarads, less than about 0.5 millifarads, less than about 1 millifarads, less than about 3 millifarads, less than about 10 millifarads, about only the inherent capacitance of a response network, about only an inherent reactance of a component connector, about only an inherent capacitance of said computer component, about only a bypass capacitance of a microprocessor, and any permutations or combinations of the above.  
     
     
         458 . A method of powering a low voltage, high current microprocessor as described in  claim 450  wherein said step of providing a voltage regulation module having a substantially inductive DC output comprises the step of providing a voltage regulation module having a substantially non-capacitive DC output.  
     
     
         459 . A method of powering a low voltage, high current microprocessor as described in  claim 450  wherein said step of providing a voltage regulation module having a substantially inductive DC output comprises the step of providing a voltage regulation module having an inductance internal to said voltage regulation module.  
     
     
         460 . A method of powering a low voltage, high current microprocessor as described in  claim 459  wherein said step of providing a voltage regulation module having an inductance internal to said voltage regulation module comprises the step of providing a voltage regulation module having an inductance selected from a group consisting of a total series inductance and an interconnect inductance.  
     
     
         461 . A method of powering a low voltage, high current microprocessor as described in  claim 450  or  459  wherein said step of providing a voltage regulation module having a substantially inductive DC output comprises the step of providing a voltage regulation module having an inductance external to said voltage regulation module.  
     
     
         462 . A method of powering a low voltage, high current microprocessor as described in  claim 451  wherein said step of powering said microprocessor comprises the step of powering said microprocessor from said component DC supply voltage at a nominal DC voltage selected from a group consisting of less than about 2 volts, less than about 1.8 volts, less than about 1.5 volts, less than about 1.3 volts, less than about 1 volt, and less than about 0.4 volts.  
     
     
         463 . A method of powering a low voltage, high current microprocessor as described in  claim 451  wherein said step of powering said microprocessor comprises the step of transmitting a low voltage, high current load through a DC output system capable of a rapid current demand which rises at a level selected from a group consisting of at least about 0.2 amperes per nanosecond, at least about 0.5 amperes per nanosecond, at least about 1 ampere per nanosecond, at least about 3 amperes per nanosecond, at least about 10 amperes per nanosecond, and at least about 30 amperes per nanosecond.  
     
     
         464 . A method of powering a low voltage, high current microprocessor as described in  claim 451  wherein said step of powering said microprocessor with a low voltage, high current load comprises the step of transmitting said low voltage, high current load through a DC output system operating at a maximum current selected from a group consisting of more than about 15 amperes, more than about 20 amperes, more than about 50 amperes, and more than about 100 amperes.