Factorized power architecture with point of load sine amplitude converters

摘要

A Factorized Power Architecture (“FPA”) method and apparatus for supplying power to highly transient loads such as microprocessors includes a front end power regulator (“PRM) which provides a controlled DC bus voltage which is converted to the desired load voltage using a DC voltage transformation module (“VTM”) at the point of load. The VTM converts the DC bus voltage to the DC voltage required by the load using a fixed transformation ratio K=V_out/V_in where V_inV_out and with a low output resistance. The response time of the VTM, T_VTM is less than the response time of the PRM, T_PRM. A first capacitance, C₁, across the load is made large enough to support the microprocessor current requirement within a time scale, T₁, which is preferably greater than or equal to the characteristic open-loop response time of the VTM by itself, T_VTM. A second capacitance, C₂, at the input of the VTM is made large enough to support the microprocessor current requirement within a time scale, T₂, which is preferably greater than or equal to the closed-loop response time of the front end power regulator, T_PRM. Feedback may be provided from a feedback controller at the point of load to the front end or to upstream, on-board power regulator modules (“PRMs”) to achieve precise regulation. The VTM may convert power bi-directionally to return power to the bus during a “load dump.” Energy storage at the input to the VTM is greater than energy storage at the load.